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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 192 (Friday, October 3, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59697-59699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23588]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0758; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-062-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) 
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 
Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters with certain main rotor blades (MRB) 
installed. This proposed AD would require inspecting each MRB for a 
crack or damage. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that a crack 
was found on an MRB during a tear-down inspection. The proposed actions 
are intended to detect a crack in the MRB, which could lead to failure 
of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 2, 
2014.

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 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 
Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Old Windsor Rd., P.O. Box 2, Bloomfield, 
CT 06002-0002; telephone (860) 242-4461; fax (860) 243-7047; or at 
http://www.kamanaero.com. You may review a copy of 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: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 
01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; email nicholas.faust@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

[[Page 59698]]

possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change 
this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    We are proposing to adopt a new AD for Kaman Model K-1200 
helicopters with an MRB, part number (P/N) K911001-009, K911001-010, 
K911001-109, or K911001-110, installed. We received reports that during 
x-ray and teardown inspections with the MRB removed from the 
helicopter, cracks are being found in the MRB spar. To detect this 
unsafe condition, we are proposing requiring repetitive x-ray and 
visual inspections of the MRB for a crack, wood split, void, or 
delamination at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours time-in-service 
(TIS). If there is a crack, wood split, void, or delamination, the 
proposed AD would require repairing or replacing the MRB before further 
flight. The proposed AD would also require that any inspection or 
repair procedure performed in compliance with this AD receive prior 
approval from the Boston Aircraft Certification Office. The proposed 
actions are intended to detect a crack in the MRB, which could lead to 
failure of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

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

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Kaman Maintenance Manual 04-00-00, Continued 
Airworthiness, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, which establishes the 
airworthiness limitations for the Model K-1200 helicopter. The 
airworthiness limitations establish an MRB life limit of 8,000 hours 
TIS and also establish a recurring 1,000 hour Rotor Blade Spar 
Inspection for each MRB with 3,000 or more hours TIS.
    We also reviewed Kaman Maintenance Manual 05-20-06, 1,000 Hour 
Rotor Blade Spar Inspection, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, which 
specifies returning each MRB to Kaman every 1,000 hours for inspection 
after the MRB accumulates 3,000 hours TIS.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require performing repetitive X-Ray and 
visual inspections of each wooden MRB for a crack, wood split, void, or 
delamination at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours TIS. If there is a 
crack, wood split, void, or delamination, the proposed AD would require 
repairing or replacing the MRB before further flight. The inspections 
and repairs required by the proposed AD would be accomplished by a 
method approved by the Manager of the Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 11 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this proposed AD. At an average labor cost of $85 per 
hour, inspecting each matched pair of main rotor blades would require 
about 160 work-hours and required parts would cost about $2,000, for a 
cost per MRB set of $15,600 and a cost per helicopter of $31,200 per 
inspection cycle. If required, repairing a cracked MRB would require 
about 335 work-hours and required parts would cost about $15,000, for a 
cost per MRB of $43,475. If required, replacing a MRB set would require 
about 4 work-hours, and required parts would cost about $495,000, for a 
cost per helicopter of $495,340.

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Kaman Aerospace Corporation Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2014-0758; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-062-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Kaman Aerospace Incorporated (Kaman) Model K-
1200 helicopters with a main rotor blade (MRB) part number K911001-
009, K911001-010, K911001-109, or K911001-110 installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in an MRB, which 
could lead to failure of the MRB and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 2, 2014.

(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) Before the MRB reaches 3,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 
within 50 hours TIS,

[[Page 59699]]

whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 
1,000 hours TIS:
    (i) X-Ray inspect each MRB between station (STA) 30 and 289 for 
a crack, a wood split, a void, and delamination.
    (ii) Using a 10x or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each 
spar plank between STA 33 and STA 78 for a wood split or a crack, 
and inspect each spar plank to plank glueline for a void or 
delamination.
    (2) If there is a crack, wood split, void, or delamination 
within maximum repair damage limits in an MRB, before further 
flight, repair the MRB. If there is a crack, wood split, void, or 
delamination exceeding maximum repair damage limits in an MRB, 
before further flight, replace the MRB with an airworthy MRB.
    (3) Each inspection and repair procedure required for compliance 
with Paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD must be accomplished by 
a method approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO). For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, 
Boston ACO, as required by this AD, the Manager's approval letter 
must specifically refer to this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. 
Send your proposal to: Nicholas Faust, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7763; email 
nicholas.faust@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

    Kaman Aerospace Corporation Maintenance Manual 04-00-00, 
Continued Airworthiness, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, and 
Kaman Aerospace Corporation Maintenance Manual 05-20-06, 1,000 Hour 
Rotor Blade Spar Inspection, Revision 31, dated August 1, 2013, 
which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional 
information about the subject of this AD. You may review a copy of 
this information at the 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.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210: Main Rotor 
MRB.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 17, 2014.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23588 Filed 10-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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