46426 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 178 / Thursday, September 13, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

may view the EASA AD on the internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 5220, Emergency Exits 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 

2018. 

Scott A. Horn, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19736 Filed 9–12–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–1126; Product 

Identifier 2017–SW–125–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 

(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland 

GmbH) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97–26–03 

for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 

Model MBB–BK 117 A–1, MBB–BK 117 

A–3, MBB–BK 117 A–4, MBB–BK 117 

B–1, MBB–BK 117 B–2, and MBB–BK 

117 C–1 helicopters. AD 97–26–03 

requires visual inspections for cracks in 

the ribbed area of the main rotor (M/R) 

mast flange (flange). Since we issued AD 

97–26–03, we have determined that a 

certain reinforced M/R mast is not 

affected by the unsafe condition. This 

proposed AD would retain the 

requirements of AD 97–26–03 and 

would remove a certain M/R mast from 

the applicability. The actions of this 

proposed AD are intended to address an 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by November 13, 

2018. 

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 by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– 

1126; or in person at Docket Operations 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

The AD docket contains this proposed 

AD, the European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD, the economic 

evaluation, any comments received and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations (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 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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/ 

en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. You 

may review this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–321, 

Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt 

Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft 

Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

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 

We issued AD 97–26–03, Amendment 

39–10246 (62 FR 65750, December 16, 

1997) (AD 97–26–03) for Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH) Model 

MBB–BK 117 A–1, MBB–BK 117 A–3, 

MBB–BK 117 A–4, MBB–BK 117 B–1, 

MBB–BK 117 B–2, and MBB–BK 117 C– 

1 helicopters. AD 97–26–03 requires 

visual inspections for cracks in the 

ribbed area of the M/R flange and 

replacing the M/R mast if a crack is 

found. AD 97–26–03 was prompted by 

AD 97–276, effective September 25, 

1997, issued by Luftfahrt-Bundesamt 

(LBA), which is the airworthiness 

authority for Germany, to correct an 

unsafe condition for Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH Model MBB–BK 117 

A–1, MBB–BK 117 A–3, MBB–BK 117 

A–4, MBB–BK 117 B–1, MBB–BK 117 

B–2, and MBB–BK 117 C–1 helicopters. 

The LBA AD required immediate and 

repetitive inspections for a crack in the 

flange area after an M/R mast was found 

to have cracks ‘‘of critical magnitude.’’ 

When LBA AD 97–276 was issued, the 

cause of the cracks was under 

investigation. The actions of AD 97–26– 

03 are intended to detect cracks in the 

flange, which could result in failure of 

the flange and subsequent loss of 

helicopter control. 

Actions Since AD 97–26–03 Was Issued 

Since we issued AD 97–26–03, EASA, 

which is the Technical Agent for the 

Member States of the European Union, 

issued EASA AD No. 2017–0193, dated 

September 29, 2017, to supersede the 

LBA AD. EASA advises that reinforced 

M/R mast part number (P/N) 4639 305 

095, which is part of M/R mast assembly 

P/N 4639 205 016, is not affected by the 

unsafe condition. The EASA AD retains 

the repetitive inspection requirements 

but only for helicopters with M/R mast 

P/N 4639 305 002. 

Also, since we issued AD 97–26–03, 

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 

Helicopters changed its name to Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH. This 

proposed AD reflects that change and 

updates the contact information to 

obtain service documentation. 

Additionally, the FAA’s Aircraft 

Certification Service has changed its 


daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 178 / Thursday, September 13, 2018 / Proposed Rules 46427 

organizational structure. The new 

structure replaces product directorates 

with functional divisions. We have 

revised some of the office titles and 

nomenclature throughout this proposed 

AD to reflect the new organizational 

changes. Additional information about 

the new structure can be found in the 

Notice published on July 25, 2017 (82 

FR 34564). 

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 Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert 

Service Bulletin No. ASB MBB–BK117– 

10–114, Revision 1, dated July 28, 2017. 

This service information specifies 

visually inspecting the area of the holes 

on the underside of the flange for 

cracks, especially in the ribbed area 

between the holes, and if cracks are 

found, contacting Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH before further flight 

for advice on how to proceed. This 

service information applies to 

helicopters with M/R mast assembly P/ 

N 4639205011. 

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. 

Other Related Service Information 

We also reviewed Eurocopter Alert 

Service Bulletin No. ASB MBB–BK117– 

10–114, dated August 27, 1997, which 

specifies visually inspecting the area of 

the holes on the underside of the flange 

for cracks, especially in the ribbed area 

between the holes, and if cracks are 

found, contacting Eurocopter Helicopter 

Deutschland GmbH before further flight 

for advice on how to proceed. This 

service information applies to 

helicopters with M/R mast assembly P/ 

N 4639205011 or 4639205016. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

before further flight and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 100 hours timein-service, visually inspecting the flange 

in the ribbed area for a crack using a 5- 

power or higher magnifying glass. If a 

crack exists, this proposed AD would 

require removing the M/R mast before 

further flight and replacing it with an 

airworthy M/R mast. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

The EASA AD requires contacting 

Airbus Helicopters if a crack is found on 

the flange for applicable instructions, 

whereas this proposed AD would 

require replacing the M/R mast with an 

airworthy M/R mast before further 

flight. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 62 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry and that labor costs average $85 

per work-hour. Based on these 

estimates, we expect the following costs: 

• Visually inspecting the flange for a 

crack would require .25 work-hour and 

no parts for a cost of about $21 per 

helicopter and $1,302 for the U.S. fleet 

per inspection cycle. 

• Replacing the M/R mast would 

require 10 work-hours and parts would 

cost $50,000 for a cost of $50,850 per 

helicopter. 

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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

97–26–03, Amendment 39–10246 (62 

FR 65750, December 16, 1997), and 

adding the following new AD: 

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 

(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland 

GmbH): Docket No. FAA–2017–1126; 

Product Identifier 2017–SW–125–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH (previously Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH) Model MBB–BK 117 A– 

1, MBB–BK 117 A–3, MBB–BK 117 A–4, 

MBB–BK 117 B–1, MBB–BK 117 B–2, and 

MBB–BK 117 C–1 helicopters, certificated 

any category, with a main rotor (M/R) mast 

assembly part number (P/N) 4639 205 011 

installed. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as a 

crack in a M/R mast flange. This condition 

could result in failure of the mast flange and 

subsequent loss of helicopter control. 

(c) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 97–26–03, 

Amendment 39–10246 (62 FR 65750, 

December 16, 1997). 


daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
46428 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 178 / Thursday, September 13, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

(d) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by November 

13, 2018. 

(e) 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. 

(f) Required Actions 

(1) Before further flight, and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-inservice, visually inspect the flange in the 

ribbed area for cracks using a 5-power or 

higher magnifying glass in accordance with 

paragraphs 2.A.1 and 2.A.2 of the 

Accomplishment Instructions in Airbus 

Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB– 

MBB–BK 117–10–114, Revision 1, dated July 

28, 2017. 

(2) If a crack is found as a result of the 

inspections specified in paragraph (f)(1) of 

this AD, remove the cracked M/R mast and 

replace it with an airworthy M/R mast. 

(g) Credit for Previous Actions 

Actions accomplished before the effective 

date of this AD in accordance with the 

procedures specified in AD 97–26–03, dated 

December 16, 1997, are acceptable for 

compliance with the corresponding actions 

specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this 

AD. 

(h) Special Flight Permit 

A special flight permit will not be 

permitted. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 

may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your 

proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 

Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, 

Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9-ASWFTW-AMOC-Requests@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. 

(j) Additional Information 

(1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin No. ASB MBB–BK 117–10–114, 

dated August 27, 1997, which is not 

incorporated by reference, contains 

additional information about the subject of 

this AD. 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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/ 

Technical-Support_73.html. 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. 2017–0193, dated September 29, 2017. 

You may view the EASA AD on the internet 

at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD 

Docket. 

(k) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6300, Main Rotor Drive System. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 29, 

2018. 

Scott A. Horn, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–19737 Filed 9–12–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0794; Product 

Identifier 2017–NM–175–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, 

Inc. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede 

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012–25– 

02, which applies to certain 

Bombardier, Inc. Model CL–600–2B19 

(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 

airplanes. AD 2012–25–02 requires 

revising the airworthiness limitations 

section (AWL) of the instructions for 

continued airworthiness (ICA) of the 

maintenance requirements manual by 

incorporating new procedures for 

repetitive inspections for cracking of the 

rear pressure bulkhead (RPB). AD 2012– 

25–02 also requires revising the 

maintenance program to incorporate a 

revised task which requires an 

improved non-destructive inspection 

procedure. Since we issued AD 2012– 

25–02, additional in-service crack 

findings resulted in the development of 

a structural modification to the RPB. 

This proposed AD would mandate 

modification of the RPB and would add 

repetitive inspections for cracking of the 

RPB web, which would terminate 

certain actions in this proposed AD. We 

are proposing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 29, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Bombardier, Inc., 

400 Coˆte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, 

Que ́bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody 

Customer Response Center North 

America toll-free telephone 1–866–538– 

1247 or direct-dial telephone 514–855– 

5000; fax 514–855–7401; email ac.yul@

aero.bombardier.com; internet http://

www.bombardier.com. You may view 

this referenced service information at 

the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 

2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 206–231– 

3195. 

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–2018– 

0794; or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this NPRM, the regulatory 

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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aziz 

Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 

and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, 

New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 

Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone 516–228–7329; fax 

516–794–5531. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2018–0794; Product Identifier 2017– 

NM–175–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 


daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS