Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4267-4269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00837]



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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2014 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 4267]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0634; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-023-AD; 
Amendment 39-17725; AD 2014-01-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135P2+ and EC135T2+ 
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the mechanical air 
conditioning system compressor bearing block upper bearing (upper 
bearing) for corrosion, leaking grease, condensation, or water. This AD 
was prompted by metallic debris from an upper bearing found in the air 
inlet areas of both engines in a Model EC135P2+ helicopter. The actions 
of this AD are intended to prevent metallic debris from damaging the 
engine, causing loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of helicopter 
control.

DATES: This AD is effective March 3, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of March 3, 2014.

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 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: 

Discussion

    On July 23, 2013, at 78 FR 44050, 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 Eurocopter Model 
EC135P2+ and EC135T2+ helicopters, serial numbers 870, 872, 873, 879, 
883, 884, 888, 893, 900, 905, 911, 914, 916, 917, 923, and 926, with an 
upper bearing, part number (P/N) L210M1872105, installed.
    The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the upper bearing for 
corrosion, leaking grease, condensation, or water. The proposed 
requirements were intended to prevent metallic debris from damaging the 
engine, causing loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of helicopter 
control.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2011-0111R1, dated September 22, 
2011, issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
AD No. 2011-0111R1 revises EASA AD No. 2011-0111, dated June 10, 2011, 
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Model EC135P2+ and EC135T2+ 
helicopters. EASA advises that metallic debris was found within the air 
inlet area of both engines during a pre-flight check of an EC135 P2+ 
helicopter. A subsequent investigation showed that the debris came from 
the bearing cage of a ball bearing in the air conditioning compressor 
bearing block, and that it damaged the compressor stage of one of the 
engines to such an extent that the engine had to be overhauled, 
according to EASA.
    EASA notes that as this mechanical air conditioning system was 
introduced recently on the production line, only a limited number of 
helicopters are affected. But if not detected and corrected, this 
unsafe condition ``could lead to further cases of bearing case failure, 
possibly resulting in loss of engine power and reduced control of the 
helicopter,'' EASA reports. EASA AD No. 2011-0111R1 requires repetitive 
inspections of the affected ball bearing for indications that the upper 
bearing is failing and, depending on the findings, deactivating the air 
conditioning system.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 44050, July 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 
the EASA 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.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) EC135-
21A-013, Revision 0, dated June 6, 2011, to provide instructions for 
inspections after debris from the bearing cage of a ball bearing was 
found in the air inlet area of both engines of an EC135P2+ helicopter. 
Eurocopter followed the EASB with Service Bulletin EC135-21-

[[Page 4268]]

015, Revision 0, dated July 12, 2011, to introduce the replacement of 
the affected compressor bearing block with a ``new, improved'' 
compressor bearing block.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1 helicopter of U.S. Registry and 
that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these estimates, 
we expect the following costs:
    <bullet> Inspecting the upper bearing for corrosion, leaking 
grease, condensation or water requires 4 work-hours for a labor cost of 
$340. No parts are needed.
    <bullet> Deactivating the air conditioning system requires 6 work-
hours for a labor cost of $510. No parts are needed.

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):

2014-01-02 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters: Amendment 39-
17725; Docket No. FAA-2013-0634; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-023-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) 
Model EC135P2+ and EC135T2+ helicopters, serial numbers 870, 872, 
873, 879, 883, 884, 888, 893, 900, 905, 911, 914, 916, 917, 923, and 
926, with a mechanical air conditioning system compressor bearing 
block upper bearing (upper bearing) part number L210M1872105 
installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as metallic debris in the 
engine inlet areas.
    This condition could result in failure of an engine, loss of 
engine power, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 3, 2014.

(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 25 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (1) Visually inspect the upper bearing for corrosion, leaking 
grease, condensation, or water.
    (2) If there is condensation but no corrosion, leaking grease, 
or water, repeat this inspection at intervals not to exceed 25 hours 
TIS.
    (3) If there is no corrosion, leaking grease, condensation, or 
water, repeat this inspection at intervals not to exceed 100 hours 
TIS.
    (4) If there is corrosion, leaking grease, or water, deactivate 
the air conditioning system in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3.B.3, Paragraphs (a) through (ai) of 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-21A-013, 
Revision 0, dated June 6, 2011.

(f) 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Eurocopter Service Bulletin EC135-21-015, Revision 0, dated 
July 12, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. You may review 
a copy of this service information at the 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2011-0111R1, dated September 22, 2011. 
You may view a copy of the EASA AD in the AD Docket on the Internet 
at http:/www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2013-0634.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2100, air 
conditioning 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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-21A-
013, Revision 0, dated June 6, 2011.
    (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.

[[Page 4269]]

    (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 January 2, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-00837 Filed 1-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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