[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19346-19347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9236]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD; Amendment 39-9201; AD 95-08-12]
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model
MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1,
A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters, that requires a modification
of the latches on the transmission and engine cowling access doors.
This amendment is prompted by five occurrences of an engine or
transmission cowling access door becoming loose in flight. The actions
specified by this 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: Effective May 23, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 23, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Monschke, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5116, fax
(817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
[[Page 19347]] Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an
airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter
Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 helicopters was published in
the Federal Register on September 13, 1994 (59 FR 46946). That action
proposed to 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.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter states that some of the language in the AD should be
changed. Specifically, the commenter believes that the words ``access
door becoming loose in flight'' and ``resulting in loss of control of
the helicopter'', which were used to describe the unsafe condition, are
misleading. According to the commenter, use of proper locking
procedures will prevent the doors from becoming loose in flight. Also,
there have not been any incidents in which there has been a loss of
control of the helicopter. The FAA does not concur. The FAA has
determined that the current latches can become worn and loose and
subsequently fail, even if properly latched. Thus far, loose cowling
doors have only caused damage to main rotor blades. However, the FAA
has determined that main rotor blade damage as well as other resultant
damage from loose cowling doors could result in loss of control of the
helicopter.
After a careful review of the available data, including the
comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed, except
that the words ``cowlings, fire walls, and fuselage'' were added to
paragraph (a) of the AD to clarify that, in addition to modifying the
transmission and engine cowlings, the appropriate mating components
also needed to be installed on the cowlings, firewalls, and fuselage.
Additionally, the helicopter models were listed to avoid confusion
regarding the applicability of the rule. Finally, the FAA has revised
the proposed estimated average labor rate from $55 per work hour to an
estimated average labor rate of $60 per work hour in the preamble
portion of this final rule. This revision will increase the estimated
total cost of the AD from $390,474 to $418,824. The FAA has determined
that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any
operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
The FAA estimates that 126 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 45 work hours per
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$624 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $418,824.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
95-08-12 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD): Amendment 39-9201.
Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD.
Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1
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, cowlings, fire walls, and fuselage 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 Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with MBB-
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK 117-20-104, Revision
1, dated December 8, 1989. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
Texas 75053-4005. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the
Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on May 23, 1995.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 10, 1995.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-9236 Filed 4-17-95; 8:45 am]
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