82_FR_60538 82 FR 60295 - Airworthiness Directives; The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation Helicopters

82 FR 60295 - Airworthiness Directives; The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 243 (December 20, 2017)

Page Range60295-60297
FR Document2017-27268

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom) Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F- 28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, TH-28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480, and 480B helicopters. This AD requires inspecting certain rod end bearing assemblies. This AD is prompted by an accident. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60295-60297]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27268]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1191; Product Identifier 2017-SW-046-AD; Amendment 
39-19134; AD 2017-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom) Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-
28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, TH-28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480, 
and 480B helicopters. This AD requires inspecting certain rod end 
bearing assemblies. This AD is prompted by an accident. The actions of 
this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these 
helicopters.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 4, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of January 4, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 20, 2018.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1191; 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 (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 final rule, contact 
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, 2209 22nd Street, Menominee, MI; 
telephone (906) 863-1200; fax (906) 863-6821; or at 
www.enstromhelicopter.com. You may review the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is 
also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1191.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manzoor Javed, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 2300 East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, 
IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-8112; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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 resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them 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 rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    We are adopting a new AD for Enstrom Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-
28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, TH-28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480, 
and 480B helicopters with a rod end bearing assembly (bearing assembly) 
part number (P/N) 01-824-08E-011, 09455-01-824-08E-011, ECD091-1, 
ASMK8T, M81935/1-08K, MS21242S8K, or MTK8 installed. We received a 
report of an accident involving an Enstrom Model 480B helicopter in 
which one of the main rotor (M/R) blades departed in-flight. The 
preliminary investigation indicated that failure of a rod end bearing 
assembly of one of the M/R hydraulic damper assemblies may have caused 
the M/R blade to depart from the helicopter. Based on a partially 
visible marking, the FAA believes the failed part is assembly P/N 
ECD091-1, vendor P/N 09455-01-824-08E-011. Analysis of the failed 
assembly revealed corrosion in the root of the threaded portion of the 
rod end. Enstrom identified a potential failure mode whereby failure of 
the rod end bearing assembly may result in the loss of the M/R blade. 
Because there is no indication of a specific manufacturing or design 
issue that would limit the potential for this corrosion to have 
occurred on other similarly-designed rod ends, the FAA determined it 
necessary to require an inspection of all approved rod end P/Ns.
    Accordingly, this AD requires, within 5 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), a one-time inspection of the bearing assemblies for corrosion on 
the threaded portion of the rod end. If there is any corrosion, this AD 
requires replacing the bearing assembly before further flight. This AD 
also requires reporting information about the inspection to the FAA 
within 10 days.
    The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect corrosion 
in the bearing assembly to prevent failure of the rod end, loss of an 
M/R blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Additional 
inspections at longer intervals may also be necessary.

[[Page 60296]]

We plan to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to give the public 
an opportunity to comment on those long-term requirements.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Enstrom has issued Service Directive Bulletin (SDB) No. 0127, 
Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017, for Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-28C-
2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, 280, 280C, 280F, and 280FX helicopters and 
SDB No. T-058, dated August 2, 2017, for Model TH-28, 480, and 480B 
helicopters. This service information provides procedures for 
inspecting certain vendor specific bearing assemblies P/N ECD091-1 for 
corrosion on the threaded portion of the rod end.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, within 5 hours TIS, inspecting each M/R hydraulic 
damper bearing assembly P/N ECD091-1, and for model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, 
F-28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, 280, 280C, 280F, and 280FX 
helicopters each belt tension shaft bearing assembly P/N 01-824-08E-
011, 09455-01-824-08E-011, ASMK8T, ECD091-1, MTK8, M81935/1-08K, and 
MS21242S8K, for corrosion at the root of the thread on the rod end with 
a 5X or higher power magnifying glass. If there is any corrosion, this 
AD requires replacing the bearing assembly before further flight.
    This AD also requires, within 10 days after completing each 
inspection, reporting the findings of the inspection to the FAA's 
Chicago ACO Branch, including: The owner's contact information, 
helicopter registration number and model, date of the inspection, total 
hours of the bearing assembly and helicopter, bearing assembly serial 
number, the location of any corrosion, and a description of any 
corrosion.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies repeating the visual inspection 
for corrosion at every 100 hour or annual inspection, while this AD 
does not, as this time interval would allow for sufficient time for 
notice and comment.
    Also, the service information only applies to bearing assembly P/N 
ECD091-1 and only specifies performing an inspection if marked with 
vendor P/N 09455-01-824-08E-011 or if the marking is missing or 
illegible. This AD applies to all P/N ECD091-1, 09455-01-824-08E-011, 
MTK8, ASMK8T, 01-824-08E-011, M81935/1-08K, and MS21242S8K bearing 
assemblies. Because the FAA does not have any data that positively 
confirms the root cause as a manufacturing batch, the AD requires 
inspections on all P/Ns of the same type design. The data received 
about the initial inspections will be used to determine the effectivity 
of any follow-on actions.
    Finally, the service information specifies reporting the inspection 
findings to Enstrom, while this AD requires reporting the findings to 
the FAA.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The inspection reports that are 
required by this AD will enable us to obtain better insight into the 
nature of the corrosion and to develop final action to address the 
unsafe condition. Once final action has been identified, we might 
consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 513 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
    At an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, we estimate that 
operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this 
AD.
    Inspecting the bearing assemblies will require 5 work-hours, for a 
cost per helicopter of $425 and a total cost of $218,025 to the U.S. 
fleet.
    Reporting the inspection results required by this AD will require 
about 0.5 work-hour, for a cost per helicopter of $43, and a total cost 
of $22,059 to the U.S. fleet.
    If required, replacing one bearing assembly will not incur any 
additional work-hours, and required parts will cost $410, for a cost 
per helicopter of $410.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting required by this AD 
is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and 
suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at 
800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the bearing assembly inspection required by this AD must be 
accomplished within 5 hours TIS. Therefore, we find good cause that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In 
addition, for the reason(s) stated above, we find that good cause 
exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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 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

[[Page 60297]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed, 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:

    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):

2017-26-03 The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation: Amendment 39-19134; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1191; Product Identifier 2017-SW-046-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom) 
Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, TH-28, 
280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480, and 480B helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with a rod end bearing assembly (bearing assembly) P/N 
01-824-08E-011, 09455-01-824-08E-011, ECD091-1, ASMK8T, M81935/1-
08K, MS21242S8K, or MTK8 installed.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion on a bearing 
assembly rod end thread. This condition could result in a crack in 
the bearing assembly, failure of the rod end resulting in loss of a 
main rotor blade, and loss of control of the helicopter.

 (c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 4, 2018.

 (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) Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a 5X or higher 
power magnifying glass, inspect each main rotor damper bearing 
assembly for corrosion on the threaded portion of the rod end as 
shown in Figure 1 of Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin (SDB) No. 
0127, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017 (SDB 0127), for Model F-28, 
F-28A, F-28C, F-28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, 280, 280C, 280F, 
and 280FX helicopters or Enstrom SDB No. T-058, dated August 2, 2017 
(SDB T-058), for model TH-28, 480, and 480B helicopters, as 
appropriate for your model helicopter. If there is any corrosion, 
before further flight, replace the bearing assembly.
    (2) For Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-
28F-R, 280, 280C, 280F, and 280FX helicopters, within 5 hours TIS, 
using a 5X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each belt 
tension shaft rod end bearing assembly for corrosion on the threaded 
portion of the rod end as shown in Figure 1 of SDB 0127. If there is 
any corrosion, before further flight, replace the bearing assembly.
    (3) Within 10 days after completing the inspections required by 
paragraph (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD, report the findings of each 
inspection, including the helicopter owner, address, telephone 
number, email address, helicopter model, helicopter registration 
number, date of inspection, total hours TIS of the helicopter, total 
hours TIS of the bearing, bearing assembly serial number, location 
of any corrosion, and a description of any corrosion, by mail or 
email to the individual listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

 (f) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 30 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

 (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Manzoor Javed, 
Senior Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 2300 
East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-8112; 
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.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200 Main Rotor 
System.

 (i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No. 0127, Revision 1, 
dated October 6, 2017.
    (ii) Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No. T-058, dated August 
2, 2017.
    (3) For Enstrom service information identified in this AD, 
contact Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, 2209 22nd Street, Menominee, 
MI; telephone (906) 863-1200; fax (906) 863-6821; or at 
www.enstromhelicopter.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view 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 December 11, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27268 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                        60295

                                             the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,                 Operations, M–30, West Building                       supporting data. To ensure the docket
                                             10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort                 Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200                      does not contain duplicate comments,
                                             Worth, TX 76177.                                        New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC                  commenters should send only one copy
                                                (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in                                                                 of written comments, or if comments are
                                                                                                     20590–0001.
                                             European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
                                             No. 2016–0180, dated September 13, 2016.                  • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the                     filed electronically, commenters should
                                             You may view the EASA AD on the internet                ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5                 submit them only one time. We will file
                                             at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.             p.m., Monday through Friday, except                   in the docket all comments that we
                                             FAA–2017–0671.                                          Federal holidays.                                     receive, as well as a report summarizing
                                                                                                                                                           each substantive public contact with
                                             (i) Subject                                             Examining the AD Docket                               FAA personnel concerning this
                                                Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)                 You may examine the AD docket on                   rulemaking during the comment period.
                                             Code: 2560 Emergency Equipment.                         the internet at http://                               We will consider all the comments we
                                               Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December              www.regulations.gov by searching for                  receive and may conduct additional
                                             12, 2017.                                               and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–                     rulemaking based on those comments.
                                             Scott A. Horn,                                          1191; or in person at the Docket
                                                                                                                                                           Discussion
                                             Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,              Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
                                             Compliance & Airworthiness Division,                    p.m., Monday through Friday, except                     We are adopting a new AD for
                                             Aircraft Certification Service.                         Federal holidays. The AD docket                       Enstrom Model F–28, F–28A, F–28C, F–
                                             [FR Doc. 2017–27274 Filed 12–19–17; 8:45 am]            contains this AD, any incorporated-by-                28C–2, F–28C–2R, F–28F, F–28F–R,
                                             BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                  reference service information, the                    TH–28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480,
                                                                                                     economic evaluation, any comments                     and 480B helicopters with a rod end
                                                                                                     received, and other information. The                  bearing assembly (bearing assembly)
                                             DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            street address for the Docket Operations              part number (P/N) 01–824–08E–011,
                                                                                                     Office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in                 09455–01–824–08E–011, ECD091–1,
                                             Federal Aviation Administration                         the ADDRESSES section. Comments will                  ASMK8T, M81935/1–08K,
                                                                                                     be available in the AD docket shortly                 MS21242S8K, or MTK8 installed. We
                                             14 CFR Part 39                                          after receipt.                                        received a report of an accident
                                                                                                        For service information identified in              involving an Enstrom Model 480B
                                             [Docket No. FAA–2017–1191; Product
                                             Identifier 2017–SW–046–AD; Amendment                    this final rule, contact Enstrom                      helicopter in which one of the main
                                             39–19134; AD 2017–26–03]                                Helicopter Corporation, 2209 22nd                     rotor (M/R) blades departed in-flight.
                                                                                                     Street, Menominee, MI; telephone (906)                The preliminary investigation indicated
                                             RIN 2120–AA64                                                                                                 that failure of a rod end bearing
                                                                                                     863–1200; fax (906) 863–6821; or at
                                                                                                     www.enstromhelicopter.com. You may                    assembly of one of the M/R hydraulic
                                             Airworthiness Directives; The Enstrom                                                                         damper assemblies may have caused the
                                             Helicopter Corporation Helicopters                      review the referenced service
                                                                                                     information at the FAA, Office of the                 M/R blade to depart from the helicopter.
                                             AGENCY:  Federal Aviation                               Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,                   Based on a partially visible marking, the
                                             Administration (FAA), DOT.                              10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–321,                     FAA believes the failed part is assembly
                                             ACTION: Final rule; request for                         Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also                      P/N ECD091–1, vendor P/N 09455–01–
                                             comments.                                               available on the internet at http://                  824–08E–011. Analysis of the failed
                                                                                                     www.regulations.gov by searching for                  assembly revealed corrosion in the root
                                             SUMMARY:   We are adopting a new                        and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–                     of the threaded portion of the rod end.
                                             airworthiness directive (AD) for the                    1191.                                                 Enstrom identified a potential failure
                                             Enstrom Helicopter Corporation                                                                                mode whereby failure of the rod end
                                             (Enstrom) Model F–28, F–28A, F–28C,                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      bearing assembly may result in the loss
                                             F–28C–2, F–28C–2R, F–28F, F–28F–R,                      Manzoor Javed, Senior Aerospace                       of the M/R blade. Because there is no
                                             TH–28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480,                     Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch,                         indication of a specific manufacturing
                                             and 480B helicopters. This AD requires                  Compliance and Airworthiness                          or design issue that would limit the
                                             inspecting certain rod end bearing                      Division, Aircraft Certification Service,             potential for this corrosion to have
                                             assemblies. This AD is prompted by an                   FAA, 2300 East Devon Ave., Des                        occurred on other similarly-designed
                                             accident. The actions of this AD are                    Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294–               rod ends, the FAA determined it
                                             intended to prevent an unsafe condition                 8112; email manzoor.javed@faa.gov.                    necessary to require an inspection of all
                                             on these helicopters.                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            approved rod end P/Ns.
                                             DATES: This AD becomes effective                                                                                Accordingly, this AD requires, within
                                                                                                     Comments Invited                                      5 hours time-in-service (TIS), a one-time
                                             January 4, 2018.
                                               The Director of the Federal Register                    This AD is a final rule that involves               inspection of the bearing assemblies for
                                             approved the incorporation by reference                 requirements affecting flight safety, and             corrosion on the threaded portion of the
                                             of certain documents listed in this AD                  we did not provide you with notice and                rod end. If there is any corrosion, this
                                             as of January 4, 2018.                                  an opportunity to provide your                        AD requires replacing the bearing
                                               We must receive comments on this                      comments prior to it becoming effective.              assembly before further flight. This AD
                                             AD by February 20, 2018.                                However, we invite you to participate in              also requires reporting information
                                             ADDRESSES: You may send comments by                     this rulemaking by submitting written                 about the inspection to the FAA within
                                             any of the following methods:                           comments, data, or views. We also                     10 days.
                                               • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to                   invite comments relating to the                         The actions specified by this AD are
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES




                                             http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                  economic, environmental, energy, or                   intended to detect corrosion in the
                                             online instructions for sending your                    federalism impacts that resulted from                 bearing assembly to prevent failure of
                                             comments electronically.                                adopting this AD. The most helpful                    the rod end, loss of an M/R blade, and
                                               • Fax: 202–493–2251.                                  comments reference a specific portion of              subsequent loss of control of the
                                               • Mail: Send comments to the U.S.                     the AD, explain the reason for any                    helicopter. Additional inspections at
                                             Department of Transportation, Docket                    recommended change, and include                       longer intervals may also be necessary.


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                                             60296        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             We plan to publish a notice of proposed                 this time interval would allow for                    paperwork cost associated with this AD
                                             rulemaking to give the public an                        sufficient time for notice and comment.               has been detailed in the Costs of
                                             opportunity to comment on those long-                      Also, the service information only                 Compliance section of this document
                                             term requirements.                                      applies to bearing assembly P/N                       and includes time for reviewing
                                                                                                     ECD091–1 and only specifies                           instructions, as well as completing and
                                             FAA’s Determination                                     performing an inspection if marked with               reviewing the collection of information.
                                               We are issuing this AD because we                     vendor P/N 09455–01–824–08E–011 or                    Therefore, all reporting required by this
                                             evaluated all the relevant information                  if the marking is missing or illegible.               AD is mandatory. Comments concerning
                                             and determined the unsafe condition                     This AD applies to all P/N ECD091–1,                  the accuracy of this burden and
                                             described previously is likely to exist or              09455–01–824–08E–011, MTK8,                           suggestions for reducing the burden
                                             develop in other helicopters of these                   ASMK8T, 01–824–08E–011, M81935/1–                     should be directed to the FAA at 800
                                             same type designs.                                      08K, and MS21242S8K bearing                           Independence Ave. SW, Washington,
                                             Related Service Information Under 1                     assemblies. Because the FAA does not                  DC 20591. ATTN: Information
                                             CFR Part 51                                             have any data that positively confirms                Collection Clearance Officer, AES–200.
                                                                                                     the root cause as a manufacturing batch,
                                               Enstrom has issued Service Directive                  the AD requires inspections on all P/Ns               FAA’s Justification and Determination
                                             Bulletin (SDB) No. 0127, Revision 1,                    of the same type design. The data                     of the Effective Date
                                             dated October 6, 2017, for Model F–28,                  received about the initial inspections                   An unsafe condition exists that
                                             F–28A, F–28C, F–28C–2, F–28C–2R, F–                     will be used to determine the effectivity             requires the immediate adoption of this
                                             28F, F–28F–R, 280, 280C, 280F, and                      of any follow-on actions.                             AD without providing an opportunity
                                             280FX helicopters and SDB No. T–058,                       Finally, the service information                   for public comments prior to adoption.
                                             dated August 2, 2017, for Model TH–28,                  specifies reporting the inspection                    The FAA has found that the risk to the
                                             480, and 480B helicopters. This service                 findings to Enstrom, while this AD                    flying public justifies waiving notice
                                             information provides procedures for                     requires reporting the findings to the                and comment prior to adoption of this
                                             inspecting certain vendor specific                      FAA.                                                  rule because the bearing assembly
                                             bearing assemblies P/N ECD091–1 for                                                                           inspection required by this AD must be
                                             corrosion on the threaded portion of the                Interim Action
                                                                                                                                                           accomplished within 5 hours TIS.
                                             rod end.                                                  We consider this AD interim action.                 Therefore, we find good cause that
                                               This service information is reasonably                The inspection reports that are required              notice and opportunity for prior public
                                             available because the interested parties                by this AD will enable us to obtain                   comment are impracticable. In addition,
                                             have access to it through their normal                  better insight into the nature of the                 for the reason(s) stated above, we find
                                             course of business or by the means                      corrosion and to develop final action to              that good cause exists for making this
                                             identified in the ADDRESSES section.                    address the unsafe condition. Once final              amendment effective in less than 30
                                             AD Requirements                                         action has been identified, we might                  days.
                                                                                                     consider further rulemaking.
                                                This AD requires, within 5 hours TIS,                                                                      Authority for This Rulemaking
                                             inspecting each M/R hydraulic damper                    Costs of Compliance
                                             bearing assembly P/N ECD091–1, and                                                                               Title 49 of the United States Code
                                                                                                       We estimate that this AD affects 513
                                             for model F–28, F–28A, F–28C, F–28C–                                                                          specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
                                                                                                     helicopters of U.S. Registry.
                                             2, F–28C–2R, F–28F, F–28F–R, 280,                         At an average labor rate of $85 per                 rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
                                             280C, 280F, and 280FX helicopters each                  work-hour, we estimate that operators                 section 106, describes the authority of
                                             belt tension shaft bearing assembly P/N                 may incur the following costs in order                the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII:
                                             01–824–08E–011, 09455–01–824–08E–                       to comply with this AD.                               Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more
                                             011, ASMK8T, ECD091–1, MTK8,                              Inspecting the bearing assemblies will              detail the scope of the Agency’s
                                             M81935/1–08K, and MS21242S8K, for                       require 5 work-hours, for a cost per                  authority.
                                             corrosion at the root of the thread on the              helicopter of $425 and a total cost of                   We are issuing this rulemaking under
                                             rod end with a 5X or higher power                       $218,025 to the U.S. fleet.                           the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII,
                                             magnifying glass. If there is any                         Reporting the inspection results                    Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
                                             corrosion, this AD requires replacing the               required by this AD will require about                General requirements.’’ Under that
                                             bearing assembly before further flight.                 0.5 work-hour, for a cost per helicopter              section, Congress charges the FAA with
                                                This AD also requires, within 10 days                of $43, and a total cost of $22,059 to the            promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
                                             after completing each inspection,                       U.S. fleet.                                           air commerce by prescribing regulations
                                             reporting the findings of the inspection                  If required, replacing one bearing                  for practices, methods, and procedures
                                             to the FAA’s Chicago ACO Branch,                        assembly will not incur any additional                the Administrator finds necessary for
                                             including: The owner’s contact                          work-hours, and required parts will cost              safety in air commerce. This regulation
                                             information, helicopter registration                    $410, for a cost per helicopter of $410.              is within the scope of that authority
                                             number and model, date of the                                                                                 because it addresses an unsafe condition
                                                                                                     Paperwork Reduction Act                               that is likely to exist or develop on
                                             inspection, total hours of the bearing
                                             assembly and helicopter, bearing                          A federal agency may not conduct or                 products identified in this rulemaking
                                             assembly serial number, the location of                 sponsor, and a person is not required to              action.
                                             any corrosion, and a description of any                 respond to, nor shall a person be subject
                                                                                                                                                           Regulatory Findings
                                             corrosion.                                              to penalty for failure to comply with a
                                                                                                     collection of information subject to the                We determined that this AD will not
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                                             Differences Between This AD and the                     requirements of the Paperwork                         have federalism implications under
                                             Service Information                                     Reduction Act unless that collection of               Executive Order 13132. This AD will
                                               The service information specifies                     information displays a current valid                  not have a substantial direct effect on
                                             repeating the visual inspection for                     OMB control number. The control                       the States, on the relationship between
                                             corrosion at every 100 hour or annual                   number for the collection of information              the national Government and the States,
                                             inspection, while this AD does not, as                  required by this AD is 2120–0056. The                 or on the distribution of power and


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                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 20, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                             60297

                                             responsibilities among the various                      specified compliance time unless it has               Compliance and Airworthiness Division,
                                             levels of government.                                   already been accomplished prior to that time.         Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 2300 East
                                               For the reasons discussed, I certify                  (e) Required Actions                                  Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone
                                             that this AD:                                                                                                 (847) 294–8112; email manzoor.javed@
                                                                                                        (1) Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS),
                                               1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                  using a 5X or higher power magnifying glass,
                                                                                                                                                           faa.gov.
                                             action’’ under Executive Order 12866;                   inspect each main rotor damper bearing                  (2) For operations conducted under a 14
                                               2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under                assembly for corrosion on the threaded                CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
                                             DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures                  portion of the rod end as shown in Figure 1           14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
                                             (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);                       of Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin (SDB)           you notify your principal inspector, or
                                               3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in             No. 0127, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017           lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
                                             Alaska to the extent that it justifies                  (SDB 0127), for Model F–28, F–28A, F–28C,             the local flight standards district office or
                                             making a regulatory distinction; and                    F–28C–2, F–28C–2R, F–28F, F–28F–R, 280,               certificate holding district office before
                                               4. Will not have a significant                        280C, 280F, and 280FX helicopters or                  operating any aircraft complying with this
                                             economic impact, positive or negative,                  Enstrom SDB No. T–058, dated August 2,
                                                                                                                                                           AD through an AMOC.
                                                                                                     2017 (SDB T–058), for model TH–28, 480,
                                             on a substantial number of small entities               and 480B helicopters, as appropriate for your         (h) Subject
                                             under the criteria of the Regulatory                    model helicopter. If there is any corrosion,
                                             Flexibility Act.                                        before further flight, replace the bearing              Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
                                               We prepared an economic evaluation                    assembly.                                             Code: 6200 Main Rotor System.
                                             of the estimated costs to comply with                      (2) For Model F–28, F–28A, F–28C, F–28C–           (i) Material Incorporated by Reference
                                             this AD and placed it in the AD docket.                 2, F–28C–2R, F–28F, F–28F–R, 280, 280C,
                                                                                                     280F, and 280FX helicopters, within 5 hours              (1) The Director of the Federal Register
                                             List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39                      TIS, using a 5X or higher power magnifying            approved the incorporation by reference of
                                               Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation                glass, inspect each belt tension shaft rod end        the service information listed in this
                                             safety, Incorporation by Reference,                     bearing assembly for corrosion on the                 paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
                                             Safety.                                                 threaded portion of the rod end as shown in           part 51.
                                                                                                     Figure 1 of SDB 0127. If there is any                    (2) You must use this service information
                                             Adoption of the Amendment                               corrosion, before further flight, replace the         as applicable to do the actions required by
                                                                                                     bearing assembly.
                                               Accordingly, under the authority                         (3) Within 10 days after completing the
                                                                                                                                                           this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
                                             delegated to me by the Administrator,                   inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) and             (i) Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No.
                                             the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as                        (e)(2) of this AD, report the findings of each        0127, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017.
                                             follows:                                                inspection, including the helicopter owner,              (ii) Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No.
                                                                                                     address, telephone number, email address,             T–058, dated August 2, 2017.
                                             PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS                                   helicopter model, helicopter registration                (3) For Enstrom service information
                                             DIRECTIVES                                              number, date of inspection, total hours TIS           identified in this AD, contact Enstrom
                                                                                                     of the helicopter, total hours TIS of the             Helicopter Corporation, 2209 22nd Street,
                                             ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39                 bearing, bearing assembly serial number,              Menominee, MI; telephone (906) 863–1200;
                                             continues to read as follows:                           location of any corrosion, and a description          fax (906) 863–6821; or at
                                                                                                     of any corrosion, by mail or email to the
                                                 Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.                                                                www.enstromhelicopter.com.
                                                                                                     individual listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this
                                                                                                     AD.                                                      (4) You may view this service information
                                             § 39.13   [Amended]                                                                                           at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
                                             ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding                   (f) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden                    Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy,
                                             the following new airworthiness                         Statement                                             Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
                                             directive (AD):                                            A federal agency may not conduct or                information on the availability of this
                                                                                                     sponsor, and a person is not required to              material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
                                             2017–26–03 The Enstrom Helicopter                       respond to, nor shall a person be subject to
                                                 Corporation: Amendment 39–19134;                                                                             (5) You may view this service information
                                                                                                     a penalty for failure to comply with a                that is incorporated by reference at the
                                                 Docket No. FAA–2017–1191; Product                   collection of information subject to the
                                                 Identifier 2017–SW–046–AD.                                                                                National Archives and Records
                                                                                                     requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
                                                                                                     Act unless that collection of information             Administration (NARA). For information on
                                             (a) Applicability
                                                                                                     displays a current valid OMB Control                  the availability of this material at NARA, call
                                               This AD applies to the Enstrom Helicopter                                                                   (202) 741–6030, or go to: http://
                                             Corporation (Enstrom) Model F–28, F–28A,                Number. The OMB Control Number for this
                                                                                                     information collection is 2120–0056. Public           www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-
                                             F–28C, F–28C–2, F–28C–2R, F–28F, F–28F–
                                             R, TH–28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480, and              reporting for this collection of information is       locations.html.
                                             480B helicopters, certificated in any category,         estimated to be approximately 30 minutes
                                                                                                     per response, including the time for                    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December
                                             with a rod end bearing assembly (bearing                                                                      11, 2017.
                                             assembly) P/N 01–824–08E–011, 09455–01–                 reviewing instructions, completing and
                                             824–08E–011, ECD091–1, ASMK8T, M81935/                  reviewing the collection of information. All          Scott A. Horn,
                                             1–08K, MS21242S8K, or MTK8 installed.                   responses to this collection of information           Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
                                                                                                     are mandatory. Comments concerning the                Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
                                             (b) Unsafe Condition                                    accuracy of this burden and suggestions for
                                                                                                                                                           Aircraft Certification Service.
                                               This AD defines the unsafe condition as               reducing the burden should be directed to
                                                                                                     the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW,                 [FR Doc. 2017–27268 Filed 12–19–17; 8:45 am]
                                             corrosion on a bearing assembly rod end
                                             thread. This condition could result in a crack          Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information               BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                             in the bearing assembly, failure of the rod             Collection Clearance Officer, AES–200.
                                             end resulting in loss of a main rotor blade,            (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance
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                                             and loss of control of the helicopter.                  (AMOCs)
                                             (c) Effective Date                                         (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch,
                                                This AD becomes effective January 4, 2018.           Compliance and Airworthiness Division,
                                                                                                     Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, may
                                             (d) Compliance                                          approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
                                               You are responsible for performing each               proposal to: Manzoor Javed, Senior
                                             action required by this AD within the                   Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch,



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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:57:54
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:57:54
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule; request for comments.
DatesThis AD becomes effective January 4, 2018.
ContactManzoor Javed, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 2300 East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-8112; email [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 60295 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

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