[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23696-23698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09410]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0020; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-107-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) 
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 ECD 
Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting the rigging of the power-boosted control system and, if 
there is a nonparallel gap between the rigging wedges and the inner 
sleeves, performing a rigging procedure. This proposed AD is prompted 
by the discovery, during rigging of the main rotor controls, of 
movement of the longitudinal main rotor actuator piston after shut-down 
of the external pump drive. Such movement could cause incorrect rigging 
results. The proposed actions are intended to prevent incorrect rigging 
results, which could impair freedom of movement of the upper controls 
and subsequent reduced control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 21, 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 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, Manager, FAA, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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. 
2010-0248, dated November 26, 2010 (AD 2010-0248), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the ECD Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. EASA advises 
that during rigging of the main rotor controls, it was

[[Page 23697]]

discovered that the piston of the longitudinal main rotor actuator had 
moved after shut-down of the external pump drive.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters 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, 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 the same type design.

Related Service Information

    ECD has issued Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB BK117 C-2-67A-012, 
Revision 0, dated September 20, 2010 (ASB). The ASB specifies a one-
time verification of the correct adjustment of the rigging of the main 
rotor controls and provides the corresponding test procedure. The ASB 
further provides an improved rigging procedure as a temporary revision 
to the ECD BK117C2 Aircraft Maintenance Manual. EASA classified this 
ASB as mandatory and issued AD 2010-0248 to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require inspecting the rigging of the power-
boosted control system and performing a rigging procedure if there is a 
nonparallel gap between the rigging wedges and the inner sleeves.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    We do not require inserting temporary changes into the performance 
section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 108 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this proposed AD:
     $680 for 8 work hours per helicopter to inspect the main 
rotor control rigging at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour;
     No additional costs are associated with rigging 
adjustment, if necessary; and
     $73,440 for the total cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators.

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 (ECD): Docket No. FAA-2013-0020; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-107-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as movement of the 
longitudinal main rotor actuator piston after shut-down of the 
external pump drive, during rigging of the main rotor controls, 
causing an incorrect rigging result. This condition could impair 
freedom of movement of the upper controls and subsequently reduce 
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 300 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Inspect the rigging of the power-boosted control system, 
referencing Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB 
BK117 C-2-67A-012, Revision 0, dated September 20, 2010 (ASB). 
Ensure the piston of the longitudinal actuator (right-hand side) is 
held in the fully extended position and the piston of the lateral 
actuator (left-hand side) is held in the fully retracted position 
against the mechanical stop. Also, ensure the gauge block is clamped 
between the sliding sleeve and the support tube.
    (2) Insert the rigging wedges with the 25.4 degree (item 8) and 
19.5 degree (item 7) markings in the ``A'' side of the guide grooves 
of the rigging device (item 3).
    (3) If the gap between the rigging wedges (items 7 and 8) and 
the inner sleeves (item 9) is closed, the rigging is correct.
    (4) If there is a nonparallel gap between the rigging wedges 
(items 7 and 8) and the inner sleeves (item 9), the rigging is not 
correct. Perform a rigging procedure.

(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, Manager, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137, telephone 
(817) 222-5110, 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.

[[Page 23698]]

(f) Additional Information

    (1) For service information identified in this 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 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 European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2010-0248, dated November 26, 2010.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6710 Main Rotor 
Control.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 11, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09410 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P