DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-1011; Product Identifier 2017-SW-004-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-16-
14 for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland
GmbH) Model EC 135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters. AD 2013-
16-14 currently requires installing a washer in and modifying the main
transmission filter housing upper part. Since we issued AD 2013-16-14,
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH has extended the overhaul interval
for the main transmission and determined that other models may have the
same unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the requirements
of AD 2013-16-14, add models to the applicability, and revise the
required compliance time for the modification. The actions of this
proposed AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January
2, 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-2017-1011;
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 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email rao.edupuganti@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 2013-16-14, Amendment 39-17552 (78 FR 54383, September
4, 2013) (AD 2013-16-14) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (now Airbus
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH) Model EC135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+
helicopters with a certain serial-numbered main transmission FS108
housing upper part (upper part), part number (P/N) 4649 301 034. AD
2013-16-14 requires installing a corrugated washer in the filter
housing of the upper part and modifying each affected upper part by
machining the oil filter bypass inlet. AD 2013-16-14 was prompted by AD
No. 2010-0213, dated October 14, 2010, issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD No. 2010-0213 to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter
Deutschland GmbH Model EC 135 and EC635 helicopters. EASA advised that
a recent inspection on some upper parts for the main transmission FS108
revealed the bypass inlet in the oil filter area had not been
manufactured in accordance with the applicable design specifications.
EASA advised that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could
adversely affect the oil-filter bypass function, which is essential for
continued safe flight. The EASA AD required a temporary modification of
the upper part by installing a corrugated washer, and then a "rework"
of the oil filter area to bring the affected parts within the
applicable design specifications.
Actions Since AD 2013-16-14 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2013-16-14, EASA has issued AD 2017-0002, dated
January 9, 2017 (AD 2017-0002), which superseded EASA AD 2010-0213.
EASA advises that some affected upper parts have been re-identified
with P/N 4649 301 067 or P/N 4649 301 088 without changing the serial
number. EASA further advises that Airbus Helicopters has extended the
compliance time to retrofit the housing to 5,150 hours to coincide with
the extended interval between transmission overhauls. Accordingly, AD
2017-002 continues to require installing a corrugated washer in the
upper part and modifying the upper part at the next overhaul; expands
the applicability to include Model EC135P3, Model EC135T3, P/N 4649 301
067, and P/N 4649 301 088; extends the compliance time for machining
the upper part; and makes minor editorial changes for clarity.
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 Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-
63A-017, Revision 2, dated December 5, 2016 (ASB EC135-63A-017), for
Model EC135 T1, T2, T2+, T3, P1, P2, P2+, P3, and 635 T1, T2+, T3, P2+,
and P3 helicopters. This service information specifies removing the oil
filter element and installing a corrugated washer. ASB EC135-63A-017
also specifies reworking the affected upper part at the next repair or
overhaul of the main transmission, no later than 5,150 flight hours
after receipt of the service bulletin. EASA classified this ASB as
mandatory and issued AD 2017-0002 to ensure the continued airworthiness
of these helicopters.
We also reviewed ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH Service Instruction No.
EC135FS108-1659-1009, dated September 14, 2010, which specifies
procedures for repairing the main transmission upper housing, and
includes dimensions and tolerances for machining the upper part.
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 reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-63A-017,
Revision 0, dated October 11, 2010, for Model EC135 T1, T2, T2+, P1,
P2, P2+, and 635 T1, T2+, and P2+ helicopters. This service information
specifies the same Accomplishment Instructions as ASB EC135-63A-017,
Revision 2, except with a shorter compliance time to rework the
affected upper part.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2013-16-14 for
installing a corrugated washer and modifying the upper part. This
proposed AD would add Airbus Helicopters Deutschland Model EC135P3 and
Model EC135T3 helicopters to the applicability requirements, add upper
parts P/N 4649 301 067 and P/N 4649 301 088 to the applicability,
revise the compliance time for installing a corrugated washer to within
50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever occurs earlier,
and extend the compliance time for machining the upper part to 5,150
hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 236 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per work hour, we
estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this proposed AD. Installing the corrugated washer would
require about .5 work hour, and required parts would cost about $10,
for a cost per helicopter of about $53, and a cost to the U.S. operator
fleet of $12,508. Machining the housing upper part would require about
5 work-hours and required parts would cost about
$73, for a cost per helicopter of $498, and a total cost to U.S.
operators of $117,528. Based on these figures, we estimate the total
cost of this proposed AD to be $130,036 for the U.S. operator fleet or
$551 per helicopter.
According to Airbus Helicopters' service information some of the
costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected persons. We do not control
warranty coverage by Airbus Helicopters. Accordingly, we have included
all costs in our cost estimate.
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)
2013-16-14, Amendment 39-17552 (78 FR 54383, September 4, 2013), and
adding the following new AD:
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