Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) Model K-1200 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79950-79952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31960]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1253; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-084-AD; 
Amendment 39-16550; AD 2010-26-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) 
Model K-1200 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters. This AD requires revising the 
Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness 
(ICA) by establishing a life limit of 8,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
for each main rotor blade (blade) set. Also, this AD requires removing 
each blade set from service if it has accumulated 8,000 or more hours 
time-in-service (TIS). This AD also requires replacing certain blade 
sets with airworthy blade sets at specified intervals based on the 
blade set serial number (S/N). This AD was prompted by an accident and 
the subsequent discovery of cracks in multiple blade spars. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent blade failure and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective on January 5, 2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 22, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Kaman 
Aerospace Corporation, K-max Product Support Center, Building 33, P.O. 
Box 2, 1332 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 06002, telephone (860) 
242-4461.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt. You may review copies of the referenced service information at 
the FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 
76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Faust, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive 
Park; telephone: (781) 238-7763; fax: (781) 238-7170; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We are adopting a new AD for the Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters 
that requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the ICA 
by establishing a life limit of 8,000 hours TIS for each blade set. 
Previously, these blades sets did not have an established retirement 
life but had specified overhaul intervals. This AD also requires 
removing each blade set with 8,000 or more hours TIS from service. 
Also, this AD requires replacing certain blade sets with airworthy 
blade sets at specified intervals based on the blade set S/N. This AD 
was prompted by an accident and the subsequent discovery of cracks in 
multiple blade spars. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
a cracked spar, failure of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Kaman Service Bulletin No. 131, Rotor Blade Service 
Life Reduction, dated August 11, 2010 (SB). The SB specifies 
establishing ``a service life of K-1200 rotor blade spar bondment 
(K911004) to 8,000 hours time since new (TSN)'' and removing all blade 
sets with over 8,000 hours TIS.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of this same type 
design.

[[Page 79951]]

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before further flight, revising the Airworthiness 
Limitations section of the ICA by establishing a life limit of 8,000 
hours TIS for each affected blade set. This AD requires replacing the 
specified blade sets with airworthy blade sets at various intervals 
depending on TIS. Based on the individualized data from those operators 
with the affected serial-numbered blade sets, those serial numbered 
blade sets with the highest hours TIS are required to be replaced 
sooner than those with less hours TIS.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    This AD requires, before further flight, revising the Airworthiness 
Limitations section of the ICA to establish a life limit of 8,000 hours 
TIS for each blade set. Also, this AD requires replacing certain blade 
sets with airworthy blade sets at specified intervals based on the 
blade S/N.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA finds that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adopting this rule because cracks 
have been found in the blade spars during an investigation in response 
to an accident. Due to the number of hours TIS of the fleet, some of 
the blade sets may have exceeded 8,000 hours TIS and the blade sets may 
be required to be replaced before further flight. Therefore, we find 
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable 
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less 
than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2010-1253 and 
Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-084-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 14 helicopters of U.S. registry. 
The Kaman Model K-1200 helicopter is unique in that each helicopter has 
2 sets of 2 blades, a total of 4 blades per helicopter. Some 
helicopters only require one set of blades to be replaced.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Cost per          Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost          helicopter           operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace blade set (2 blades)....  4 work-hours x $85  $198,751 per blade  $199,091 per blade  $1,393,637,
                                   per hour = $340     set.                set.                assuming 7 blade
                                   per blade set.                                              sets are
                                                                                               replaced.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 helicopters identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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, 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, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2010-26-11 Kaman Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-16550; Docket 
No. FAA-2010-1253; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-084-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective on January 5, 2011.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model K-1200 helicopters.

[[Page 79952]]

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by an accident and the subsequent 
discovery of cracks in the main rotor blade (blade) spars. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent blade failure and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

Compliance

    (e) Before further flight, unless already done:
    (1) Revise the Limitations section of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness by establishing a life limit of 8,000 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) for each blade set Remove each blade set with 
8,000 or more hours TIS.
    (2) Replace each specified serial-numbered blade set with an 
airworthy blade set in accordance with the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Blade-set Serial No.                    Replace within
------------------------------------------------------------------------
101, 403, 408, 409, 411, and 415..........  400 hours TIS.
417 and 419...............................  700 hours TIS.
405.......................................  1000 hours TIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject

    (f) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code: 6210 Main Rotor Blades.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in the ``Additional Information'' section of this 
AD.

    Note:  Before using any approved AMOC, we request that you 
notify your principal inspector or if you have no principal 
inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.

Additional Information

    (h) For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Faust, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 
New England Executive Park; telephone: 781-283-7763; fax: 781-238-
7170; e-mail: [email protected].

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 14, 2010.
Bruce Cain,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31960 Filed 12-20-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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