Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8722-8724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3184]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0453; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD; 
Amendment 39-16942; AD 2012-03-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Model EC135 helicopters. This AD results 
from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued 
by the aviation authority of the Federal Republic of Germany, with 
which we have a bilateral agreement, to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition. The MCAI AD states that in the past, the FADEC FAIL caution 
light illuminated on a few EC135 T1 helicopters. It states that this 
was caused by a discrepancy in the parameters that was generated within 
the fuel main metering unit and transmitted to the FADEC. This 
discrepancy led to the display of the FADEC FAIL caution light and 
``freezing'' of the fuel main metering valve at its position, resulting 
in loss of the automatic engine control in the affected system. With 
the MCAI AD, a synchronization procedure for pilots, which was already 
used in the past, is being reintroduced, which prevents the parameter 
discrepancy arising and thus sustains the automatic engine control.
    The AD actions are intended to prevent failure of the FADEC to 
automatically meter fuel, indicated by a FADEC FAIL cockpit caution 
light, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective March 21, 2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; 
or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review a copy of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.
    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 AD, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5204; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 8723]]

Discussion

    On April 28, 2011, we issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the 
Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Model EC135 helicopters. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2011, at 76 FR 27956. That 
NPRM proposed to reintroduce a synchronization procedure for pilots to 
prevent a parameter discrepancy from arising and sustain the automatic 
engine control.

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 
products of the same type design, and that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed with the 
changes described previously and other minor editorial changes. These 
changes are consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM and 
will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    We use a 50-hour time-in-service (TIS) compliance time rather than 
before further flight as used in the MCAI AD. Also, the MCAI AD states 
to follow the ASB and insert pages into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual 
(RFM). We did not follow the ASB, which requires the RFM information to 
be filed in the Section 4, Normal Procedures, of the RFM. To make 
compliance with the information mandatory, we are requiring that it be 
inserted into the Section 2, Limitations Section of the RFM.

Related Service Information

    ECD has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-71A-024, dated 
August 6, 2002 (ASB). The ASB contains copies of special information to 
be inserted into the RFM for synchronizing fuel control components for 
sustaining automatic engine control. The ASB specifies making copies of 
the RFM pages contained in the ASB, cutting them out, and filing them 
in the RFM. The actions described in the MCAI AD are intended to 
correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in this service 
information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 20 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about a half work-hour to 
copy and insert the synchronization procedure into the RFM. The average 
labor rate is $85 per hour. We estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $850.

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 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 the 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this 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 Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA will 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):

2012-03-01 Eurocopter Deutschland: Amendment 39-16942. Docket No. 
FAA-2011-0453; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC135 helicopters with Turbomeca Arrius 
2B or 2B1 engines installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a discrepancy generated 
within the fuel main metering unit and transmitted to the FADEC, 
which could lead to the display of the FADEC FAIL caution light and 
``freezing'' of the fuel main metering valve at its position. This 
condition could result in loss of the automatic engine control.

 (c) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 21, 2012.

(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

    Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), either insert the 
following procedure by making pen-and-ink changes to the Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual (RFM) or by inserting a copy of this AD into the 
Limitations Section of the RFM.

    SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR OEI/AUTOROTATION TRAINING AND APPROACH/
LANDING PREPARATION
    In order to prevent a malfunction, which could lead to a FADEC 
FAIL indication, the following procedure is mandatory:
    The procedure shown below must be performed while in a steady 
flight condition and at a safe altitude:

--Before initiation of every approach (with or without landing)
--During training of OEI or Autorotation before every switch-over to 
IDLE

    CAUTION: DURING THE RESET PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING, 
NO INPUTS ARE TO BE MADE TO THE COLLECTIVE LEVER OR TO THE TWIST 
GRIP FOR MANUAL ENGINE CONTROL, SINCE THIS CAN LEAD TO AN 
INEFFECTIVE SYNCHRONIZATION.

[[Page 8724]]

    The reset procedure is identical for each of two systems and is 
to be applied for both engines, one after the other.
    Procedure
    1. ENG MODE SEL switch--Set from NORM TO MAN
    After illumination of the ENG MANUAL caution:
    2. ENG MODE SEL switch--Set from MAN to NORM: ENG MANUAL caution 
must go off
    Repeat procedure for second engine.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal 
to: Eric Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Guidance 
Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 
222-5204, email: [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a Part 119 operating 
certificate or under 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-71A-024, dated 
August 6, 2008, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. For service 
information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter 
Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 
(972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-Bundesamt 
(Germany) AD No. 2002-333, dated September 16, 2002.

(h) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code: 7600, 
Engine Controls.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3184 Filed 2-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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