Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2012 / Proposed Rules 27661 

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 adding 

the following new Airworthiness 

Directive (AD): 

Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH: Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0503; Directorate Identifier 

2011–SW–032–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Model BO–105A, BO– 

105C, and BO–105S helicopters, certificated 

in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

deterioration of the main gearbox (MGB) 

caused by oil contamination. This condition 

could result in MGB failure and 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) 

or 3 months, or at the next scheduled MGB 

magnetic plug/chip detector (magnetic plug) 

inspection, whichever occurs first, and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours 

TIS, inspect the MGB oil filter for chips and 

the MGB magnetic plug for fine particles 

(magnetic fuzz) or chips. A ‘‘chip’’ is a solid 

piece of metal but not metallic fuzz. 

(i) If there are no chips on the MGB oil 

filter or on the magnetic plug, and the 

metallic fuzz covers less than 25% of the 

magnetic plug, clean the magnetic plug. 

(ii) If there are no chips on the MGB oil 

filter or on the magnetic plug, but the 

metallic fuzz covers 25% or more of the 

magnetic plug, flush the main transmission, 

change the oil, perform a ground run for 15 

minutes at the flight-idle power setting, and 

then re-inspect the MGB oil filter and 

magnetic plug for a chip and the quantity of 

metallic fuzz on the metallic plug. 

(iii) If there is a chip on the MGB oil filter 

or on the magnetic plug, or, after complying 

with paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this AD, metallic 

fuzz covers 25% or more of the magnetic 

plug, replace the main transmission with an 

airworthy main transmission and clean the 

oil cooler and oil lines. 

(2) At intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, 

inspect the magnetic plug for a chip or 

metallic fuzz in accordance with the 

requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this AD. 

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, 

Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137, telephone (817) 222–5110, email 

rao.edupuganti@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a Part 

119 operating certificate or under 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) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 

BO105–10–125, Revision 1, dated April 4, 

2011, which is not incorporated by reference, 

contains 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. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

No. 2011–0091, dated May 18, 2011. 

(g) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6320: Main Rotor Gearbox. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 2, 

2012. 

Carlton N. Cochran, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–11468 Filed 5–10–12; 8:45 am][FR 

Doc. 2012–11468 Filed 5–10–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0500; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–014–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) 

model EC135 helicopters, except the EC 

135 P2+ and T2+. This proposed AD 

was prompted by two reports of the 

plain journal bearings moving in 

relation to the main rotor swashplate 

sliding sleeve (sliding sleeve). The 

actions specified by this proposed AD 

are intended to detect shifting of the 

plain journal bearing, which could limit 

the movement of the collective control 

and result in subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by July 10, 2012. 

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. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

27662 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

• 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 American 

Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum 

Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75053–4005, 

telephone (800) 232–0323, fax (972) 

641–3710, or at http:// 

www.eurocopter.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: Gary 

Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and 

Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone 

(817) 222–5130, email: 

gary.b.roach@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 AD No. 2009–0272, 

dated December 18, 2009 (AD 2009– 

0272), to correct an unsafe condition for 

Eurocopter Model EC 135 and EC 635 

helicopters. EASA advises that during 

two separate pre-flight checks on Model 

EC 135 helicopters in 2005, it was 

detected that one of the plain journal 

bearings of the sliding sleeve had moved 

to the outside of the sliding sleeve. 

EASA states that this condition, if not 

detected and corrected, could lead to a 

complete shift of the plain journal 

bearing to the inside or outside, creating 

the possibility of a limited movement of 

the collective, which could result in 

reduced control of the helicopter. 

FAA’s Determination 

These helicopters have been approved 

by the aviation authority of the Federal 

Republic of Germany and are approved 

for operation in the United States. 

Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with 

the Federal Republic of 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 helicopters of 

these same type designs. 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service 

Bulletin (ASB) EC135–62A–021, dated 

June 23, 2005 (EC135–62A–021). 

EC135–62A–021 describes procedures 

for visually checking the upper and 

lower plain journal bearings of the 

sliding sleeve during preflight. EASA 

classified this ASB as mandatory and 

issued AD 2009–0272 to ensure the 

continued airworthiness of these 

helicopters. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require, at 

intervals not to exceed 5 hours time in 

service (TIS), visually inspecting the 

upper and lower plain journal bearings 

of the sliding sleeve to detect a 

dislocated plain journal bearing on 

Eurocopter Model EC 135 P1, P2, T1, 

and T2 helicopters with swashplate 

sliding sleeve, part number (P/N) 

L623M2006101, installed. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

This proposed AD differs from the 

EASA AD as follows: 

• This proposed AD requires the 

inspection to be performed by a 

mechanic, and repeated every 5 hours 

TIS. AD 2009–0272 allows the visual 

inspection to be accomplished by a pilot 

during preflight inspection. 

• This proposed AD does not require 

contacting ECD customer service for 

corrective actions. 

• This proposed AD provides 

terminating action for the inspection 

requirements for the upper and lower 

plain journal bearings by replacing the 

swashplate assembly with a later-design 

swashplate assembly, P/N 

L623M2005103. 

• The EASA AD applies to ECD 

model EC635 aircraft, and this proposed 

AD does not because the EC635 does not 

have an FAA issued type-certificate. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 218 helicopters of U.S. 

registry. We estimate that operators may 

incur the following costs in order to 

comply with this AD. Inspecting the 

upper and lower plain journal bearings 

requires about .25 work hour at an 

average labor rate of $85 per hour, for 

a cost per helicopter of $22 and a total 

cost to the U.S. operator fleet of $4,796 

per inspection cycle. If required, 

replacing the swashplate assembly will 

require about 8 work hours at an average 

labor rate of $85 per hour, and required 

parts will cost about $38,586, for a total 

cost per helicopter of $39,266. 

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. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2012 / Proposed Rules 27663 

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 adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH: Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0500; Directorate Identifier 

2010–SW–014–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to all Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model EC135 

helicopters, except EC 135 P2+ and EC135 

T2+, with a swashplate assembly, part 

number (P/N) L623M2006101, installed, 

certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

movement of the plain journal bearings to the 

outside of the main rotor swashplate sliding 

sleeve (sliding sleeve). This condition could 

limit movement of the collective and 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 

Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5 hours 

TIS: 

(1) Visually inspect the position of the 

upper plain journal bearings and determine 

if it is flush with the sliding sleeve. 

Note 1: Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert 

Service Bulletin EC135–62A–021, dated June 

23, 2005, which is not incorporated by 

reference, contains additional information 

about the inspection. 

(2) Visually inspect the lower plain journal 

bearing and determine if it is recessed 2 

millimeters from the sliding sleeve. 

(3) If the upper plain journal bearing is not 

flush with the sliding sleeve or the lower 

plain journal bearing is not recessed 2mm, 

before further flight, replace the swashplate 

assembly with an airworthy swashplate 

assembly. 

(4) Replacing the swashplate assembly, 

P/N L623M2006101, with a later designed 

swashplate assembly, P/N L623M2005103, 

constitutes a terminating action for the 

requirements of this AD. 

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137, telephone (817) 222–5130, email: 

gary.b.roach@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a Part 

119 operating certificate or under 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) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 

EC135–62A–021, dated June 23, 2005, which 

is not incorporated by reference, contains 

additional information about the subject of 

this AD. For service information identified in 

this AD, contact American Eurocopter 

Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 

Prairie, TX 75053–4005, telephone (800) 

232–0323, fax (972) 641–3710, or at http:// 

www.eurocopter.com. You may review a 

copy 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 2009– 

0272, dated December 18, 2009. 

(g) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6230: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 2, 

2012. 

Carlton N. Cochran, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–11470 Filed 5–10–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0502; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–097–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Aeronautical 

Accessories, Inc. High Landing Gear 

Forward Crosstube Assembly 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) 

high landing gear forward crosstube 

assemblies (crosstubes) installed on 

Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 

and AB412EP; and Bell Helicopter 

Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 205A, 205A– 

1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP 

helicopters during production or based 

on a supplemental type certificate 

(STC). This proposed AD is prompted 

by two reports from the field of failed 

crosstubes. The proposed actions are 

intended to prevent failure of a 

crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by July 10, 2012. 

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. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS