[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40047-40050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15956]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0555; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-047-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 (ECD) Model EC135 and MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery during a 
routine inspection of loose flight control bearings because of 
incorrect installation. This proposed AD would require inspecting the 
flight-control bearings repetitively, replacing any loose bearing with 
an airworthy flight-control bearing, and installing bushings and 
washers. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the affected 
control lever from shifting, contacting the helicopter structure, and 
reducing control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 3, 
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, TX 76137.

[[Page 40048]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 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. 
2010-0058, dated March 30, 2010, (AD 2010-0058), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the ECD Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, EC 135 and EC 635 
helicopters. EASA advises that during an inspection of an MBB-BK 117 C-
2, ``bearings were detected which had not been correctly fixed.'' As 
some bearings on the EC 135 and MBB-BK 117 C-2 type designs are 
installed with the same procedure, they are equally affected by the 
possibility of the unsafe condition. EASA states that this condition, 
if not corrected, could result in the affected control lever shifting 
in the axial direction, contacting the helicopter structure, and 
subsequently reducing 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 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 products of these 
same type designs.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB BK117 C-2-
67A-010, Revision 3, dated February 8, 2010, and ASB EC135-67A-019, 
Revision 3, dated December 16, 2009. These ASBs specify:
     Within the next 50 flight hours (FHs), inspecting the 
affected bearings and, if necessary, rebonding any affected bearings or 
replacing the lever assembly.
     Within 12 months, retrofitting bushings on the levers to 
prevent movement of the bearings.
     After the retrofit, repeating the inspection every 800 FHs 
or 36 months for the Model EC 135 helicopters, whichever comes first, 
and 600 FHs or 24 months, whichever comes first, for the Model MBB-BK 
117 C-2 helicopters.
    EASA classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued AD 2010-0058 to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    For EC135 helicopters, this proposed AD would require, within 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next annual inspection, whichever 
occurs first, modifying the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) guidance 
units and the cyclic shaft by installing bushings and washers to 
prevent shifting in the axial direction. This proposed AD would require 
at intervals not to exceed 800 hours TIS or 36 months, whichever occurs 
first, inspecting the bearings in the LH guidance unit, the RH guidance 
unit, cyclic control, upper guidance unit, and linear voltage 
differential transducer plate for play. If any bearing is loose, the 
proposed AD would require replacing the affected bearing with an 
airworthy bearing.
    For MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, this proposed AD would require, 
within 100 hours TIS or at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs 
first, modifying the LH and RH guidance units and the lateral control 
lever by installing bushings and washers to prevent shifting of the 
bearings in the axial direction. This proposed AD also would require at 
intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS or 24 months, whichever occurs 
first, inspecting the bearings in the RH guidance unit, LH guidance 
unit, and lateral control guidance unit for play. If any bearing is 
loose, the proposed AD would require replacing the affected bearing 
with an airworthy bearing.

Differences between this Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    Differences between this proposed AD and the EASA AD are:
     The EASA AD is applicable to the EC 635 helicopter, 
whereas this proposed AD is not because the EC 635 helicopter is not 
type certificated in the U.S.
     The EASA AD requires an initial inspection within 50 
flight hours or one month, whichever occurs first after May 31, 2008, 
and a modification within the next 12 months. This proposed AD would 
require the modification within 100 hours TIS or at the next annual 
inspection, whichever occurs first, and no inspection until after the 
modification has been accomplished.
     The EASA AD provides requirements for certain spare parts, 
whereas this proposed AD does not.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 175 Model EC135 and 
112 Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that labor 
costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these estimates, we would 
expect the following costs:
     For EC135 helicopters, it would take about 32 work-hours 
to perform the modification. Parts would cost about $312. The total 
cost for the modification would be about $3,032 per helicopter and 
$530,600 for the U.S. operator fleet. The repetitive inspections would 
require 6.5 work-hours for a cost of about $553 per helicopter and 
about $96,775 for the fleet per inspection cycle.
     For MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, it would take about 32 
work-hours to perform the modification. Parts would cost about $396. 
The total cost for the modification would be $3,116 per helicopter and 
$348,992 for the U.S. operator fleet. The cost for the repetitive 
inspections thereafter would be about $85 per helicopter and $9,520 for 
the fleet per inspection cycle.

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

[[Page 40049]]

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-2013-0555; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-SW-047-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, 
T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters, serial number (S/N) 0005 through 00829, 
with a tail rotor control lever, part number (P/N) L672M2802205 or 
L672M1012212; cyclic control lever, P/N L671M1005250; collective 
control lever assembly, P/N L671M2020108; or collective control 
plate, P/N L671M5040207; installed; and
    (2) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, S/N 9004 through 9310, 
with a tail rotor control lever assembly, P/N B672M1007101 or 
B672M1807101; tail rotor control lever, P/N B672M1002202 or 
L672M2802205; or lateral control lever assembly, P/N B670M1008101, 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrectly installed 
flight control bearings. This condition could cause the affected 
control lever to shift and contact the helicopter structure, 
resulting in reduced control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 3, 2013.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) For Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters:
    (i) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the 
next annual inspection, whichever occurs, modify the left-hand (LH) 
and right-hand (RH) guidance units and the cyclic shaft by 
installing bushings and washers to prevent shifting of the bearings 
in the axial direction as follows:
    (A) Remove and disassemble the LH guidance unit and install a 
bushing, P/N L672M1012260, between the bearing block and the lever 
of the LH guidance unit as depicted in Detail A of Figure 5 of 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-67A-019, Revision 3, dated 
December 16, 2009 (EC135 ASB).
    (B) For helicopters without a yaw brake, remove and disassemble 
the RH guidance unit and install a bushing, P/N L672M1012260, 
between the bearing block and the lever as depicted in Detail B of 
Figure 5 of EC135 ASB.
    (C) Remove and disassemble the cyclic shaft and install a 
washer, P/N L671M1005260, between the bearing block and the lever as 
depicted in Detail C of Figure 6 of EC135 ASB.
    (D) Remove the collective control rod from the bellcrank and 
install a washer, P/N L221M1042208, on each side of the collective 
control rod and bellcrank as depicted in Detail D of Figure 6 of 
EC135 ASB.
    (E) At intervals not to exceed 800 hours TIS or 36 months, 
whichever occurs first, inspect the bearings in the LH guidance 
unit, RH guidance unit, cyclic control, upper guidance unit, and 
linear voltage differential transducer plate for play. If any 
bearing is loose, replace the affected bearing with an airworthy 
bearing.
    (2) For Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters:
    (i) Within the next 100 hours TIS or at the next annual 
inspection, whichever occurs first, modify the LH and RH guidance 
units and the lateral control lever by installing bushings and 
washers to prevent shifting of the bearings in the axial direction 
as follows:
    (A) Remove and disassemble the RH guidance unit and install a 
bushing, P/N L672M1012260, between the lever and the bracket as 
depicted in Detail B of Figure 4 of Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-67A-010, Revision 3, dated February 8, 2010 
(BK117 ASB). Remove and disassemble the LH guidance unit and install 
a bushing, P/N L672M1012260, between the lever and the bracket as 
depicted in Detail C of Figure 4 of BK117 ASB.
    (B) Remove the lateral control lever and install new bushings in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.C(9)(a) through 3.C(9)(g), of BK 117 ASB.
    (C) Identify the modified lever assembly by writing ``MBB BK117 
C-2-67A-010'' on the lever with permanent marking pen and protect 
with a single layer of lacquer (CM 421 or equivalent).
    (D) Apply corrosion preventive paste (CM 518 or equivalent) on 
the shank of the screws and install airworthy parts as depicted in 
Figure 5 of BK117 ASB.
    (E) At intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS or 24 months, 
whichever occurs first, inspect the bearings in the RH guidance 
unit, LH guidance unit, and lateral control guidance unit for play. 
If any bearing is loose, replace the affected bearing with an 
airworthy bearing.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 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.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD

[[Page 40050]]

No. 2010-0058, dated March 30, 2010. You may view the EASA AD at 
http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2013-0555.

 (h) Subject

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

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 18, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15956 Filed 7-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P