[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59780-59781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29238]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-23-AD; Amendment 39-10195; AD 97-23-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-
BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2 and C-1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 
A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters, that establishes a new 
retirement life for the clutch and requires an entry into the Accessory 
Replacement Record indicating the new life limit. This amendment is 
prompted by a recalculation of life limitations by the part 
manufacturer, Warner Electric. The clutch manufacturer used the 
airframe load spectrum to establish the new life limit of 3,600 hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the clutch, loss of power to the main rotor and a 
subsequent forced landing of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 10, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lance T. Gant, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5114, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 
(Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 
helicopters was published in the Federal Register on February 4, 1997 
(62 FR 5186). That action proposed to establish a new retirement life 
for the clutch and to require an entry into the Accessory Replacement 
Record indicating the new life limit.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    The one commenter asked for a delay in the issuance of this AD 
until Warner Electric established a new retirement life on the affected 
clutch. The commenter indicated that an extended retirement life would 
be prepared by the clutch manufacturer by the end of May, 1997. To 
date, the FAA has received no further information about an extension to 
the retirement life of the clutch.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for some 
non-substantive word changes, insertion of Note 3 referencing the 
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) AD, and correction of the part number in 
paragraph (b). The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
this AD.
    The FAA estimates that 130 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$6,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $873,600.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

AD 97-23-07  Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-10195. Docket 
No. 96-SW-23-AD.

    Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, and B-2 
helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 7001 through 7250, and Model MBB-
BK 117 C-1 helicopters, S/N 7500 through 7520, with clutch, part 
number (P/N) 4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1, installed, certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability

[[Page 59781]]

provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or 
repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For 
helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that 
the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the 
owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (d) to 
request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no 
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the clutch, loss of power to the main 
rotor and a subsequent forced landing of the helicopter, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, make an entry into the Accessory Replacement Record 
to reflect a new life limit of 3,600 hours TIS for the clutch, P/N 
4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1.
    (b) Remove the clutch, P/N 4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1, from 
service on or before reaching 3,600 hours TIS. This AD revises the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual by 
establishing a new retirement life for the clutch, P/N 4639302044 or 
P/N CL42067-1, of 3,600 hours TIS.
    (c) Replacement of the clutch, P/N 4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1, 
with a clutch, P/N 4639202011, constitutes a terminating action for 
the requirements of this AD.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or 
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 10, 1997.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (Germany) AD 95-242, dated June 13, 1995.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29238 Filed 11-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U