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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 100 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30793-30795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12309]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model 
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 EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, 
T2, and T2+ helicopters to require inspecting each linear transducer 
bearing (bearing) for freedom of movement. This proposed AD would also 
require replacing the bearing if there is binding or rough turning or 
if there is chafing or damage on the lower side of the floor. Also, 
this proposed AD would require modifying and re-identifying a certain 
rod. This proposed AD is prompted by an incident involving limited 
control of a tail rotor because of the binding of a bearing. The 
proposed actions are intended to detect and replace each bearing 
subject to binding, which could lead to subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 22, 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 economic 
evaluation, any comments

[[Page 30794]]

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. 2006-0318 R1, dated October 27, 2006, to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Eurocopter Model EC 135 helicopters. EASA advises of 
an incident in which impaired control of an EC 135 tail rotor was 
detected. EASA states that according to examinations, the bearing of 
the linear transducer was subject to binding, which limited the control 
range.

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 exists and 
is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC135-67A-012, 
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB), which specifies inspecting 
the bearing of the linear transducer for freedom of movement and the 
lower side of the floor for chafing or damage. If there is binding, the 
ASB specifies replacing the bearing. If there is chafing or damage on 
the floor, the ASB specifies replacing the bearing and repairing the 
floor. The ASB also specifies modifying and reidentifying a certain 
rod. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued EASA AD 2006-0318 
R1, dated October 27, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, at specified intervals, inspecting 
each bearing for freedom of movement. If there is binding or rough 
turning, this proposed AD would require, before further flight, 
replacing the bearing or if there is chafing or damage on the lower 
side of the floor, replacing the bearing and repairing the floor, and, 
thereafter, installing a Teflon strip. This proposed AD would also 
require modifying the rod and re-identifying the rod and lever with a 
new part number.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    This proposed AD does not refer to the compliance date of October 
31, 2006, because that date has passed; instead we propose compliance 
within 100 hours TIS. The proposed AD would not require contacting 
Eurocopter customer support. This proposed AD would require modifying 
each rod within 100 hours TIS, rather than within 800 hours TIS as 
specified in the EASA AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 214 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD: It would take about 10 work-hours to 
inspect the bearing for freedom of movement at an average labor rate of 
$85 per work hour. No parts or materials are required for the 
inspection. Based on these estimates, the cost would be $850 per 
helicopter or $181,900 for the fleet of all U.S.-registered 
helicopters. If necessary, replacing the bearing would require 3 
additional work-hours, and parts would cost $50. Repairing the floor 
would require 3 additional work hours and minimal cost for materials.

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

[[Page 30795]]

    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: Docket No. FAA-2013-0446; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-SW-007-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ 
helicopters, with bearing, part number (P/N) LN9367GE6N2; rod, P/N 
L671M5040205; lever, P/N L671M5040101; and floor, P/N L533M1014101, 
L533M1014102, L533M1014103, L533M1014104, L533M1014105 or 
L533M1014106, installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as limited control of a 
tail rotor because of the binding of a bearing. This condition could 
result in subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) 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.

(d) Required Actions

    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 800 hours TIS, inspect each bearing for 
freedom of movement by turning and tilting the bearing as depicted 
in Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-67A-012, 
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB). During any inspection:
    (i) If there is binding or rough turning, before further flight, 
replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing.
    (ii) If there is chafing on the lower side of the floor that 
does not extend through the panel outer layer, before further 
flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing.
    (iii) If there is damage on the lower side of the floor in the 
area of the assembly opening that extends through the panel outer 
layer (revealing an open honeycomb cell or layer), before further 
flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing and repair the 
floor.
    (2) After performing the actions in (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of 
this AD, before further flight, install a Teflon strip and identify 
the floor by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 
3.E.(1) through 3.E.(4), of the ASB.
    (3) Within 100 hours TIS, modify and re-identify the rod as 
depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB and by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 3.H.(1) through 3.H.(3)(f), of the ASB.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (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 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.

(f) Additional Information

    (1) For service information identified in this 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 copies 
of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2006-0318 R1, dated October 27, 2006.

(g) Subject

    The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6720: Tail 
Rotor Control System.

    Issued In Fort Worth, Texas, on May 14, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12309 Filed 5-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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