DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0446; Product Identifier 2010-SW-007-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 revise Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-21-05
for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland
GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+
helicopters. AD 2013-21-05 requires an initial and repetitive
inspections of certain bearings and modifying the floor and a rod.
Since we issued AD 2013-21-05, we have determined that modifying the
floor and rod removes the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would
retain the requirements of AD 2013-21-05 but remove the repetitive
inspections. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent an
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 1, 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-2013-0446;
or in person at the Docket Operations 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 (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 rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 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/website/technical-
expert/. You may review service information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.

We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking.

Before acting on this proposal, we will consider all comments we
receive on or before the closing date for comments. We will consider
comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to
do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change this proposal
in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

We issued AD 2013-21-05, Amendment 39-17629 (78 FR 65169, October
31, 2013) (AD 2013-21-05) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus
Helicopters) Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters with
bearing part number (P/N) LN9367GE6N2; rod P/N L671M5040205; lever P/N
L671M5040101; and floor P/N L533M1014101, L533M1014102, L533M1014103,
L533M1014104, L533M1014105 or L533M1014106 installed. AD 2013-21-05
requires inspecting each bearing for freedom of movement within 100
hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed
800 hours TIS. AD 2013-21-05 also requires modifying the floor and
modifying and re-identifying the rod with a new P/N. AD 2013-21-05 was
prompted by an incident involving limited control of a tail rotor
because of the binding of a bearing. Those actions are intended to
detect and prevent the binding of a bearing, which could lead to loss
of helicopter control.

AD 2013-21-05 was also prompted by AD 2006-0318 R1, dated October
27, 2006, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union, issued to correct an unsafe condition for
all Eurocopter Model EC 135 helicopters. EASA advised of an incident of
impaired control of an EC 135 tail rotor. EASA stated that according to
examinations, the bearing of the linear transducer was subject to
binding, which limited the control range.

Actions Since AD 2013-21-05 Was Issued

After we issued AD 2013-21-05, EASA determined, based on a review
of data and operator feedback, that repetitive inspections are not
required for helicopters with the modified rod and floor. EASA
accordingly revised its AD and issued AD No. 2006-0318R2, dated April
25, 2017, to remove the repetitive inspections.

Also since we issued AD 2013-21-05, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
Helicopters changed its name to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH.
This proposed AD reflects that change and updates the contact
information to obtain service documentation. Additionally, the FAA's
Aircraft Certification Service has changed its organizational
structure. The new structure replaces product directorates with
functional divisions. We have revised some of the office titles and
nomenclature throughout this proposed AD to reflect the new
organizational changes. Additional information about the new structure
can be found in the Notice published on July 25, 2017 (82 FR 34564).

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

We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-67A-012,
Revision 1, dated October 18, 2006 (ASB Rev 1), which specifies
repetitively inspecting the bearing of the linear transducer for
freedom of movement and the lower side of the floor for chafing or
damage. If there is binding, ASB Rev 1 specifies replacing the bearing.
If there is chafing or damage on the floor, ASB Rev 1 specifies
replacing the bearing and repairing the floor. ASB Rev 1 also specifies
modifying and re-identifying a certain rod.

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.

Other Related Service Information

We also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin EC135-
67A-012, Revision 2, dated April 3, 2017 (ASB Rev 2). ASB Rev 2 states
that the repetitive inspection has been added to the helicopter
maintenance manual. The repetitive inspection is therefore removed, and
ASB Rev 2 requires no action. ASB Rev 1 is attached to ASB Rev 2 as an
Appendix.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would remove the repetitive 800-hour TIS bearing
inspection that is currently required. This proposed AD would continue
to require inspecting each bearing for freedom of movement within 100
hours TIS, and replacing the bearing before further flight if there is
binding or rough turning. If there is chafing or damage on the lower
side of the floor, this proposed AD would require, before further
flight, replacing the bearing and repairing the floor, and thereafter
installing a Teflon strip. This proposed AD would also require
modifying and re-identifying the rod and lever with a new part number.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD sets compliance times from its original effective date
of October 20, 2006, and this proposed AD would not. This proposed AD
would require modifying each rod within 100 hours TIS, rather than
within 800 hours TIS as specified in the EASA AD. This proposed AD
would not require contacting Eurocopter customer support, unlike the
EASA AD. Finally, this proposed AD would not apply to Airbus
Helicopters Model EC635 T1, EC635 P2+, and EC635 T2+ helicopters
because they have no FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 304 helicopters of
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work hour. We estimate
it would take about 10 work-hours to inspect the bearing and no parts
or materials would be required, for a cost of $850 per helicopter and
$258,400 for the U.S. fleet. If necessary, replacing the bearing would
require 3 additional work-hours, and parts would cost $50, for a cost
of $305 per helicopter. Repairing the floor would require 3 additional
work hours and minimal cost for materials, for a cost of $255 per
helicopter.

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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2013-21-05, Amendment 39-17629 (78 FR 65169, October 31, 2013), and
adding the following new AD: