Document ID: FAA-2012-0221-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight
Posted Date: 2013-05-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 95 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28725-28727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11383]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0221; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-082-AD; 
Amendment 39-17454; AD 2013-10-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for a 
certain Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight Assembly (searchlight) 
installed on, but not limited to Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and 
Model AW139 helicopters, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model 
S-92A helicopters, and Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model 
EC135 and Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This AD requires, before 
further flight, inserting information into the Normal Procedures 
section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), a daily check of the 
searchlight, and at a specified time interval or if certain conditions 
are found, modifying any affected searchlight gimbal assembly. This AD 
was prompted by a report of a searchlight vibrating and an 
investigation that revealed that the gimbal azimuth top nut was loose. 
A loose nut, if not detected and corrected, could result in a gap 
between the rubber edging of the top shroud and the gimbal frame, 
leading to degradation of pointing accuracy and stability performance 
of the searchlight and excessive vibration. If the nut were to entirely 
disengage, the searchlight could disconnect partially or totally from 
the helicopter, resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to 
persons on the ground. The actions of this AD are intended to ensure 
that the searchlight remains firmly attached to the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective June 20, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of June 20, 2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Spectrolab, Inc. ATTN: Saul Vargas, 12500 Gladstone Ave., Sylmar, CA 
91342, telephone (818) 365-4611, fax (818) 361-5102, or on the internet 
at http://www.spectrolab.com. 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, 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 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: 

Discussion

    On March 8, 2012, at 77 FR 13993, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Spectrolab 
Nightsun XP Searchlights. The NPRM proposed to require before further 
flight, inserting information into the Normal Procedures section of the 
RFM, a daily check of the searchlight, and at a specified time interval 
or if certain conditions are found, modifying any affected searchlight 
gimbal assembly. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate may perform the visual check and must show compliance 
by updating the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 
CFR 43.9(a)(1)-(4) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). This visual check is authorized 
because it requires no special tools and can be performed equally well 
by a pilot or mechanic; this authorization is an exception to our 
standard maintenance regulations. The proposed requirements were 
intended to ensure the searchlight remains firmly attached to the 
helicopter after a report that the searchlight was vibrating.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
No. 2010-

[[Page 28726]]

0237R2, dated December 14, 2010, to correct an unsafe condition for the 
Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlights installed on the following model 
helicopters: Agusta AB139 and AW139, Sikorsky S-92A, and Eurocopter 
MBB-BK 117 C2 and EC 135 series. EASA advises of a reported incident 
where vibration was associated with the Spectrolab Nightsun XP 
Searchlight, and states that an investigation revealed the Gimbal 
Azimuth Top Hex Nut was loose. EASA advises that this condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to a gap between the rubber edging 
of the top shroud and the Gimbal frame, resulting in excessive 
vibration and degradation of pointing accuracy and stability 
performance. If the nut were to entirely disengage, the Searchlight/
Gimbal could disconnect from the helicopter and remain attached solely 
by the internal cable harness or separate totally, resulting in damage 
to the helicopter or injury to persons on the ground.

Comments

    After our NPRM (77 FR 13993, March 8, 2012) was published, we 
received comments from one commenter.

Request

    One commenter requested that the NPRM (77 FR 13993, March 8, 2012) 
refer to the most recent amendment to Spectrolab's Nightsun XP Safety 
and Service Bulletin No. SL 0810-01, Amendment No. 3, dated September 
27, 2010 (Spectrolab service bulletin). We disagree that this change is 
necessary, because that amendment does not affect the proposed AD's 
requirements.
    The commenter also stated that the NPRM (77 FR 13993, March 8, 
2012) refers to EASA AD No. 2010-0183, which had been superseded, and 
requested that our AD instead refer to the EASA AD revision, EASA AD 
No. 2010-0237R2, dated December 14, 2010. We agree. Our NPRM referred 
to EASA AD No. 2010-0237R2 in our Discussion and Additional Information 
sections.
    Finally, the commenter requested that the NPRM (77 FR 13993, March 
8, 2012) include a statement that, for Agusta aircraft, compliance with 
the Agusta Westland Bollettino Tecnico 139-231 would be terminating 
action for this AD. We disagree. The Agusta service bulletin recommends 
contacting or sending parts to Spectrolab to meet requirements. Our AD 
refers to a Spectrolab document to meet the requirements for 
terminating action. Adding compliance with the Agusta service bulletin 
as terminating action would be repetitive.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information, considered the comments 
received, and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is likely 
to exist or develop on other products 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 differences between this AD and the EASA AD are:
    We require modifying and re-identifying the searchlight within 100 
hours TIS, while the EASA AD imposes a calendar date for compliance.
    The EASA AD requires contacting the design (change) approval holder 
if discrepancies are found during the inspection of the searchlight 
installation, and we do not require this action.

Related Service Information

    Spectrolab has issued Nightsun XP Searchlight Safety and Service 
Bulletin No. SL 0810-01, Amendment No. 2, dated September 24, 2010 
(SB), which describes a design change that incorporates two positive 
locking mechanisms: A torque value and safety wire applied to the nut. 
These locking mechanisms prevent the gimbal azimuth top nut from 
loosening and allowing the center shaft to rotate out. Spectrolab has 
also issued Nightsun XP Searchlight System Kit and Procedure to 
Incorporate EASA AD 2010-0183 Conformance, 034374 Revision NC, approved 
September 28, 2010 (Kit and Procedure). Once modified in accordance 
with the Kit and Procedure, the Nightsun XP gimbals are re-identified 
with a new nameplate and overlay from a P/N 033295-1 to 033295-3, or P/
N 033295-2 to 033295-4.
    EASA classified this modification as mandatory and issued EASA AD 
No. 2010-0237R2, dated December 14, 2010, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of helicopters with the affected system installed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 6 helicopters of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it will take minimal time to insert the service 
bulletin into the RFM, and about 3 work hours per helicopter to modify 
the searchlight. At an average labor rate of $85 per work hour, this 
amounts to $255 per helicopter. Required parts will cost about $1,000 
per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD 
on U.S. operators to be $1,255 per helicopter, or $7,530 for the fleet.

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:

[[Page 28727]]

    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):

2013-10-01 Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight: Amendment 39-17454; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-0221; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-082-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight Assembly 
Systems with gimbal assembly part number (P/N) 033295-1 or 033295-2, 
installed on, but not limited to, Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and 
Model AW139 helicopters, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Model S-92A 
helicopters, and Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 and Model 
MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, certificated in any category. The 
searchlight assembly system P/Ns and revision level using one of the 
two affected gimbal assembly P/Ns are listed in Table 1 to Paragraph 
(a) of this AD.

                               Table 1 to Paragraph (a)--Affected Systems and P/N
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               System P/N                                Nomenclature                     Affected revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
033338..................................  Nightsun XP Searchlight System...........  A through D.
033338-3................................  Nightsun XP Searchlight System...........  A through D.
033338-4................................  Nightsun XP Searchlight System...........  A through D.
033704..................................  IFCO Nightsun XP Searchlight System......  A through C.
033704-1................................  IFCO Nightsun XP Searchlight System......  A through C.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the Searchlight/Gimbal 
disconnecting from the helicopter and remaining attached solely by 
the internal cable harness, or separating totally. This condition 
could result in damage to the helicopter and injury to persons on 
the ground.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 20, 2013.

(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 further flight, insert a copy of Nightsun XP 
Searchlight Safety and Service Bulletin No. SL 0810-01, Amendment 
No. 2, dated September 24, 2010, into the Normal Procedures section 
of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
    (2) Before the first flight of each day, visually check the 
searchlight installation for a gap between the top shroud rubber 
edging, P/N 033381, and the side covers, P/N 033286, with slight 
pressure applied to either side of the searchlight. The edging must 
remain in physical contact with the side covers when slight pressure 
is applied to the searchlight.
    (3) The actions required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a Private 
Pilot Certificate, and must be entered into the helicopter 
maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1)-(4) and 
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 
91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
    (4) If the edging does not remain in physical contact with the 
side cover when slight pressure is applied to the searchlight in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, 
before further flight, with an affected Spectrolab Nightsun XP 
Searchlight assembly system installed, modify and re-identify the 
gimbal assembly in accordance with paragraph (e)(5) of this AD.
    (5) Within 100 hours time-in-service, modify and re-identify the 
gimbal assembly in accordance with Nightsun XP Searchlight System 
Kit and Procedure to Incorporate EASA AD 2010-0183 Conformance, 
034374 Revision NC, approved September 28, 2010, steps 1 through 13.
    (6) Accomplishing paragraph (e)(5) of this AD is terminating 
action for the requirements of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2010-0237R2, dated December 14, 2010.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3340, Exterior 
lighting.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the following service information 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this information as applicable to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Nightsun XP Searchlight Safety and Service Bulletin No. SL 
0810-01, Amendment No. 2, dated September 24, 2010.
    (ii) Nightsun XP Searchlight System Kit and Procedure to 
Incorporate EASA AD 2010-0183 Conformance, 034374 Revision NC, dated 
September 28, 2010. The date of this document is identified only in 
the Change Record on page 2 of this service information.
    (3) For Spectrolab Nightsun XP Searchlight service information 
identified in this AD, contact Spectrolab, Inc. ATTN: Saul Vargas, 
12500 Gladstone Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342, telephone (818) 365-4611, 
fax (818) 361-5102, or on the internet at http://www.spectrolab.com.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may also review a copy of 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 April 26, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-11383 Filed 5-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P