80 FR 15530 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 56 (March 24, 2015)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) (previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, C-1, and C- 2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require an initial and recurring inspection of the N2 control arm and, depending on the outcome of the inspection, repairing or replacing the N2 control arm. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a heavily corroded and broken N2 control arm. The proposed actions are intended to detect corrosion, a crack, or a scratch in the N2 control arm, which could lead to failure of the N2 control arm, a drop in rotor speed, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15530-15532]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06567]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0669; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-038-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) 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 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) (previously Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, C-1, and C-
2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require an initial and recurring 
inspection of the N2 control arm and, depending on the outcome of the 
inspection, repairing or replacing the N2 control arm. This proposed AD 
is prompted by a report of a heavily corroded and broken N2 control 
arm. The proposed actions are intended to detect corrosion, a crack, or 
a scratch in the N2 control arm, which could lead to failure of the N2 
control arm, a drop in rotor speed, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 2015.

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 European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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 
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at 
http://www.airbushelicopters.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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0669.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

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

[[Page 15531]]

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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, issued EASA AD No. 2013-0154, dated July 22, 2013, to 
correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now AHD) 
Model MBB-BK117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, C-1, and C-2 helicopters. EASA 
advises of an incident with a Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopter that 
dropped rotor speed (RPM) within the green range and could not be 
recovered to nominal value. According to EASA, an inspection of the 
engine N2 control system revealed a heavily corroded and broken N2 
control arm. EASA advises that under certain flight conditions and 
power demands, a broken N2 control arm can cause a significant and non-
recoverable drop in RPM. As a result, EASA AD No. 2013-0154 requires an 
initial and repetitive inspection of the N2 control arm for corrosion, 
damage, and scratches, and depending on the outcome of the inspection, 
repairing or replacing the N2 control arm.

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

    Eurocopter issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117-60A-126 
for Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters, and 
ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-6A-005 for Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, both 
Revision 0, and both dated June 24, 2013. The Eurocopter ASBs specify 
inspecting the N2 control arm for corrosion, damage, and scratches and, 
depending on the outcome of the inspection, either repairing or 
replacing the affected parts. The Eurocopter ASBs also specify 
performing the inspection with each 12-month inspection until the N2 
inspection requirements are incorporated into the aircraft maintenance 
manual. This service information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES 
for ways to access this service information.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require repetitive visual inspections of the 
N2 control arm for corrosion, a crack, or a scratch. This proposed AD 
would require repairing any N2 control arm with corrosion or a scratch 
less than 0.020 inch in depth and replacing any N2 control arm with 
exfoliation corrosion, a crack, or with corrosion or a scratch 0.020 
inch or greater in depth.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD allows a noncumulative tolerance of 3 months in the 
compliance time for the initial inspection on helicopters with less 
than 2 years from the date of first flight and for the repetitive 
inspections, and this proposed AD would not.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 441 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per 
work-hour. Inspecting the N2 control arm would require about one work-
hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $37,485 for the 
U.S. fleet per inspection cycle. Repairing the N2 control arm would 
require about four work-hours for an estimated labor cost of $340. 
Replacing the N2 control arm would require about three work-hours for 
an estimated labor cost of $255. Parts to replace the N2 control arm 
for Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters would 
cost about $2,743 for a total estimated cost of $2,998. Parts to 
replace the N2 control arm for a Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter would 
cost about $4,500 for a total estimated cost of $4,755.

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) (Previously Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH): Docket No. FAA-2015-0669; Directorate Identifier 
2013-SW-038-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to AHD Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, 
C-1, and C-2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

[[Page 15532]]

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion, a crack, or a 
scratch on an N2 control arm. This condition could lead to failure 
of the N2 control arm, resulting in a reduction in rotor speed and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 26, 2015.

(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

    For helicopters that have not reached 2 years from the date of 
first flight, within 1 year or before reaching 2 years from the date 
of first flight, whichever occurs first; and for helicopters that 
have reached or exceeded 2 years from the date of first flight, 
within 50 hours TIS:
    (1) Visually inspect each N2 control arm for corrosion, a crack, 
and a scratch as depicted in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117-60A-126 or ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-76A-005, both 
Revision 0 and both dated June 24, 2013, as applicable to your model 
helicopter.
    (i) If an N2 control arm has corrosion or a scratch less than 
0.5 millimeter (mm) (0.020 inch) in depth, before further flight, 
remove the corrosion and repair the scratch.
    (ii) If an N2 control arm has any exfoliation corrosion, a 
crack, or has corrosion or a scratch 0.5 mm (0.020 inch) or greater 
in depth, before further flight, replace the N2 control arm.
    (2) Thereafter, perform the requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of 
this AD at intervals not to exceed 12 months.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email [email protected].
    (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. 2013-0154, dated July 22, 2013. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2015-0669.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Engine Controls, 
7600.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 17, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-06567 Filed 3-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P