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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44039-44041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17619]

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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]
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 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters with a jettisonable sliding door (door) installed. This 
proposed AD would 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

[[Page 44040]]

is correctly installed. This proposed AD is prompted by the uncommanded 
detaching of a door from an MBB-BK 117 C-2 fuselage. The proposed 
actions are intended to prevent the in-flight loss of the door, which 
could damage the helicopter and injure persons on the ground.

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 Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
matthew.fuller@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. 2011-0107, dated June 7, 2011, 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 opening the door, resulting in 
the door detaching from the fuselage. Although EASA initially did not 
consider this to be an unsafe condition, EASA has since 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.

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

    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 time-in-service (TIS) or two months, 
whichever occurs first, and thereafter after every door guide 
installation.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require within 50 hours TIS:
     Visually inspecting each door lock release assembly for 
any frayed cables, stripped threads on a screw joint, and any pitting 
on a door guide, release cable or associated hardware, as well as 
inspecting for correct installation.
     Replacing with airworthy parts any frayed cables, screw 
joints with stripped threads, or door guides, release cables and 
associated hardware that have pitting.
     Allowing for a minimum of one millimeter clearance at each 
end of the release cables.
     Installing the aft cover and aft inner handle.
     Inspecting each middle lever and upper lever locking bolt 
for correct installation.
     If the door cannot be correctly rigged, inspecting all 
hardware, guides, and door attachment points for misalignment or bent 
fittings. Replacing misaligned or bent parts with airworthy parts 
before operating the door in-flight and re-inspecting.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    This proposed AD would require that the inspections be conducted 
within 50 hours 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 proposed AD would 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 would not

[[Page 44041]]

require this repetitive inspection because that is considered normal 
maintenance.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 108 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour.
     Visually inspecting the door's lock release assembly and 
the middle and upper levers would require 4 work-hours for a labor cost 
of $340 per helicopter. No parts would be needed, so that the total 
cost for the U.S. fleet would be $36,720.
     Visually inspecting all hardware, guides and door 
attachment points for misaligned or bent fittings would require 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 would 
be 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 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 (Eurocopter): 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) 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 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), 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).

 (f) Special Flight Permit

    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 matthew.fuller@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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency AD No. 2011-0107, dated June 7, 2011. The subject of this AD 
is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-
0081, dated March 26, 2013. You may view the EASA AD in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

 (i) Subject

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

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 15, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17619 Filed 7-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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