[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 181 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56273-56275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23860]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-23-AD]
RIN No. 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 
P1 and EC135 T1 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) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model EC135 P1 and 
EC135 T1 helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting the 
hydraulic line shielding hose (hose), replacing any unairworthy hose 
with an airworthy hose, and installing a nylon cable tie. This proposal 
is prompted by the tail rotor drive shaft Thomas coupling contacting 
and chafing the hose that shields the fenestron tail rotor hydraulic 
lines. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
damage to the hose, leaking of accumulated hydraulic fluid to an area 
with an ignition source, inflight fire, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-23-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically 
to the Rules Docket at the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments may be inspected at the Office of the Regional Counsel between 
9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Monschke, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, 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

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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 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 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 mailed 
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. 2000-SW-23-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 Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-23-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    ECD issued Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-29A-003, dated February 
24, 1999 (ASB), which specifies inspecting the hose, changing the hose 
if necessary, and also fitting with a ty-rap if necessary.
    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 14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral 
airworthiness agreement. The FAA has examined the findings, 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.
    The FAA has identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist 
or develop on other ECD Model EC135 P1 and EC135 T1 helicopters of the 
same type design registered in the United States. The proposed AD would 
require, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the hose to 
determine if the tail rotor drive shaft Thomas coupling near the No. 1 
hanger bearing is rubbing against the hose. The purpose of the hose is 
to prevent any accumulated or pressurized hydraulic fluid from entering 
an engine compartment with elevated temperatures that could start a 
fire. If damage is found, the proposed AD would require replacing the 
unairworthy hose with an airworthy hose within 25 hours TIS. The AD 
would also require, within 50 hours TIS, installing a nylon cable tie 
to increase the clearance between the drive shaft and the hose. 
Inspecting, replacing any unairworthy hose with an airworthy hose, and 
installing a nylon cable tie constitutes terminating action for this 
AD. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with 
the ASB described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 25 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 9.75 
work hours 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 $14,625 assuming no parts will be required.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. 2000-SW-23-AD.
    Applicability: Model EC135 P1 and EC135 T1 helicopters, serial 
numbers 0005 through 0094 with hydraulic line shielding hose DN 56 
(hose), part number (P/N) L290M20X1 001, 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent damage to the hose, leaking of accumulated hydraulic 
fluid to an area with an ignition source, inflight fire, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS),
    (1) Inspect the hose in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.A., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
EC 135 29A-003, dated February 24, 1999 (ASB). If a damaged hose is 
found, within 25 hours TIS, replace the unairworthy hose with an 
airworthy hose in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.B., of the ASB.
    (2) Install a nylon cable tie in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.C., of the ASB.
    (b) Inspecting the hose, replacing any unairworthy hose with an 
airworthy hose, and installing a nylon cable tie constitute 
terminating action for the requirements 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, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and 
then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the

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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 September 8, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-23860 Filed 9-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U