[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76068-76070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31254]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1285; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-073-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-1, BO-
105LS A-3, and BO-105S helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting certain main rotor blades for debonding of the erosion 
protective shell. If the erosion protective shell is debonded, you 
would be required to replace the main rotor blade with an airworthy 
main rotor blade. This proposed AD is prompted by the results of an 
inspection on a BO-105 helicopter where debonding was discovered on a 
main rotor blade erosion protective shell, and it was determined that 
the debonding was due to incorrect installation of the erosion 
protective shell. Subsequently, an incident occurred where a BO-105 
helicopter lost its main rotor blade erosion protective shell during 
flight. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
detect debonding of the main rotor blade erosion protective shell which 
could lead to an unbalanced main rotor, high vibrations, damage to the 
tail boom or tail rotor, and loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 6, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed 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.

[[Page 76069]]

    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, TX 75052, telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323, fax 
(972) 641-3775, or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Manager, FAA, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
TX 76137, telephone (817) 222-5126, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the Docket No. ``FAA-2011-
1285, Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-073-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 proposed rulemaking. 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 or signed 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).

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information 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.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued 
Emergency AD No. 2010-0216-E, dated October 21, 2010 (corrected October 
29, 2010), to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Deutschland 
Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105D, BO-105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-3, and BO-
105S helicopters, all variants (except CB-5 and DBS-5, which are 
military models.) EASA advises that during an inspection on a BO-105 
helicopter, debonding was found on the erosion protective shell of a 
main rotor blade, and it was determined that the debonding was caused 
by incorrect installation of the erosion protective shell. In addition, 
EASA states that an incident occurred where a second BO-105 helicopter 
lost its erosion protective shell during flight. EASA advises that this 
condition, if not detected, could result in loss of the main rotor 
blade erosion protective shell during flight, leading to an unbalanced 
main rotor and high vibrations, which could result in damage to the 
tail boom or tail rotor, loss of tail rotor control, and loss of 
control of the helicopter.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter Deutschland has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 
No. BO105-10-124, dated July 14, 2010, for the Model BO105 helicopter, 
with a main rotor blade, part number (P/N) 105-15103, 105-15141, 105-
15141V001, 105-15143, 105-15150, 105-15150V001, 105-15152, 105-81013, 
105-87214, 1120-15101, or 1120-15103, where the main rotor blade 
erosion protective shell was replaced between September 2006 and March 
2010. Eurocopter Deutschland also issued Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin BO105LS-10-12 for the Model BO105LS A-3 helicopter, dated July 
14, 2010, with a main rotor blade, part P/N 105-15141, where the main 
rotor blade erosion protective shell was replaced between September 
2006 and March 2010. Both Emergency Alert Service Bulletins specified a 
one-time inspection of the main rotor blades within the next 50 flight 
hours to determine if debonding of the main rotor blade erosion 
protective shell has occurred. Both Service Bulletins exclude 
helicopters from this inspection if each main rotor blade was inspected 
at the last 600 flight hour inspection and no debonding was detected 
during the inspection.
    In response to the incident where the helicopter lost its main 
rotor blade erosion protective shell during flight, Eurocopter 
Deutschland has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. BO105-10-
124, Revision 1, dated October 18, 2010, and Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin BO105LS-10-12, Revision 1, dated October 20, 2010. These 
Service Bulletins specify the same inspection requirements as the 
original Service Bulletins, but revise the inspection compliance time 
from 50 flight hours to 10 flight hours. EASA classified these Service 
Bulletins as mandatory, and issued EASA Emergency AD No. 2010-0216-E, 
dated October 21, 2010 (corrected October 29, 2010) to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, EASA, their technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
their AD. We are proposing 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 products of these same type 
designs. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of each 
main rotor blade for debonding of the main rotor blade erosion 
protective shell within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), for helicopters 
with a main rotor blade, P/N 105-15103, 105-15141, 105-15141V001, 105-
15143, 105-15150, 105-15150V001, 105-15152, 105-81013, 105-87214, 1120-
15101, or 1120-15103, where the main rotor blade erosion protective 
shell was replaced between September 2006 and March 2010. If debonding 
is detected during the inspection, before further flight, you would be 
required to replace the main rotor blade with an airworthy main rotor 
blade.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The differences between this proposed AD and the EASA AD are:
     This proposed AD uses the term ``hours time-in-service'' 
to describe compliance times, and the EASA AD uses ``flight hours.''
     The EASA AD allows compliance within ``10 flight hours, or 
4 flight cycles, or 4 weeks, whichever occurs first,'' and this 
proposed AD would require compliance within 50 hours TIS.
     The EASA AD allows you to replace the main rotor blade 
erosion protective shell if debonding is detected, and this proposed AD 
would require you to replace the main rotor blade with an airworthy 
main rotor blade if debonding is detected.
     The EASA AD is applicable to the Model BO-105D helicopter, 
and this proposed AD does not include this model because it does not 
have a type-certificate in the U.S.

[[Page 76070]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 97 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take about 1.0 work-hour per 
helicopter to do the inspection, at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $8,245, or $85 per product. If debonding is 
found, we estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours to replace the 
main rotor blade, and required parts would cost $114,182, for a cost of 
$114,352. We have no way of determining how many operators would incur 
these costs.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, this proposed 
AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
a regulatory distinction is required; 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD. See the AD docket to examine the economic 
evaluation.

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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 
(AD) to read as follows:

Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH: Docket No. FAA-2011-1285; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-SW-073-AD.

    Applicability: Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-
3, and BO-105S helicopters, all serial numbers, with a main rotor 
blade, part number (P/N) 105-15103, 105-15141, 105-15141V001, 105-
15143, 105-15150, 105-15150V001, 105-15152, 105-81013, 105-87214, 
1120-15101, or 1120-15103; where the main rotor blade erosion 
protective shell was replaced between September 2006 and March 2010; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To detect debonding of the main rotor blade erosion protective 
shell, which could lead to an unbalanced main rotor, high vibration, 
damage to the tail boom or tail rotor, and loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the main rotor blade for debonding of the erosion 
protective shell. If debonding is detected during the inspection, 
before further flight, replace the main rotor blade with an 
airworthy main rotor blade.

    Note 1: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin No. BO105-10-124, Revision 1, dated October 18, 2010, and 
No. BO105LS-10-12, Revision 1, dated October 20, 2010, which are not 
incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the 
subject of this AD.

    (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, Regulations and Policy Group, FAA, ATTN: Jim 
Grigg, Manager, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 
telephone: (817) 222-5122; fax: (817) 222-5126, for information 
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component Code is 6210: Main Rotor 
Blades.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD 2010-0216-E, dated October 21, 2010 (corrected 
October 29, 2010).


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 29, 2011.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-31254 Filed 12-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P