Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65169-65171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25312]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD; 
Amendment 39-17629; AD 2013-21-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 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 GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, 
T2, and T2+ helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each linear 
transducer bearing (bearing) for freedom of movement and replacing the 
bearing if there is binding or rough turning or if there is chafing or 
damage on the lower side of the floor. Also, this AD requires modifying 
and re-identifying a certain rod. This AD was prompted by an incident 
involving limited control of a tail rotor because of the binding of a 
bearing. The actions of this AD are intended to detect and replace each 
bearing subject to binding, which could lead to subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of December 5, 
2013.

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 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 foreign authority's AD, 
any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 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: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On May 23, 2013, at 78 FR 30793, the Federal Register published our 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, 
T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters, with bearing, part number (P/N) 
LN9367GE6N2; rod, P/N L671M5040205; lever, P/N L671M5040101; and floor, 
P/N L533M1014101, L533M1014102, L533M1014103, L533M1014104, 
L533M1014105 or L533M1014106, installed. The NPRM proposed to require, 
at specified intervals, inspecting each bearing for freedom of 
movement. The NPRM also proposed, before further flight, if there is 
binding or rough turning, replacing the bearing or if there is chafing 
or damage on the lower side of the floor, replacing the bearing and 
repairing the floor, and, thereafter, installing a Teflon strip. The 
NPRM also proposed modifying the rod and re-identifying the rod and 
lever with a new part number. The requirements were intended to detect 
and replace each bearing subject to binding, which could lead to 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2006-0318 R1, dated October 27, 
2006, issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to 
correct an unsafe condition for all Eurocopter Model EC 135 
helicopters. EASA advises of an incident in which impaired control of 
an EC 135 tail rotor was detected. EASA states that according to 
examinations, the bearing of the linear transducer was subject to 
binding, which limited the control range.

FAA's Determination

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 30793, 
May 23, 2013).

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, EASA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
its AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by EASA and determined the 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    This AD does not refer to the compliance date of October 31, 2006, 
because that date has passed; instead we require compliance within 100 
hours time-service (TIS). This AD does not require contacting 
Eurocopter customer support. This AD requires modifying each rod within 
100 hours TIS, rather than within 800 hours TIS as specified in the 
EASA AD.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC135-67A-012, 
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB), which specifies inspecting 
the bearing of the linear transducer for freedom of movement and the 
lower side of the floor for chafing or damage. If there is binding, the 
ASB specifies replacing the bearing. If there is chafing or damage on 
the floor, the ASB specifies replacing the bearing and repairing the 
floor. The ASB also specifies modifying and reidentifying a certain 
rod. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued EASA AD 2006-0318 
R1, dated October 27, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 214 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 10 work-hours to 
inspect the bearing for freedom of movement at an average labor rate of

[[Page 65170]]

$85 per work hour. No parts or materials are required for the 
inspection. Based on these estimates, the cost will be $850 per 
helicopter or $181,900 for the fleet of all U.S.-registered 
helicopters. If necessary, replacing the bearing will require 3 
additional work-hours, and parts will cost $50. Repairing the floor 
will require 3 additional work hours and minimal cost for materials.

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 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):

2013-21-05 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-17629; Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ 
helicopters, with bearing, part number (P/N) LN9367GE6N2; rod, P/N 
L671M5040205; lever, P/N L671M5040101; and floor, P/N L533M1014101, 
L533M1014102, L533M1014103, L533M1014104, L533M1014105 or 
L533M1014106, installed, certificated in any category.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as limited control of a 
tail rotor because of the binding of a bearing. This condition could 
result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

 (c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 5, 2013.

(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

    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 800 hours TIS, inspect each bearing for 
freedom of movement by turning and tilting the bearing as depicted 
in Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-012, 
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB). During any inspection:
    (i) If there is binding or rough turning, before further flight, 
replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing.
    (ii) If there is chafing on the lower side of the floor that 
does not extend through the panel outer layer, before further 
flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing.
    (iii) If there is damage on the lower side of the floor in the 
area of the assembly opening that extends through the panel outer 
layer (revealing an open honeycomb cell or layer), before further 
flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing and repair the 
floor.
    (2) After performing the actions in (e)(1)(i) through (iii) of 
this AD, before further flight, install a Teflon strip and identify 
the floor by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.E.(1) through 3.E.(4), of the ASB.
    (3) Within 100 hours TIS, modify and re-identify the rod as 
depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB and by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 3.H.(1) through 3.H.(3)(f), of the ASB.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 
222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under 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.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency AD No. 2006-0318 R1, dated October 27, 2006, which you may 
view on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD docket.

 (h) Subject

    The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6720: Tail 
Rotor Control System.

 (i) 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) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-012, 
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Eurocopter 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.
    (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://

[[Page 65171]]

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 27, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-25312 Filed 10-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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