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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34831-34833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14852]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0577; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-042-AD; 
Amendment 39-18184; AD 2015-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

July 6, 2015
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, 
EC135T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting 
certain washers for movement and making appropriate repairs if the 
washers move. This AD was prompted by play found between the Smart 
Electro Mechanical Actuator (SEMA) and the control rod during 
installation work on a helicopter. The actions of this AD are intended 
to prevent loss of concerned control axis and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective July 23, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of July 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 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, 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 European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, 
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 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:

Discussion

    On August 18, 2014, at 79 FR 48707, 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, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, and MBB-
BK 117 C-2 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting certain 
washers for movement in the attachment hardware that connects the SEMA 
and the control rod of the longitudinal, lateral, and yaw actuators. If 
a washer can be moved, the NPRM proposed replacing the four screws, 
installing two additional washers, and torque-tightening the screws. 
The proposed requirements were intended to prevent loss of concerned 
control axis

[[Page 34832]]

and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0176, 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 Model EC 135 P1 (CDS), EC 135 P1 (CPDS), EC 135 P2+, 
EC 135 P2 (CPDS), EC 135 T1 (CDS), EC 135 T1 (CPDS), EC 135 T2+, EC 135 
T2 (CPDS), EC 635 P2+, EC 635 T1 (CPDS), EC 635 T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters. EASA advises that during installation work on a 
helicopter, it was discovered that it was not possible to install 
attachment hardware on a threaded blind borehole between the SEMA and 
the control rod without play. EASA advises that this condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to loss of the concerned control 
axis, possibly resulting in loss of helicopter control. For these 
reasons, EASA AD No. 2013-0176 requires a one-time inspection of the 
affected SEMA attachment hardware to detect improper connection and 
play and, depending on the findings, replacement of the affected 
hardware. After the issuance of EASA AD No. 2013-0176, Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH changed its name to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland 
GmbH.

Comments

    After our NPRM (79 FR 48707, August 18, 2014) was published, we 
received comments from one commenter.

Request

    Air Methods stated that the proposed AD requires compliance with 
Revision 1 of the service information and requested that previous 
compliance with the original service information, Revision 0, be 
included as an acceptable method of compliance in the AD.
    We agree. We have added a paragraph to the AD giving credit for 
previous compliance with Revision 0 of the service information.

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, reviewed the relevant information, 
considered the comment 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

    The EASA AD applies to Eurocopter Model EC635P2+, EC635T1 and 
EC635T2+ helicopters. This AD does not apply to these model helicopters 
because they have no FAA type certificate.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Eurocopter reported in Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) EC135-22A-
015, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2013, and MBB BK117 C-2-22A-009, 
Revision 1, dated August 3, 2009, that it was discovered during the 
installation work on a helicopter that it was not possible to establish 
attachment hardware on a threaded blind borehole between the SEMA and 
the control rod without play. The ASBs state that ``unfavourable adding 
of the tolerances'' of the individual attachment hardware elements 
caused the screw to push against the bottom of the threaded blind 
borehole on the SEMA, preventing any clamping force on the screw head. 
The ASBs call for inspecting the SEMA attachment hardware connected to 
their respective control rods for play and making the proper 
adjustments to eliminate any play.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 385 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 per work hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Inspecting for movement of the washers requires 1.5 work 
hours for a labor cost of $128 per helicopter and $49,280 for the U.S. 
fleet.
     Replacing the screws and related work requires an 
additional 0.5 work-hours for a labor cost of $43. Screws cost $4 each 
while washers cost $10 each. We estimate the cost at $79 per repair.

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):

[[Page 34833]]

2015-12-09 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters): Amendment 39-
18184; Docket No. FAA-2014-0577; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-042-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135T1, 
EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as loose attachment 
hardware between the Smart Electro Mechanical Actuator (SEMA) and a 
control rod. This condition could result in loss of the control axis 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 23, 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) Within 50 hours time in service (TIS), for Model EC135P1, 
EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, and EC135T2+ helicopters, do 
the following:
    (i) Using Figure 1 and Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin EC135-22A-015, Revision 1, dated January 28, 2013 (ASB 
EC135-22A-015) as reference, inspect the attachment hardware between 
the SEMA and the longitudinal actuator control rod to determine 
whether any of the washers can be moved.
    (A) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (B) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, part number (P/N) EN2139-05016, to 
connect the SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 
5-6 Nm.
    (ii) Using Figure 1 and Figure 2 of ASB EC135-22A-015 as 
reference, inspect the attachment hardware between the SEMA and the 
lateral actuator control rod to determine whether any of the washers 
can be moved.
    (A) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (B) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, P/N EN2139-05016, to connect the 
SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 5-6 Nm.
    (iii) Using Figure 1, Figure 3, and Figure 4 of ASB EC135-22A-
015 as reference, inspect the attachment hardware between the SEMA 
and the yaw actuator control rod to determine whether any of the 
washers can be moved.
    (A) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (B) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, P/N EN2139-05016, to connect the 
SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 5-6 Nm.
    (2) Within 50 hours TIS, for Model MBB BK117 C-2 helicopters, 
using Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-
22A-009, Revision 1, dated August 3, 2009, as reference, inspect the 
attachment hardware between the Yaw-SEMA and the Yaw-SEMA control 
rod to determine whether any of the washers can be moved.
    (i) If no washer can be moved, no further action is needed.
    (ii) If a washer can be moved, replace the four screws and 
install two additional washers, P/N EN2139-05016, to connect the 
SEMA with the control rod. Torque-tighten each screw to 5-6 Nm and 
apply polyurethane lacquer onto the attachment hardware.

(f) Credit for Previous Actions

    If you performed the actions in Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin EC135-22A-015, Revision 0, dated May 13, 2018, or 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-22A-009, Revision 0, 
May 13, 2008, before the effective date of this AD, you met the 
requirements of this AD.

(g) 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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0176, dated August 7, 2013. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0577.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2213, Flight 
Controller.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-22A-015, Revision 1, 
dated January 28, 2013.
    (ii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-22A-009, 
Revision 1, dated August 3, 2009.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in 
this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 9, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14852 Filed 6-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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