[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22626]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model 
MBB-BK 117 Series Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) 
Model MBB-BK 117 series helicopters. This proposal would require a 
modification of the latches on the transmission and engine cowlings 
access doors. This proposal is prompted by five occurrences of an 
engine or transmission cowling access door becoming loose in flight. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the 
transmission and engine cowling access doors from opening in flight, 
being struck by the main rotor blade, and subsequently, separating from 
the helicopter and being ingested by the main rotor or tail rotor 
system resulting in a loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137-4298. Comments may be inspected at this location between 
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Samuel E. Brodie, Aerospace 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5116, fax 
(817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-SW-06-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137-4298.

Discussion

    This notice proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model 
MBB-BK 117 series helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 7001 through 7201. 
Since 1986, there have been five reports of the engine or transmission 
cowling access doors opening in flight which, in several cases, 
resulted in damage to the main rotor blades.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved MBB-Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK 117-20-104, Revision 1, dated December 8, 1989, 
that describes procedures for removing and modifying various latches of 
the access doors of the transmission and engine cowlings, installing 
new locks, and providing the cowlings, firewalls, and fuselage with 
appropriate mating components. Transmission and engine cowlings that 
open in flight can damage the rotor systems and, therefore, create an 
unsafe condition.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other ECD Model MBB-BK 117 helicopters of the same 
type design, the proposed AD would require replacing the current 
latches with those having positive locks, relocating certain latches, 
and installing additional locks on the transmission and engine cowling 
access doors within the next 150 hours time-in-service. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 126 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 45 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $624 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$390,474.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD): Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 helicopters, serial numbers 7001 
through 7201, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the transmission and engine cowling access doors from 
opening in flight, being struck by the main rotor blade, and 
subsequently, separating from the helicopter and being ingested by 
the main rotor or tail rotor system resulting in a loss of control 
of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 150 hours time-in-service, remove the left 
hand and right hand transmission and engine cowlings without 
removing the transmission and engine cowling access doors that are 
installed on the transmission and engine cowlings, and modify the 
access door latches in accordance with the Work Procedure contained 
in the Accomplishment Instructions of MBB-Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK 117-20-104, Revision 1, dated December 8, 1989.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used when approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or 
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulation (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 6, 1994.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22626 Filed 9-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P