AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-10-53
for
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) (now Airbus Helicopters) Model
EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters.
AD 2012-10-53 required, before further flight and at specified
intervals, checking and inspecting the upper and lower main rotor hub
(MRH) shaft flanges for a crack, and inspecting the lower hub-shaft
flange bolt attachment areas for a crack. Since we issued AD 2012-10-
53, it has been determined that it is safe to increase the visual
inspection intervals of the MRH shaft flanges from 10 hours time-in-
service (TIS) to 50 hours TIS and remove the inspection of the lower
MRH shaft flange bolt attachment areas. This new AD continues to
require checking and inspecting the upper and lower MRH shaft flanges
for a crack. These actions are intended to detect a crack on the MRH
shaft flange, which if not corrected, could result in failure of the
MRH and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective September 25, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
25, 2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775;
or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may view this
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0034; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
incorporated-by-reference information, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC
20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
gary.b.roach@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On May 18, 2012, we issued Emergency AD 2012-10-53, which
superseded Emergency AD 2012-10-51. Emergency AD 2012-10-53 was
published in the Federal Register as a Final rule; request for comments
on November 20, 2012, at 77 FR 69558. AD 2012-10-53 required a
repetitive pilot check of the lower MRH shaft flange for a crack, a
repetitive inspection of the upper and lower MRH shaft flanges and bolt
attachment areas for a crack, and replacing the MRH shaft if there is
a
crack. AD 2012-10-53 was prompted by three reported incidents of
cracking on the lower hub-shaft flanges of EC135 model helicopters.
After we issued AD 2012-10-53, Eurocopter revised Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. EC135-62A-029, now at Revision 7, dated October 22,
2012, which contains the procedures for the repetitive pilot checks and
inspections. The inspection interval for the visual inspection of the
MRH shaft flanges was increased to 50 flight hours based on results
from full scale component testing. The note regarding the preflight
check states that the time between two preflight checks must not exceed
6 flight hours, and clarifies that one flight may comprise of multiple
take-offs and landings and a flight starts when the helicopter takes
off and ends when the helicopter is on the ground with the engines shut
off. Eurocopter also removed the visual inspection of
the blade bolt attachment areas from the ASB.
EASA also revised its AD, now at EASA AD 2012-0085R5, dated October
30, 2012, to correct this unsafe condition. EASA advises that based on
results of the further full scale component testing, it has been
determined that the interval for the repetitive visual inspections of
the upper and lower hub shaft flanges can be extended to 50 flight
hours. EASA AD No. 2012-0085R5 also references ECD ASB No. EC135-62A-
029, Revision 7, dated October 22, 2012, for related information. EASA
considers AD 2012-0085R5 to be interim AD action and further AD action
may follow.
On January 16, 2014, we issued a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2012-10-53. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on January 31, 2014 (79 FR 5325). The
NPRM proposed to continue to require the repetitive visual pilot check
and inspection of the upper and lower MRH shaft flanges, as well as the
replacement requirements of AD 2012-10-53. An owner/operator (pilot)
may perform the required visual check and must enter compliance with
the applicable paragraph of the AD into the helicopter maintenance
records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and
91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this check because it involves
only looking at the visible area of the MRH shaft flanges and can be
performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. This check is an
exception to our standard maintenance regulations. Further, the NPRM
proposed to increase the repetitive visual inspection interval for MRH
shafts with 400 hours or more TIS from 10 hours TIS to 50 hours TIS.
Any alternative method of compliance (AMOC) previously approved in
accordance with AD 2012-10-53 would continue to be considered approved
as an AMOC for the corresponding requirements in this AD.
Since we issued the NPRM, Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH changed its
name to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH. This AD reflects that
change and updates the contact information to obtain service
documentation.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (79 FR 5325,
January 31, 2014).
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
the EASA ADs. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as proposed except for the name change
previously described and a minor editorial change to meet current
publishing requirements. The reference to ``the applicability of this
AD'' in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD has been changed to reference
``paragraph (a) of this AD.'' These changes are consistent with the
intent of the proposals in the NPRM (79 FR 5325, January 31, 2014) and
will not increase the economic burden on any operator.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
EASA considers its AD action to be an interim action; we do not
consider this AD to be an interim AD action because the requirements
for the applicable part-numbered MRH shafts are not expected to change.
The EASA AD requires you to report the findings and send the removed
MRH to ECD (now Airbus Helicopters), while this AD does not. The EASA
AD requires the initial visual check within 3 days, while this AD
requires the initial visual check before further flight. The EASA AD
does not specify affected MRH shaft part numbers; this AD does because
the FAA anticipates Airbus Helicopters will produce new part-numbered
MRH shafts without the same unsafe condition.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Eurocopter ASB No. EC135-62A-029, Revision 7, dated
October 22, 2012, which describes procedures for preflight checking the
visible area of the upper and lower MRH shaft flanges and performing a
repetitive visual inspection of the upper and lower MRH shaft for
cracks. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD No. 2012-
0085R5 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 244 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate inspecting the MRH shaft flanges requires 2.5 work-hours at
an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, for a total cost per
helicopter of $212 and a total cost to U.S. operators of $51,728 per
inspection cycle. Replacing an MRH shaft requires about 8 work-hours
and required parts cost $55,715, for a total cost per helicopter of
$56,395.
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 have 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 responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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
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)
2012-10-53 (77 FR 69558, November 20, 2012), and adding the following
new AD:
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