[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 15 (Monday, January 24, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3583-3584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1642]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 15 / Monday, January 24, 2000 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 3583]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-72-AD; Amendment 39-11523; AD 99-26-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation Model K1200 
Helicopters

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY:  This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Emergency Priority Letter Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-26-
04, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) Model K1200 helicopters by 
individual letters. This AD requires, before the first flight of each 
day, inspecting for clutch assembly integrity. Replacing any 
unairworthy clutch assembly with an airworthy clutch assembly is 
required before further flight. This amendment is prompted by two 
incidents of engine adapter flange failure and loss of power to the 
main rotors. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the engine adapter flange, loss of power to the main rotors, 
and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES:  Effective February 8, 2000, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency Priority Letter 
AD 99-26-04, issued on December 8, 1999, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-72-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Wayne E. Gaulzetti, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone (781) 238-7156, fax 
(781) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  On December 8, 1999, the FAA issued 
Emergency Priority Letter AD 99-26-04, applicable to Kaman Model K1200 
helicopters, which requires, before the first flight of each day, 
inspecting for clutch assembly integrity. Replacing any unairworthy 
clutch assembly with an airworthy clutch assembly is required before 
further flight. That action was prompted by two incidents of engine 
adapter flange failure and loss of power to the main rotors. One 
incident resulted in autorotation into trees with resulting loss of 
main rotor blades. The second incident resulted in a forced 
autorotation and damage to the nose landing gear. Subsequent 
investigation revealed that internal transmission clutch damage caused 
an engine adapter flange failure. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in failure of the engine adapter flange, loss of power to 
the main rotors, and a subsequent forced landing.
    The FAA has reviewed Kaman K-1200 K-MAX Maintenance Manual 
Temporary Revision (TR) No. 284, dated November 5, 1999, which revises 
the procedures for engine area daily inspections and TR No. 289, dated 
November 12, 1999, which describes the method of inspecting the 
transmission assembly.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other Kaman Model K1200 helicopters of the same type design, the FAA 
issued Emergency Priority Letter AD 99-26-04 to prevent failure of the 
engine adapter flange, loss of power to the main rotors, and a 
subsequent forced landing. The AD requires, before the first flight of 
each day, inspecting for clutch assembly integrity. Replacing any 
unairworthy clutch assembly with an airworthy clutch assembly is 
required before further flight. The short compliance time involved is 
required because the previously described critical unsafe condition can 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the helicopter. Therefore, 
inspecting for clutch assembly integrity before the first flight of 
each day and replacing any unairworthy clutch assembly is required 
prior to further flight, and this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on December 8, 1999 to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
Kaman Model K1200 helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the AD 
is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 
39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it 
effective to all persons.
    The FAA estimates that 21 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
helicopter to inspect the clutch assembly and 5 work hours per 
helicopter to replace the clutch assembly, if necessary. The average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts, if replacement of a 
clutch assembly is necessary, will cost approximately $16,000 per 
helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $459,500 per year, assuming 300 
clutch assembly inspections, per helicopter, per year, and replacement 
of 5 unairworthy clutch assemblies.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be

[[Page 3584]]

amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that 
supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in 
evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether 
additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 99-SW-72-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

AD 99-26-04 Kaman Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-11523. Docket 
No. 99-SW-72-AD.

    Applicability: Model K-1200 helicopters, with clutch assembly, 
part number (P/N) K974002-701, installed, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required before the first flight of each day.
    To prevent failure of the engine adapter flange, loss of power 
to the main rotors, and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Inspect the integrity of the clutch assembly, in a location 
where background noise would not hinder evaluation, by firmly and 
uniformly rotating the Kaflex shaft in the anti-rotating direction 
(counter-clockwise looking forward) while maintaining hand contact. 
The anti-rotation speed should be approximately one-fourth to one-
half revolution per second. An unairworthy clutch will feel rough 
with a continuous dry ``raspy'' feel and sound, or it may feel as 
though the clutch has heavy detents or ``catches'' on the interior 
surface that impede the free rotary motion.
    (b) Remove any unairworthy clutch assembly, P/N K974002-701, 
before further flight and replace with an airworthy clutch assembly.

    Note 2: Kaman K-1200 K-MAX Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 
(TR) No. 284, dated November 5, 1999, which revises the procedures 
for engine area daily inspections and TR No. 289, dated November 12, 
1999, which describes the method of inspecting the transmission 
assembly, pertain to the subject of this AD.

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then 
send it to the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    (d) 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2000, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Emergency Priority Letter AD 99-26-04, issued December 
8, 1999, which contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 13, 2000.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-1642 Filed 1-21-00; 8:45 am]
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