[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3310-3313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00664]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0577; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-042-AD; 
Amendment 39-18375; AD 2015-12-09 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are revising airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-12-09 for 
Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, 
EC135T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. AD 2015-12-09 required 
inspecting certain washers for movement and making the appropriate 
repairs if the washers move. As published, AD 2015-12-09 referenced an 
incorrect date for the service information in the Credit for Previous 
Actions section. This AD corrects the error while retaining the 
requirements of AD 2015-12-09. These actions are intended to prevent 
loss of concerned control axis and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective February 25, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of July 23, 2015 
(80 FR 34831, June 18, 2015).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, 
TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-
3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review 
the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 6N-321, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0577; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any

[[Page 3311]]

incorporated-by-reference information, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket 
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On July 24, 2015, we issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to revise AD 2015-12-09, Amendment 39-18184 (80 
FR 34831, June 18, 2015), which applied to Airbus Helicopters Model 
EC135P1, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, and MBB-BK 117 
C-2 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 
3, 2015 (80 FR 45900). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery of an 
incorrectly dated Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) in the Credit for 
Previous Actions section of AD 2015-12-09. The NPRM proposed to retain 
the actions required by AD 2015-12-09 and correct the ASB date and 
revise other information throughout the AD.
    AD 2015-12-09 was prompted by AD No. 2013-0176, dated August 7, 
2013, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model EC 135 P1 (CDS), EC 135 P1 (CPDS), EC 
135 P2+, EC 135 P2 (CPDS), EC 135 T1 (CDS), EC 135 T1 (CPDS), EC 135 
T2+, EC 135 T2 (CPDS), EC 635 P2+, EC 635 T1 (CPDS), EC 635 T2+, and 
MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. EASA advises that during installation work 
on a helicopter, it was discovered that it was not possible to install 
attachment hardware on a threaded blind borehole between the Smart 
Electro Mechanical Actuator (SEMA) and the control rod without play. 
EASA advises that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could 
lead to loss of the concerned control axis, possibly resulting in loss 
of helicopter control. For these reasons, EASA AD No. 2013-0176 
requires a one-time inspection of the affected SEMA attachment hardware 
to detect improper connection and play and, depending on the findings, 
replacement of the affected hardware. After the issuance of EASA AD No. 
2013-0176, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH changed its name to Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH.
    When AD 2015-12-09 was published, an incorrect reference to the 
date of Eurocopter ASB EC135-22A-015, Revision 0, dated May 13, 2008, 
appeared in the text of the rule. Specifically, AD 2015-12-09 includes 
the following under paragraph (f), Credit for Previous Actions: ``If 
you performed the actions in Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-
22A-015, Revision 0, dated May 13, 2018, or Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-22A-009, Revision 0, May 13, 2008, before the 
effective date of this AD, you met the requirements of this AD.'' As 
published, the reference to May 13, 2018, is incorrect. The correct 
date for Eurocopter ASB EC135-22A-015, Revision 0, is May 13, 2008.
    Accordingly, we are revising AD 2015-12-09 to correct the date for 
Eurocopter ASB EC135-22A-015, Revision 0. Further, we updated the 
physical address of the FAA Southwest Regional Office throughout this 
AD and the email address for requesting an Alternative Method of 
Compliance (AMOC). We did not change any other part of the preamble or 
regulatory information. The final rule is reprinted in its entirety for 
the convenience of affected operators.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 45900, August 
3, 2015).

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 
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same 
type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Eurocopter reported in ASBs EC135-22A-015, Revision 1, dated 
January 28, 2013, and MBB BK117 C-2-22A-009, Revision 1, dated August 
3, 2009, that it was discovered during the installation work on a 
helicopter that it was not possible to establish attachment hardware on 
a threaded blind borehole between the SEMA and the control rod without 
play. The ASBs state that ``unfavourable adding of the tolerances'' of 
the individual attachment hardware elements caused the screw to push 
against the bottom of the threaded blind borehole on the SEMA, 
preventing any clamping force on the screw head. The ASBs call for 
inspecting the SEMA attachment hardware connected to their respective 
control rods for play and making the proper adjustments to eliminate 
any play. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 385 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Inspecting for movement of the washers requires 1.5 work-
hours for a labor cost of $128 per helicopter and $49,280 for the U.S. 
fleet.
     Replacing the screws and related work requires an 
additional 0.5 work-hours for a labor cost of $43. Screws cost $4 each 
while washers cost $10 each. We estimate the cost at $79 per repair.

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 have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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

[[Page 3312]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2015-12-09, Amendment 39-18184 (80 FR 34831, June 18, 2015), and adding 
the following new AD:

2015-12-09 R1 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters): Amendment 39-
18375; Docket No. FAA-2014-0577; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-042-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135T1, 
EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as loose attachment 
hardware between the Smart Electro Mechanical Actuator (SEMA) and a 
control rod. This condition could result in loss of the control axis 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 25, 2016.

(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

    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), for Model EC135P1, 
EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, and EC135T2+ helicopters, do 
the following:
    (i) Using Figure 1 and Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin EC135-22A-015, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2013 (ASB 
EC135-22A-015) as reference, inspect the attachment hardware between 
the SEMA and the longitudinal actuator control rod to determine 
whether any of the washers can be moved.
    (A) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (B) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, part number (P/N) EN2139-05016, to 
connect the SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 
5-6 Nm.
    (ii) Using Figure 1 and Figure 2 of ASB EC135-22A-015 as 
reference, inspect the attachment hardware between the SEMA and the 
lateral actuator control rod to determine whether any of the washers 
can be moved.
    (A) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (B) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, P/N EN2139-05016, to connect the 
SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 5-6 Nm.
    (iii) Using Figure 1, Figure 3, and Figure 4 of ASB EC135-22A-
015 as reference, inspect the attachment hardware between the SEMA 
and the yaw actuator control rod to determine whether any of the 
washers can be moved.
    (A) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (B) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, P/N EN2139-05016, to connect the 
SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 5-6 Nm.
    (2) Within 50 hours TIS, for Model MBB BK117 C-2 helicopters, 
using Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-
22A-009, Revision 1, dated August 3, 2009, as reference, inspect the 
attachment hardware between the Yaw-SEMA and the Yaw-SEMA control 
rod to determine whether any of the washers can be moved.
    (i) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (ii) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, P/N EN2139-05016, to connect the 
SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 5-6 Nm and 
apply polyurethane lacquer onto the attachment hardware.

(f) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2015-12-09, Amendment 39-18184 (80 FR 34831, 
June 18, 2015).

(g) Credit for Previous Actions

    If you performed the actions in Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin EC135-22A-015, Revision 0, dated May 13, 2008, or 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-22A-009, Revision 0, 
May 13, 2008, before the effective date of this AD, you met the 
requirements of this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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.

(i) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0176, dated August 7, 2013. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA 2014-0577.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2213, Flight 
Controller.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 23, 2015, (80 FR 34831, June 18, 2015).
    (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-22A-015, Revision 1, 
dated January 28, 2013.
    (ii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-22A-009, 
Revision 1, dated August 3, 2009.
    (4) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in 
this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum 
Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 
232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
    (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 6N-321, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 3313]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 6, 2016.
Bruce E. Cain,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00664 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P