[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7312-7313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02245]



[[Page 7312]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0021; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-040-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters. This proposed AD would require changing the direction of 
the bolt connecting the upper clevis bolt of a specific bellcrank in 
the main rotor assembly, repetitively inspecting the bearings in the 
bellcrank assemblies for correct staking, and replacing a bellcrank if 
a bearing is staked incorrectly. This proposed AD is prompted by 
improperly staked bellcrank bearings, which may cause the bellcrank to 
shift in the axial direction and cause chafing. The proposed actions 
are intended to prevent contact between the bolts on certain main rotor 
bellcranks, which could result in chafing and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 2, 2013.

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.
     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 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. You may review copies 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: Jim Grigg, ASW-112, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5126, fax (817) 
222-5961, 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 Community, has issued EASA 
AD No. 2010-0045, 2nd Correction, dated March 30, 2010, to correct an 
unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. 
EASA advises that during inspections on these model helicopters, 
bellcrank bearings have been discovered that were incorrectly staked. 
EASA advises that this condition, if not detected and corrected, may 
cause the affected bellcrank to shift in the axial direction and cause 
chafing. This could lead to interference between the bolts connecting 
the control rods to Bellcrank-Q and Bellcrank-K, possibly resulting 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 exists and is likely to exist or develop on 
other helicopters of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB BK117 C-2-67A-
011, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2010 (ASB), which specifies 
checking the attachment of the bearings, changing the direction of the 
bellcrank bolt, and, if necessary, replacing damaged parts. EASA 
classified this ASB as mandatory and issued EASA AD No. 2010-0045, 2nd 
Correction, dated March 30, 2010, to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require compliance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 3.B. and 3.C., of the manufacturer's service 
bulletin.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    We refer to a check of the bearings as an inspection of the 
bearings. We require an inspection within 100 hours time-in-service 
rather than mandating a date or requiring that the part accumulate 50 
flight hours after installation. We refer to the ``attachment'' of the 
bearings as ``staking'' of the bearings. We added the words ``chafing 
or corrosion'' to define damage to the parts. We do not mandate 
compliance with the entire ASB, but rather specific paragraphs.

[[Page 7313]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 96 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD.
     1 work hour to inspect the bolt, and
     2 work hours to replace the bolt at an average labor rate 
of $85 per work hour.
    Based on these figures ($85 x 3 hours), we estimate the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators in the first year to be 
$255 per helicopter or $24,480 for the U.S. fleet.
    If a bellcrank or bearing block is to be replaced, we estimate the 
following costs:
     10 hours to change a bellcrank (assuming all 3 are 
replaced) for a labor cost of $850 per helicopter, and
     10 hours to change a bearing block for a labor cost of 
$850 per helicopter.
    Required parts would cost about:
     $4,632 for a Bellcrank-Q,
     $3,294 for a Bellcrank-K,
     $4,411 for a Bellcrank-L, and
     $1,150 for a bearing block.

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.

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

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new Airworthiness 
Directive (AD):

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2013-0021; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-SW-040-AD.

 (a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with 
Bellcrank-Q part number (P/N) B671M7004101, Bellcrank-K P/N 
B670M7021101, or Bellcrank-L P/N B671M7003101 installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as interference between the 
connecting control rods to bolts on Bellcranks Q and K. This 
condition could result in chafing and 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

    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), change the direction 
of the bolt connecting the upper clevis bolt of Bellcrank-Q as 
depicted in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB 
BK117 C-2-67A-011, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2010 (ASB), and by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B. of the 
ASB.
    (2) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS, using 
a suitable light source and a mirror, inspect the bearings in the 
bellcrank assemblies for correct staking of the bearings as depicted 
in Figure 2 of the ASB. The bearings should be flush mounted, and 
there should be a space between the bellcrank and bearing block.
    (3) If there is an incorrectly staked bearing, before further 
flight:
    (i) Replace the bellcrank with an airworthy bellcrank; and
    (ii) Inspect the bearing block for damage (a crack, deformation, 
mechanical damage, or corrosion). If damage exceeds allowable 
limits, replace the bearing block with an airworthy bearing block. 
If damage is within allowable limits, repair the bearing block.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg, ASW-112, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-
5126, fax (817) 222-5961, email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR 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) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact 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. You may 
review copies of the referenced 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 EASA AD No. 2010-
0045, 2nd Correction, dated March 30, 2010.

 (g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) 6710: Bellcrank Bearings 
and Bearing Block.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 9, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02245 Filed 1-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P