[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8205-8206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3514]



      
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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 1995 / 
Proposed Rules  
[[Page 8205]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-SW-19-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 
initial and repetitive inspections of the main rotor (M/R) blade upper 
and lower surface for bulging. This proposal is prompted by two 
reported incidents in which a balance weight became detached from 
inside the M/R blade structure and migrated toward the tip of the M/R 
blade. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect 
movement of a balance weight to prevent severe vibrations and a 
subsequent precautionary landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 94-SW-19-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137. 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. Richard Monschke, 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 No. 94-SW-19-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-19-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, which is the airworthiness authority for 
the Federal Republic of Germany, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model 
MBB-BK 117 series helicopters. The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt advises that the 
M/R blade upper and lower surfaces in the area of the balance weights 
may bulge or have creep deformations.
    Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) has issued Alert Service Bulletin 
ASB-MBB-BK 117-10-108, Revision 1, dated October 14, 1994, which 
specifies initial and repetitive inspections of the upper and lower 
surfaces of the main rotor blades for bulging in the area of the 
outboard lead balance weight. The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 94-280 in order to assure 
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in the Federal 
Republic of Germany.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in the Federal Republic of 
Germany and is type certificated for operation in the United States 
under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness 
agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the 
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt has kept the FAA informed of the situation 
described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model MBB-
BK 117 series helicopters of the same type design registered in the 
United States, the proposed AD would require initial and repetitive 
inspections of the M/R blade upper and lower surface for bulging. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 125 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately one-half 
work hour per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $3,750.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects [[Page 8206]] 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-19-AD.

    Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 A-1,P A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-
1 helicopters, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect movement of a balance weight, severe vibrations, and a 
subsequent precautionary landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 5 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, and thereafter, at intervals not to 
exceed 50 hours TIS, visually inspect the upper and lower surface of 
the main rotor blades (blades) in the area of the outboard lead 
balance weight in the marked inspection area for signs of bulging, 
in accordance with Paragraph 2.A. of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Alert Service Bulletin ASB-MBB-
BK 117-10-108, Revision 1, dated October 14, 1994.
    (b) If a marked inspection area is not visible, mark the area in 
accordance with Paragraph 2.A. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Alert Service Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK 
117-10-108, Revision 1, dated October 14, 1994, and then inspect in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) If bulging exceeds 1mm in height, remove the blade and 
replace it with an airworthy blade in accordance with the applicable 
maintenance manual.
    (d) 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.
    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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 February 6, 1995.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-3514 Filed 2-10-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P