Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13204-13206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04571]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0642; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-035-AD; 
Amendment 39-17777; AD 2014-05-04]
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 MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters with a jettisonable sliding door (door) installed. This AD 
requires inspecting the lock release assembly and the middle and upper 
lever locking bolts of each door, replacing any damaged parts with 
airworthy parts, and ensuring the door is correctly installed. This AD 
was prompted by the uncommanded detaching of a door from an MBB-BK 117 
C-2 fuselage. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent the in-
flight loss of the door, which could damage the helicopter and injure 
persons on the ground.

DATES: This AD is effective April 14, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of April 14, 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 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 July 23, 2013, at 78 FR 44039, 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 MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters with a jettisonable door installed. The NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting the lock release assembly and the middle and upper 
lever locking bolts of each door, replacing any damaged parts with 
airworthy parts, and ensuring the door is correctly installed. The 
proposed requirements were intended to prevent the in-flight loss of 
the door, which could damage the helicopter and injure persons on the 
ground.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2011-0107, dated June 7, 2011, 
issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. AD No. 
2011-0107 was issued to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter 
Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with jettisonable sliding doors 
installed. EASA states that in early 2010 it received a report that the 
door guides of the jettison mechanism on an MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter 
released uncommanded while the door was being opened, resulting in the 
door detaching from the fuselage. EASA has determined that ``this 
condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in cases of in-
flight loss of the jettisonable door, possibly resulting in damage to, 
or loss of control of, the helicopter, or injury to persons on the 
ground.'' As a result, EASA requires repetitive inspections for the 
correct installation of the doors, door guides, and release cables.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 44039, 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    This AD requires that the inspections be conducted within 50 hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The EASA AD requires that the inspections be 
conducted within 50 hours TIS or 60 days, whichever occurs first after 
the effective date of the EASA AD.
    The EASA AD requires that you contact Eurocopter to determine 
corrective action, and this AD does not.
    The EASA AD requires a repetitive inspection, each time when the 
installation of the door guides for the jettisonable sliding doors is 
accomplished. This AD does not require this repetitive inspection 
because that is considered normal maintenance.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 C-2-52A-
015, Revision 0, dated April 26, 2011 (ASB), for Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters with jettisonable sliding doors installed. The ASB calls 
for inspecting the lock release assembly for damage and correct 
installation and inspecting the middle lever and upper lever locking 
bolts for correct installation. The ASBs require the inspections to be 
conducted within 50 hours TIS or two months, whichever occurs first, 
and thereafter after every door guide installation.

[[Page 13205]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 108 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates, 
we expect the following costs:
    <bullet> Visually inspecting the door's lock release assembly and 
the middle and upper levers requires 4 work-hours for a labor cost of 
$340 per helicopter. No parts are needed, so that the total cost for 
the U.S. fleet is $36,720.
    <bullet> Visually inspecting all hardware, guides and door 
attachment points for misaligned or bent fittings requires 4 work-hours 
for a labor cost of $340 per helicopter. Parts may be needed but on an 
individual basis, so that the total cost for the U.S. fleet is at least 
$36,720.

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):

2014-05-04 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-
17777; Docket No. FAA-2013-0642; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-035-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with a 
jettisonable main cabin sliding door (door) installed, certificated 
in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the door detaching 
uncommanded from the fuselage. This condition could result in the 
in-flight loss of the door, which could damage the helicopter or 
cause injury or damage on the ground.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 14, 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 50 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Visually inspect each door lock release assembly for a 
frayed cable, a stripped thread on a screw joint, pitting on a door 
guide, release cable, or associated hardware, and for correct 
installation by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
3.B.1. (a) through (c), except (c)(1) and (c)(2), of Eurocopter 
Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 C-2-52A-015, Revision 0, dated 
April 26, 2011 (ASB).
    (i) Replace with an airworthy part any frayed cables, screw 
joints with stripped threads, or any door guides, release cables, 
and associated hardware with pitting. Allow for a minimum of one 
millimeter clearance at each end of the release cables.
    (ii) Install the aft cover and aft inner handle.
    (2) Inspect each middle lever and upper lever locking bolt for 
correct installation by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3.B.2 and 3.B.3, of the ASB, except that we do not 
require you to contact Eurocopter.
    (3) If the door cannot be correctly rigged after performing the 
actions required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, inspect all 
hardware, guides, and door attachment points for misalignment or 
bent fittings. Replace misaligned or bent parts with airworthy parts 
before you operate the door in-flight and re-inspect according to 
the requirements in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    A one-time flight to a maintenance facility is permitted 
provided that the door is not opened in flight.

(g) 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 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. 2011-0107, dated June 7, 2011. You may view the 
EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0642.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5200, Doors.

(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) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 C-2-52A-015, 
Revision 0, dated April 26, 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,

[[Page 13206]]

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 February 20, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04571 Filed 3-7-14; 8:45 am]
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