[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13380-13383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06095]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1011; Product Identifier 2017-SW-004-AD; Amendment 
39-19232; AD 2018-07-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-16-14 for 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH) 
Model EC 135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters. AD 2013-16-14 
required installing a washer in and modifying the main transmission 
filter housing upper part. Since we issued AD 2013-16-14, Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH has extended the overhaul interval for the 
main transmission and determined that other models may have the same 
unsafe condition. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2013-16-14, 
adds models to the applicability, and revises

[[Page 13381]]

the required compliance time for the modification. The actions of this 
AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 3, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 3, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
October 9, 2013 (78 FR 54383, September 4, 2013).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 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/website/technical-expert/. You 
may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1011.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2017-1011; or in person at Docket 
Operations 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 incorporated-by-reference information, the 
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is Docket 
Operations, 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to remove AD 2013-16-14, Amendment 39-17552 (78 FR 54383, 
September 4, 2013), and add a new AD. AD 2013-16-14 applied to 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH) 
Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters with a certain 
serial-numbered main transmission FS108 housing upper part (upper 
part), part number (P/N) 4649 301 034. AD 2013-16-14 required 
installing a corrugated washer in the upper part filter housing and 
modifying each affected upper part by machining the oil filter bypass 
inlet.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2017 (82 
FR 51175). The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2017-0002, dated January 9, 
2017 (AD 2017-0002), 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 and EC635 helicopters. 
EASA advises that some affected upper parts have been re-identified 
with P/N 4649 301 067 or P/N 4649 301 088 without changing the serial 
number. EASA further advises that Airbus Helicopters has extended the 
compliance time to retrofit the housing to 5,150 hours to coincide with 
the extended interval between transmission overhauls.
    Accordingly, the NPRM proposed to retain the requirement to install 
a corrugated washer and modify the upper part and also proposed adding 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland Model EC135P3 and Model EC135T3 
helicopters and upper part P/N 4649 301 067 and P/N 4649 301 088 to the 
applicability and extending the compliance time for machining the upper 
part to 5,150 hours TIS.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type designs and that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-
63A-017, Revision 2, dated December 5, 2016 (ASB EC135-63A-017), for 
Model EC135 T1, T2, T2+, T3, P1, P2, P2+, P3, and 635 T1, T2+, T3, P2+, 
and P3 helicopters. This service information specifies removing the oil 
filter element and installing a corrugated washer. ASB EC135-63A-017 
also specifies reworking the affected upper part at the next repair or 
overhaul of the main transmission, no later than 5,150 flight hours 
after receipt of the service bulletin. EASA classified this ASB as 
mandatory and issued AD 2017-0002 to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these helicopters.
    We also reviewed ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH Service Instruction No. 
EC135FS108-1659-1009, dated September 14, 2010, which specifies 
procedures for repairing the main transmission upper housing, and 
includes dimensions and tolerances for machining the upper part.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-63A-017, 
Revision 0, dated October 11, 2010, for Model EC135 T1, T2, T2+, P1, 
P2, P2+, and 635 T1, T2+, and P2+ helicopters. This service information 
specifies the same Accomplishment Instructions as ASB EC135-63A-017, 
Revision 2, except with a shorter compliance time to rework the 
affected upper part.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 236 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. At an average labor rate of $85 per work hour, we estimate 
that operators will incur the following costs in order to comply with 
this AD. Installing the corrugated washer requires about .5 work hour, 
and required parts cost about $10, for a cost per helicopter of about 
$53, and a cost to the U.S. operator fleet of $12,508. Machining the 
housing upper part requires about 5 work hours and required parts cost 
about $73, for a cost per helicopter of $498, and a total cost to U.S. 
operators of $117,528. Based on these figures, we estimate the total 
cost of this AD to be $130,036 for the U.S. operator fleet or $551 per 
helicopter.
    According to Airbus Helicopters' service information some of the 
costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected persons. We do not control warranty coverage by 
Airbus Helicopters. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 13382]]

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 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 to the extent 
that a regulatory distinction is required, 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) 
2013-16-14, Amendment 39-17552 (78 FR 54383, September 4, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

2018-07-01 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Type Certificate 
Previously Held By Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH): Amendment 39-19232; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1011; Product Identifier 2017-SW-004-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, P3, T1, T2, T2+, and 
T3 helicopters with a main transmission FS108 housing upper part, 
part number (P/N) 4649 301 034, 4649 301 067, or 4649 301 088 and a 
serial number listed in Table 1 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin EC135-63A-017, Revision 2, dated December 5, 2016 (ASB 
EC135-63A-017), certificated in any category.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an improperly 
manufactured bypass inlet in the oil filter area. This condition 
could adversely affect the oil-filter bypass function, resulting in 
failure of the main transmission and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-16-14, Amendment 39-17552 (78 FR 54383, 
September 4, 2013).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 3, 2018.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 3 months, remove the oil filter element and install a 
corrugated washer, P/N 0630100377, in the middle of the filter 
housing of the housing upper part as depicted in Figure 2 of ASB 
EC135-63A-017.
    (2) Within 5,150 hours time-in-service or at the next main 
transmission repair or overhaul, whichever occurs first, machine the 
main transmission housing upper part in accordance with Annex A of 
ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH Service Instruction No. EC135FS108-1659-
1009, dated September 14, 2010.
    (3) Do not install a main transmission upper part, P/N 4649 301 
034, 4649 301 067, or 4649 301 088, on any helicopter unless it has 
been modified as required by paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(2) of 
this AD.

(g) Credit for Previous Actions

    Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the procedures specified in Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin EC135-63A-017, Revision 0, dated October 11, 2010, are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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

    (1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-63A-017, Revision 0, 
dated October 11, 2010, which is not incorporated by reference, 
contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For 
service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus 
Helicopters, 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/website/technical-expert/. You may review 
a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2017-0002, dated January 9, 2017. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in the AD Docket.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320 Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 
May 3, 2018.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC135-63A-017, 
Revision 2, dated December 5, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 9, 2013 (78 FR 54383, September 4, 2013).
    (i) ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH Service Instruction No. EC135FS108-
1659-1009, dated September 14, 2010.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 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/website/technical-expert/.
    (6) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

[[Page 13383]]

    (7) 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 19, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06095 Filed 3-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P