[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 92 (Friday, May 11, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27661-27663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11470]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0500; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-014-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 all 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) model EC135 helicopters, except the 
EC 135 P2+ and T2+. This proposed AD was prompted by two reports of the 
plain journal bearings moving in relation to the main rotor swashplate 
sliding sleeve (sliding sleeve). The actions specified by this proposed 
AD are intended to detect shifting of the plain journal bearing, which 
could limit the movement of the collective control and result in 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 10, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

[[Page 27662]]

     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket 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 AD docket contains this proposed AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
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. You may review a copy of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5130, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued AD No. 
2009-0272, dated December 18, 2009 (AD 2009-0272), to correct an unsafe 
condition for Eurocopter Model EC 135 and EC 635 helicopters. EASA 
advises that during two separate pre-flight checks on Model EC 135 
helicopters in 2005, it was detected that one of the plain journal 
bearings of the sliding sleeve had moved to the outside of the sliding 
sleeve. EASA states that this condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to a complete shift of the plain journal bearing to the 
inside or outside, creating the possibility of a limited movement of 
the collective, which could result in reduced control of the 
helicopter.

FAA's 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, its technical representative, has notified 
us of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are proposing this 
AD because we evaluated all known relevant information and determined 
that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type designs.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-62A-021, 
dated June 23, 2005 (EC135-62A-021). EC135-62A-021 describes procedures 
for visually checking the upper and lower plain journal bearings of the 
sliding sleeve during preflight. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory 
and issued AD 2009-0272 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, at intervals not to exceed 5 hours 
time in service (TIS), visually inspecting the upper and lower plain 
journal bearings of the sliding sleeve to detect a dislocated plain 
journal bearing on Eurocopter Model EC 135 P1, P2, T1, and T2 
helicopters with swashplate sliding sleeve, part number (P/N) 
L623M2006101, installed.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    This proposed AD differs from the EASA AD as follows:
     This proposed AD requires the inspection to be performed 
by a mechanic, and repeated every 5 hours TIS. AD 2009-0272 allows the 
visual inspection to be accomplished by a pilot during preflight 
inspection.
     This proposed AD does not require contacting ECD customer 
service for corrective actions.
     This proposed AD provides terminating action for the 
inspection requirements for the upper and lower plain journal bearings 
by replacing the swashplate assembly with a later-design swashplate 
assembly, P/N L623M2005103.
     The EASA AD applies to ECD model EC635 aircraft, and this 
proposed AD does not because the EC635 does not have an FAA issued 
type-certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 218 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD. Inspecting the upper and lower plain 
journal bearings requires about .25 work hour at an average labor rate 
of $85 per hour, for a cost per helicopter of $22 and a total cost to 
the U.S. operator fleet of $4,796 per inspection cycle. If required, 
replacing the swashplate assembly will require about 8 work hours at an 
average labor rate of $85 per hour, and required parts will cost about 
$38,586, for a total cost per helicopter of $39,266.

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.

[[Page 27663]]

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. 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, I certify 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);
    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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH: Docket No. FAA-2012-0500; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-SW-014-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model 
EC135 helicopters, except EC 135 P2+ and EC135 T2+, with a 
swashplate assembly, part number (P/N) L623M2006101, installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as movement of the plain 
journal bearings to the outside of the main rotor swashplate sliding 
sleeve (sliding sleeve). This condition could limit movement of the 
collective and result in subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(c) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(d) Required Actions

    Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 5 hours TIS:
    (1) Visually inspect the position of the upper plain journal 
bearings and determine if it is flush with the sliding sleeve.

    Note 1:  Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-
62A-021, dated June 23, 2005, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the inspection.

    (2) Visually inspect the lower plain journal bearing and 
determine if it is recessed 2 millimeters from the sliding sleeve.
    (3) If the upper plain journal bearing is not flush with the 
sliding sleeve or the lower plain journal bearing is not recessed 
2mm, before further flight, replace the swashplate assembly with an 
airworthy swashplate assembly.
    (4) Replacing the swashplate assembly, P/N L623M2006101, with a 
later designed swashplate assembly, P/N L623M2005103, constitutes a 
terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-
5130, email: [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a Part 119 operating 
certificate or under Part 91, Subpart K, we suggest that you notify 
your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the 
manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate 
holding district office before operating any aircraft complying with 
this AD through an AMOC.

(f) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-62A-021, dated June 
23, 2005, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. For service 
information identified in this AD, contact 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. You may review a copy of the service information 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD 2009-0272, dated December 18, 2009.

 (g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230: Main Rotor 
Mast/Swashplate.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 2, 2012.
Carlton N. Cochran,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11470 Filed 5-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P