[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67382-67384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26836]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0903; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-043-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus 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 
Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, 
and EC135T2+ helicopters. This proposed AD would require reducing the 
life limit of certain parts and removing each part that has reached its 
life limit. The proposed actions are intended to reduce the life limits 
of certain critical parts to prevent failure of a part and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 12, 
2015.

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 European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, issued EASA AD No. 2013-0178, dated August 7, 2013, to 
correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) 
(now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, 
EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC635T1, EC635P2+, and EC635T2+ helicopters. EASA 
advises that ECD has revised the airworthiness limitations for the 
EC135 and EC635

[[Page 67383]]

type design as published in the Master Servicing Manual (MSM) EC135 
Chapter 04--Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) documents. Revision 
14 of the MSM contains these new airworthiness limitations. EASA states 
that failure to comply with these limitations could result in an unsafe 
condition. For these reasons, EASA AD No. 2013-0178 requires revising 
the ALS to include the new life limits and replacing each part that has 
reached its life limit.

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, the 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 products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    The airworthiness limitations and maintenance procedures for 
certain parts are contained in the Airworthiness Limitations section, 
Chapter 4, of Eurocopter's MSM EC135, dated December 1, 2001. Revision 
14 of the MSM, dated July 1, 2012, establishes a life limit for certain 
part-numbered main rotor blades and reduces the life limits for 
swashplate and mixing lever gear unit parts.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, before further flight, revising the 
ALS of the applicable maintenance manual and the component history card 
or equivalent record by reducing the life limit for various parts and 
removing from service any part that has reached its life limit.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    This proposed AD does not apply to Airbus Helicopters Model 
EC635T1, P2+, or EC635T2+ helicopters because those helicopters are not 
type certificated in the U.S.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 267 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per hour. We 
estimate 2 work hours to update the maintenance manual for a total cost 
of $170 for each helicopter and $45,390 for the U.S. fleet.

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):

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH): Docket No. FAA-2014-0903; Directorate Identifier 
2013-SW-043-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, 
EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a critical 
part, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 12, 2015.

(d) 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.

(e) Required Actions

    Before further flight:
    (1) Revise the life limit of each part listed in paragraphs 
(e)(1)(i) through (ii) in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of 
the applicable maintenance manual and record the revised life limit 
on the component history card or equivalent record as follows:
    (i) For swashplate parts:
    (A) Ring (bearing ring), part number (P/N) L623M2001214, reduce 
the life limit from 8,300 hours time-in-service (TIS) to 8,000 hours 
TIS.
    (B) Ring (control ring), P/N L623M2001213, reduce the life limit 
from 8,300 hours TIS to 8,000 hours TIS.
    (C) Cardan ring (two-part), P/N L623M2005205, reduce the life 
limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.
    (D) Bolt (control ring), P/N L671M7001215, reduce the life limit 
from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.
    (E) Bolt (sliding sleeve), P/N L623M2006206 and P/N 
L623M2006213, reduce the life limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 
hours TIS.
    (ii) For mixing lever gear unit parts:
    (A) Forked lever assembly, P/N L671M3012102, reduce the life 
limit from 9,000 hours TIS to 8,700 hours TIS.
    (B) Hinged support, P/N L671M7003210, reduce the life limit from 
8,700 hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.
    (C) Bolt, P/N L671M7001220, reduce the life limit from 8,700 
hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.
    (2) Remove from service any part listed in paragraph (e)(1) of 
this AD that has reached or exceeded its newly revised life limit.

[[Page 67384]]

(f) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are limited to a one-time flight to a 
maintenance facility to replace a part that has reached its life 
limit.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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, Texas 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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2013-0178, dated August 7, 2013. You may view the 
EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0903.

 (i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300, 2700 
Swashplate Ring, Cardan Ring, Bolt, Mixing Lever Gear Unit (flight 
controls).

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 28, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26836 Filed 11-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P