Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC 135 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31255-31256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12356]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-05-AD; Amendment 39-11731; AD 2000-10-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 
(Eurocopter) Model EC 135 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Eurocopter Model EC 135 helicopters. This AD requires 
replacing a certain oil cooler fan splined drive shaft (shaft) with a 
different airworthy shaft and re-identifying the part numbers on the 
oil cooler fans. This amendment is prompted by two incidents in which 
the shaft broke. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the shaft, loss of oil cooling, and a subsequent 
engine shutdown during flight.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 21, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Madej, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5125, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that applies to 
Eurocopter Model EC 135 helicopters was published in the Federal 
Register on February 11, 2000 (65 FR 6925). That action proposed to 
require replacing a certain shaft with a different airworthy shaft and 
re-identifying the part numbers on the oil cooler fans.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 9 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
helicopter to replace and re-identify the affected parts and record 
these actions in the gearbox history card or equivalent record, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The manufacturer has 
stated in Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-79A-001, dated January 23, 
1998, that required parts will be provided at no cost. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $2,160.
    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:


[[Page 31256]]


AD 2000-10-07  Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH: Amendment 39-11731. 
Docket No. 99-SW-05-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC 135 helicopters, serial numbers 0005 
through 0071, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within 50 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of an oil cooler fan splined drive shaft 
(shaft), loss of oil cooling, and a subsequent engine shutdown 
during flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace each shaft, part number (P/N) L 792M3004 225, with 
an airworthy shaft, P/N L 792M3004 235.
    (b) Re-identify the P/N on each oil cooler fan (fan) using a 
rubber stamp or smudge-proof paint or equivalent as follows:
    (1) On the left fan, change the P/N from L 792M3004 102 to L 
792M3004 103.
    (2) On the right fan, change the P/N from L 792M3005 102 to L 
792M3005 103.
    (c) Change the P/N on the gearbox component history card or 
equivalent record to reflect the revised part numbers.

    Note 2: Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC 135-79A-001, 
dated January 23, 1998, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (d) Replacing the shaft, re-identifying the fans, and recording 
this on the gearbox component history card or equivalent record 
constitute terminating actions for the requirements of this AD.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and 
then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 21, 2000.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (Federal Republic of Germany) AD No. 1998-109, dated 
February 26, 1998.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 9, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12356 Filed 5-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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