[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68299-68301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27776]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1075; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-011-AD; 
Amendment 39-16836; AD 2011-21-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model 
MBB-BK 117 C-2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
ECD Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This action requires revising the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting certain temporary pages 
into the Emergency and Performance Data sections of the RFM to alert 
the operators to monitor the power display when a generator is 
deactivated and provides appropriate actions. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of too high a current flow when one generator is 
deactivated. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the remaining generator when one generator is deactivated, 
loss of electrical power, loss of systems necessary for flight safety, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 21, 2011.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 21, 2011.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com.
    Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains the 
AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5114, fax 
(817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
No. 2010-0268-E, dated December 21, 2010, to correct an unsafe 
condition for the ECD Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. EASA advises of 
reports that on some helicopters a too high current flow was detected 
when one generator was deactivated (for example, during the ENGINE 
POWER CHECK). EASA also advises that this situation, if not detected 
and corrected, could lead to failure of the generator, likely resulting 
in loss of electrical power and inducing loss of systems that are 
necessary for safe flight. Therefore, the EASA AD requires additional 
RFM procedures to include visual monitoring of the electrical power 
display during switching of a generator. Also, EASA advises that their 
AD is an interim measure pending the development of a final solution 
that will prevent this particular mode of generator failure.

Related Service Information

    ECD has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB BK117 C-2-24A-008, 
dated December 20, 2010 (ASB). The ASB specifies inserting certain 
pages from the ASB into the RFM to alert operators to visually monitor 
the power display generator amperes (GEN AMPS) on the Vehicle and 
Engine Multifunction

[[Page 68300]]

Display (VEMD) for too high a current flow when a generator has been 
deactivated; for example, during the ENGINE POWER CHECK. In such a 
situation, the revised RFM provides instructions for switching off the 
two main electrical buses (BUS TIEs) on the overhead panel to prevent 
the operating generator from being damaged. The ASB states that failure 
of the generator could result in subsequent loss of electrical power 
and loss of systems. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued 
AD No. 2010-0268-E, dated December 21, 2010, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these helicopters.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
the Federal Republic of Germany and are approved for operation in the 
United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the Federal 
Republic of Germany, EASA, their technical representative, has notified 
us of the unsafe condition described in the EASA AD. We are issuing 
this AD because we evaluated all information provided by EASA and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of this same type design.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design. This amendment adopts a new AD for 
ECD Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This action requires revising the 
Emergency Procedures and Performance Data sections of the RFM BK117 C-2 
by copying or cutting out the temporary pages 7, 8, and 11 of the ASB 
and inserting the pages into RFM BK 117 C-2. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of too high a current flow when one generator is 
deactivated. The actions specified in this AD are intended to revise 
the RFM by inserting temporary pages into the Emergency Procedures and 
Performance Data sections. The revisions to the RFM are intended to 
alert pilots to visually monitor the power display GEN AMPS on the VEMD 
when a generator is deactivated to detect too high a current flow and 
to switch off the two BUS TIEs on the overhead panel to prevent the 
operating generator from being damaged. Accomplish the actions by 
copying or cutting out pages 7, 8, and 11 of the ASB described 
previously and inserting them into the Emergency Procedures and 
Performance Data sections of the RFM.
    The short compliance time involved is required because the 
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
controllability or structural integrity of the helicopter. Therefore, 
revising the Emergency and Performance Data sections of the RFM is 
required before further flight, and this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 232 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take a minimal amount of time 
to copy and insert the pages into the RFM. Therefore, the cost of the 
AD will be minimal.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1075; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-SW-011-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the 
docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You 
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2011-21-13 EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GmbH (ECD):

[[Page 68301]]

Amendment 39-16836; Docket No. FAA-2011-1075; Directorate Identifier 
2011-SW-011-AD.

    Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of a generator, loss of electrical power, 
loss of systems necessary for flight safety, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, do the following:
    (a) Revise the ``Emergency and Malfunction Procedures'' and the 
``Performance Data'' sections of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) 
BK117 C-2 by copying or cutting out temporary pages 7, 8, and 11 
(RFM pages 3-3 and 3-3a for ``Emergency and Malfunction Procedures'' 
and page 5-7 for ``Performance Data'') of ECD Alert Service Bulletin 
No. ASB MBB BK117 C-2-24A-008, dated December 20, 2010, and 
inserting the pages into RFM BK 117 C-2.
    (b) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, ATTN: George Schwab, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5114, fax (817) 
222-5961, for information about previously approved alternative 
methods of compliance.
    (c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 2435: 
Starter-Generator, 2437: DC Indicating System, and 2430: DC 
Generator System.
    (d) Revise the Emergency Procedures and Performance Data 
sections of RFM BK 117 C-2 by inserting the specified portions of 
ECD Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB MBB BK117 C-2-24A-008, dated 
December 20, 2010, into the RFM. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved this incorporation by reference 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, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at 
http://www.eurocopter.com. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 21, 2011.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in The European 
Aviation Safety Agency (the Federal Republic of Germany) AD No. 
2010-0268-E, dated December 21, 2010.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 29, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27776 Filed 11-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P