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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44050-44052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17632]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0634; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-023-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 23, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 proposed AD, the foreign 
authority's AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office 
(telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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.

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 matt.wilbanks@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
No. 2011-0111R1, dated September 22, 2011, which revises EASA AD No. 
2011-0111, dated June 10, 2011, to correct an unsafe condition for 
certain Model EC135P2+ and EC135T2+ helicopters. EASA

[[Page 44051]]

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 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.

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 proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) EC 135-
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 (SB) EC 135-21-015, 
Revision 0, dated July 12, 2011, to introduce the replacement of the 
affected compressor bearing block with a ``new, improved'' compressor 
bearing block.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 25 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), visually inspecting the upper bearing for corrosion, leaking 
grease, condensation or water--indications that the upper bearing is 
failing. If only condensation exists, the proposed AD would require 
repeating the inspection at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS. If 
none of those conditions exists, the proposed AD would require 
repeating the inspection at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. If 
there is water, corrosion, or leaking grease, this proposed AD would 
require deactivating the air conditioning system.

Costs of Compliance

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

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2013-0634; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-023-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to 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) Comments Due Date.

    We must receive comments by September 23, 2013.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished 
previously.

(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

[[Page 44052]]

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. EC 135-21A-013, 
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 matt.wilbanks@faa.gov.
    (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

    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.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2100, air 
conditioning system.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17632 Filed 7-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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