Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopter Models

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38826-38828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14842]



[[Page 38826]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0521; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-010-AD; 
Amendment 39-17486; AD 2013-06-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopter Models

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
various model helicopters with certain part-numbered and serial-
numbered Goodrich externally-mounted hoists installed. This AD requires 
performing a cable conditioning lift and a load inspection test, 
deactivating or replacing any hoist that fails the load inspection 
test, and recording the results of the load inspection test. This AD is 
prompted by a report of a failure of the overload clutch resulting in 
an in-flight failure of a hoist containing a dummy load during a 
maintenance flight. These actions are intended to detect conditions 
that may result in failure of the hoist and injury to persons being 
lifted.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 15, 2013 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
(EAD) No. 2013-06-51, issued on March 25, 2013, which contained the 
requirements of this AD.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of July 15, 2013.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 27, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact: Goodrich 
Corporation, Sensors & Integrated Systems (SIS-CA), Brea, CA 92821; 
telephone (714) 984-1461;  http://www.goodrich.com/Goodrich. You may 
review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    We are issuing this AD to publish EAD No. 2013-06-51, issued on 
March 25, 2013, which was for helicopter models with certain part-
numbered and serial-numbered Goodrich externally-mounted hoists. EAD 
No. 2013-06-51 was prompted by an incident that occurred during a 
maintenance check of a rescue hoist that lost the ability to hold the 
load at maximum rated capacity, causing the test load to strike the 
ground. A Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopter picked up a dummy load of 552 lbs. to conduct a ``maximum 
load cycle'' on the rescue hoist. Initially, the cable reeled out and 
stopped as commanded by the winch operator; however, the cable 
continued to reel-out without further command by the winch operator, 
causing the dummy load to strike the ground. Examination of the 
affected hoist determined that the overload clutch had failed. EAD No. 
2013-06-51 requires performing a cable conditioning lift, performing a 
load inspection test, and recording the results on the hoist component 
history card or equivalent record. The actions of EAD No. 2013-06-51 
were intended to detect conditions that may result in failure of the 
hoist and injury to persons being lifted.
    EAD No. 2013-06-51 was prompted by AD No. 2013-0065-E, issued March 
14, 2013 (2013-0065-E), and superseded with AD No. 2013-0077-E, issued 
March 22, 2013, by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
issued AD 2013-0065-E to correct an unsafe condition for helicopters 
with certain part-numbered and serial-numbered Goodrich hoists 
installed. EASA advised of the report that an ECD Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopter experienced an incident of its rescue hoist containing a 
dummy load of 552 lbs. that reeled-out without command of the operator 
and impacted the ground during a maintenance check flight. Examination 
of the affected hoist determined that the overload clutch had failed. 
The overload clutch design is common to many Goodrich externally-
mounted rescue hoists installed on the applicable model helicopters. 
EASA further stated its AD action is considered an interim action and 
further AD action may follow.
    Since we issued EAD No. 2013-06-51, EASA revised its AD with EASA 
AD No. 2013-0077R1, dated March 27, 2013 (2013-0077R1). In issuing AD 
No. 2013-0077R1, EASA changed the initial compliance time, reduced the 
applicability of certain model helicopters for which no EASA approvals 
of the hoist installation are known, and partially adopted FAA EAD

[[Page 38827]]

No. 2013-06-51 for those helicopter models for which the FAA is the 
State of Design Authority. EASA continues to consider AD No. 2013-
0077R1 an interim action and further AD action may follow. You may view 
EASA AD 2013-0077R1 at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0521.
    In publishing this AD, we are retaining the applicability and 
required actions of EAD No. 2013-06-51. As we have determined that the 
MD Helicopters, Inc., Model MD900 helicopter is another model 
helicopter on which an affected hoist may be installed, we are adding 
that model helicopter to the applicability. This addition does not 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor does it increase the 
scope of the AD.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authorities of 
Canada, Italy, France, and Germany and are approved for operation in 
the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the 
European countries, EASA, their technical representative, has notified 
us of the unsafe condition described in the EASA AD. We are issuing 
this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.

Related Service Information

    Goodrich issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 44301-10-15, dated March 
8, 2013 (ASB), for certain externally-mounted rescue hoists 
manufactured by Goodrich Sensors & Integrated Systems. The ASB 
specifies inspecting and performing an operational check of the hoist. 
The ASB also specifies recording the performance in the hoist log and 
reporting the results of the test to UTC Aerospace Systems.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires compliance with specified portions of the ASB to 
do the following before the next flight involving a hoist operation:
    <bullet> Performing a cable conditioning lift;
    <bullet> Performing a load inspection test;
    <bullet> Deactivating or replacing any hoist that fails the load 
inspection test; and
    <bullet> Recording the results of the load inspection test on the 
hoist component history card or equivalent record.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to specific model helicopters. This AD applies 
to all helicopters with certain Goodrich hoists installed that are type 
certificated in the U.S. This AD does not contain a requirement to 
report results to the manufacturer. The EASA AD requires complying with 
specific helicopter manufacturer ASBs, and this AD requires complying 
with the Goodrich ASB for conducting the load inspection test.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. Investigation of the 
root cause of the clutch failure is ongoing. If final action is later 
identified, we might consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 1,378 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. It will take about 1 work-hour to perform 
the lift testing at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, for a 
cost per helicopter of $85 and a total cost to U.S. operators of 
$117,130. If necessary, replacing the hoist will take about 0.5 work-
hour and required parts will cost about $95,000, for a cost per 
helicopter of about $95,043.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    The short compliance time involved is required because risk 
analysis of the previously described unsafe condition indicates that 
failure of the hoist could result in serious injury or death if the 
hoist is being used for human cargo. Subsequently, the required actions 
must be performed before the next flight involving a hoist operation.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment before issuing this AD 
were impracticable and contrary to the public interest and good cause 
existed for making Emergency AD No. 2013-06-51 effective immediately on 
March 25, 2013, to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified 
model helicopters. These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby 
published, with a minor change, in the Federal Register as an amendment 
to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to 
make it effective to all persons.

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, 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 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; 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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):


[[Page 38828]]


2013-06-51 Various Helicopter Models With The Goodrich Hoist 
Installed: Amendment 39-17486; Docket No. FAA-2013-0521; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-SW-010-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to helicopters, certificated in any category, 
with an externally-mounted hoist with a part number and serial 
number listed in Table 1 of Goodrich Alert Service Bulletin No. 
44301-10-15, dated March 8, 2013 (ASB), installed, including but not 
limited to the following:
    (1) AgustaWestland S.p.A Model A109, A109S, A109K2, A109A, A109A 
II, A109C, A109E, AW109SP, AB139, AW139, AB412, and AB412 EP;
    (2) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 212, 214B, 214B-1, 
214ST, 412, 412CF, and 412EP;
    (3) Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, Ltd., Model 429 and 430;
    (4) Eurocopter France Model AS 365 N3, AS332L2, and EC225LP;
    (5) Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, EC135P1, 
EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, and EC135T2+;
    (6) MD Helicopters, Inc., Model MD900; and
    (7) Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-61L, S-61N, S-61R, S-
61NM, S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C(M), S-70C(M1), S-76A, S-76B, S-76C, 
S-76D, and S-92A helicopters.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of the overload 
clutch resulting in in-flight failure of the hoist, which could 
result in injury to persons being lifted.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD publishes EAD No. 2013-06-51, issued March 25, 2013.

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 15, 2013 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by EAD No. 
2013-06-51, issued March 25, 2013, which contained the requirements 
of this AD.

(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

    Before next flight involving a hoist operation, perform the 
following one-time actions:
    (1) Perform a cable conditioning lift by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A. through 2.A.(2), of the 
ASB.
    (2) Perform a load inspection test by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B. through 2.I., of the 
ASB. Refer to the aircraft weight and balance limitations prior to 
performing this test and use a balancing load if necessary to 
prevent helicopter rollover. Any alternate method of complying with 
the load inspection test must first be approved in accordance with 
paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (3) If the hoist fails the load inspection test, deactivate or 
replace the hoist with an airworthy hoist.
    (4) Record the result of the load inspection test on the hoist 
component history card or equivalent record.

(g) 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, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0077R1, dated March 27, 2013. You may view 
the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0521.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(j) 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.
    (i) Goodrich Alert Service Bulletin No. 44301-10-15, dated March 
8, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Goodrich Corporation's service information identified in 
this AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Sensors & Integrated Systems 
(SIS-CA), Brea, CA 92821; telephone (714) 984-1461; http://www.goodrich.com/Goodrich.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) 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 June 13, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-14842 Filed 6-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T02:54:29.362695+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

c4b9d06e7bec564b601cc4d8af985de9b4740e7f3571b8e5304b2f589738cd57

Text SHA-256

4c2ca6348da3e5890a176fbb1d0ef784ff163af177813d67805f3de8f8391e34