Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 133 (Monday, July 13, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39941-39943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16939]



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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 133 / Monday, July 13, 2015 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 39941]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0758; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-062-AD; 
Amendment 39-18202; AD 2015-14-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Kaman 
Model K-1200 helicopters with certain main rotor blades (MRB) 
installed. This AD requires inspecting each MRB for a crack or damage. 
This AD was prompted by a report that a crack was found on an MRB 
during a tear-down inspection. The actions are intended to detect a 
crack in the MRB, which could lead to failure of the MRB and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective August 17, 2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Kaman 
Aerospace Corporation, Old Windsor Rd., P.O. Box 2, Bloomfield, 
Connecticut 06002-0002; telephone (860) 242-4461; fax (860) 243-7047; 
or at http://www.kamanaero.com. 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 (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: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 
01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On October 3, 2014, at 79 FR 59697, 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 Kaman Model K-1200 
helicopters with certain part-numbered MRBs installed. The NPRM 
proposed to require performing repetitive X-Ray and visual inspections 
of each wooden MRB for a crack, wood split, void, or delamination at 
intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS). If there is 
a crack, wood split, void, or delamination, the NPRM proposed to 
require repairing or replacing the MRB before further flight. The NPRM 
also proposed accomplishing the required inspections and repairs by a 
method approved by the Manager of the Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office.
    The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks found in the MRB spar 
during X-ray and teardown inspections with the MRB removed from the 
helicopter. The proposed requirements were intended to detect a crack 
in the MRB, which could lead to failure of the MRB and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.
    Since we issued the NPRM, we discovered a typographical error in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, where we incorrectly stated the design 
approval holder's name as Kaman Aerospace Incorporated instead of Kaman 
Aerospace Corporation, as specified by the current FAA type 
certificate. We have corrected this error.

Comments

    After our NPRM (79 FR 59697, October 3, 2014), was published, we 
received comments from one commenter.

Request

    Kaman suggested, without explanation, clarifying the description of 
the cost to replace an MRB set in the Cost of Compliance section by 
adding the word ``non-repairable'' before ``MRB set.''
    We disagree. Operators may elect to replace a repairable MRB set 
instead of having the MRBs repaired. The ability to repair a MRB set 
does not change the cost of replacement.
    Kaman also suggested, without explanation, changing the compliance 
time in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD to state, ``When the MRB reaches 
3,000 hours TIS and before it reaches 3,050 hours TIS . . .''
    We disagree. This AD requires an initial inspection before 3,000 
hours TIS but allows an additional 50 hours TIS for any MRBs that have 
already accumulated 3,000 hours TIS as of the effective date of this 
AD. The suggested language would change two requirements. First, it 
would allow the additional 50 hours TIS for all affected helicopters 
and is inconsistent with Kaman's service information. Second, it would 
prohibit blades to be inspected before they accumulate 3,000 hours.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information, considered the comments 
received, and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of these same type designs and 
that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD 
requirements as proposed with minor editorial change described 
previously. This change is consistent with the intent of the proposals 
in the NPRM (79 FR 59697, October 3, 2014) and will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Kaman Maintenance Manual 04-00-00, Continued 
Airworthiness, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, which establishes the 
airworthiness limitations for the Model K-1200 helicopter. The 
airworthiness

[[Page 39942]]

limitations establish an MRB life limit of 8,000 hours TIS and also 
establish a recurring 1,000 hour Rotor Blade Spar Inspection for each 
MRB with 3,000 or more hours TIS.
    We also reviewed Kaman Maintenance Manual 05-20-06, 1,000 Hour 
Rotor Blade Spar Inspection, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, which 
specifies returning each MRB to Kaman every 1,000 hours for inspection 
after the MRB accumulates 3,000 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 11 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. At an average labor cost of $85 per work-
hour, inspecting each matched pair of main rotor blades requires about 
160 work-hours and required parts cost about $2,000, for a cost per MRB 
set of $15,600 and a cost per helicopter of $31,200 per inspection 
cycle. If required, repairing a cracked MRB requires about 335 work-
hours and required parts cost about $15,000, for a cost per MRB of 
$43,475. Replacing an MRB set requires about 4 work-hours, and required 
parts cost about $495,000, for a cost per helicopter of $495,340.

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

    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):

2015-14-04 Kaman Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-18202; Docket 
No. FAA-2014-0758; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-062-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) Model K-
1200 helicopters with a main rotor blade (MRB) part number K911001-
009, K911001-010, K911001-109, or K911001-110 installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in an MRB, which 
could lead to failure of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 17, 2015.

(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) Before the MRB reaches 3,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 
within 50 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at 
intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours TIS:
    (i) X-Ray inspect each MRB between station (STA) 30 and 289 for 
a crack, a wood split, a void, and delamination.
    (ii) Using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each 
spar plank between STA 33 and STA 78 for a wood split or a crack, 
and inspect each spar plank to plank glueline for a void or 
delamination.
    (2) If there is a crack, wood split, void, or delamination 
within maximum repair damage limits in an MRB, before further 
flight, repair the MRB. If there is a crack, wood split, void, or 
delamination exceeding maximum repair damage limits in an MRB, 
before further flight, replace the MRB with an airworthy MRB.
    (3) Each inspection and repair procedure required for compliance 
with Paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD must be accomplished by 
a method approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO). For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, 
Boston ACO, as required by this AD, the Manager's approval letter 
must specifically refer to this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Nicholas Faust, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; 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

    Kaman Aerospace Corporation Maintenance Manual 04-00-00, 
Continued Airworthiness, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, and 
Kaman Aerospace Corporation Maintenance Manual 05-20-06, 1,000 Hour 
Rotor Blade Spar Inspection, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, 
which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional 
information about the subject of this AD. For service information 
identified in this AD, contact Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Old 
Windsor Rd., P.O. Box 2, Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002-0002; 
telephone (860) 242-4461; fax (860) 243-7047; or at http://www.kamanaero.com. 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.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210, Main Rotor 
MRB.


[[Page 39943]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 29, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16939 Filed 7-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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