Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 108 (Monday, June 6, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36137-36139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13103]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 36137]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0903; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-043-AD; 
Amendment 39-18548; AD 2016-11-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and 
EC135T2+ helicopters. This AD requires reducing the life limit of 
certain parts and removing each part that has reached its life limit. 
The actions of this AD are intended to reduce the life limits of 
certain critical parts to prevent failure of a part and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective July 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; 
or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0903; 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On November 13, 2014, at 79 FR 67382, 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 Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and 
EC135T2+ helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require, before further 
flight, revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the 
applicable maintenance manual and the component history card or 
equivalent record by reducing the life limit for various parts and 
removing from service any part that has reached its life limit. The 
proposed requirements were intended to reduce the life limits of 
certain critical parts to prevent failure of a part and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0178, dated August 7, 2013, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH (ECD) (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, 
EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC635T1, EC635P2+, and EC635T2+ 
helicopters. EASA advises that ECD has revised the airworthiness 
limitations for the EC135 and EC635 type design as published in the 
Master Servicing Manual (MSM) EC135 Chapter 04--ALS documents. Revision 
14 of the MSM contains these new airworthiness limitations. EASA states 
that failure to comply with these limitations could result in an unsafe 
condition. For these reasons, EASA AD No. 2013-0178 requires revising 
the ALS to include the new life limits and replacing each part that has 
reached its life limit.
    Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA Southwest Regional Office has 
relocated and a group email address has been established for requesting 
an FAA Alternative Method of Compliance for a helicopter of foreign 
design. We have updated this information throughout this Final Rule.

Comments

    After our NPRM (79 FR 67382, November 13, 2014) was published, we 
received comments from three commenters.

Request

    Three commenters requested that the FAA not issue this AD. The 
commenters stated an AD to revise the airworthiness limitations of an 
aircraft manual is unnecessary because operators are required to use 
the most current revision of the manual.
    We disagree. The FAA must issue an AD to mandate an airworthiness 
limitations revision, such as a new life limit, for all operators.

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, considered the comments received, 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 apply to Airbus Helicopters Model EC635T1, P2+, or 
EC635T2+ helicopters because those helicopters are not type 
certificated in the U.S.

[[Page 36138]]

Related Service Information

    The airworthiness limitations and maintenance procedures for 
certain parts are contained in the Airworthiness Limitations section, 
Chapter 4, of Eurocopter's MSM EC135, dated December 1, 2001. Revision 
14 of the MSM, dated July 1, 2012, establishes a life limit for certain 
part-numbered main rotor blades and reduces the life limits for 
swashplate and mixing lever gear unit parts.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 267 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. We 
estimate 2 work-hours to update the maintenance manual for a total cost 
of $170 for each helicopter and $45,390 for the U.S. fleet.

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):

2016-11-21 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH): Amendment 39-18548; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0903; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-043-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, 
EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a critical 
part, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 11, 2016.

(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

    Before further flight:
    (1) Revise the life limit of each part listed in paragraphs 
(e)(1)(i) and (ii) in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
applicable maintenance manual and record the revised life limit on 
the component history card or equivalent record as follows:
    (i) For swashplate parts:
    (A) Ring (bearing ring), part number (P/N) L623M2001214, reduce 
the life limit from 8,300 hours time-in-service (TIS) to 8,000 hours 
TIS.
    (B) Ring (control ring), P/N L623M2001213, reduce the life limit 
from 8,300 hours TIS to 8,000 hours TIS.
    (C) Cardan ring (two-part), P/N L623M2005205, reduce the life 
limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.
    (D) Bolt (control ring), P/N L671M7001215, reduce the life limit 
from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.
    (E) Bolt (sliding sleeve), P/N L623M2006206 and P/N 
L623M2006213, reduce the life limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 
hours TIS.
    (ii) For mixing lever gear unit parts:
    (A) Forked lever assembly, P/N L671M3012102, reduce the life 
limit from 9,000 hours TIS to 8,700 hours TIS.
    (B) Hinged support, P/N L671M7003210, reduce the life limit from 
8,700 hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.
    (C) Bolt, P/N L671M7001220, reduce the life limit from 8,700 
hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.
    (2) Remove from service any part listed in paragraph (e)(1) of 
this AD that has reached or exceeded its newly revised life limit.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are limited to a one-time flight to a 
maintenance facility to replace a part that has reached its life 
limit.

(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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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

    (1) Eurocopter Master Servicing Manual EC135 Chapter 04--
Airworthiness Limitations Section, Revision 14, dated July 1, 2012, 
which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional 
information about the subject of this final rule. For service 
information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 
N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or 
(800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review a copy of the 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0178, dated August 7, 2013. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0903.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300, 2700 
Swashplate Ring, Cardan

[[Page 36139]]

Ring, Bolt, Mixing Lever Gear Unit (flight controls).

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 23, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13103 Filed 6-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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