Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Model MBB-BK 117C-2 Helicopters, 3885-3887 [E8-1023]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Proposed Rules
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and
symbols.
Federal Aviation Administration
Citation
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2008–0042; Directorate
Identifier 2007–SW–26–AD]
The authority citation for these
special conditions is as follows:
RIN 2120–AA64
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and
44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 21.17; and 14 CFR
11.38 and 11.19.
The Proposed Special Conditions
Accordingly, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) proposes the
following special conditions as part of
the type certification basis for the
Embraer S.A. Model EMB–500
airplanes. Brakes-Designation of
Applicable Regulations.
SC 23.735(e): Delete ‘‘In addition, for
commuter category airplanes.’’
The rejected takeoff brake kinetic
energy capacity rating of each main
wheel brake assembly must not be less
than the kinetic energy absorption
requirements determined under either
of the following methods.
(e)(1) The brake kinetic energy
absorption requirements must be based
on a conservative rational analysis of
the sequence of events expected during
a rejected takeoff at the design takeoff
weight.
(e)(2) Instead of rational analysis, the
kinetic energy absorption requirements
for each main wheel brake assembly
may be derived from the following
formula—
KE = 0.0443WV2N
Where:
KE =Kinetic energy per wheel (ft.-lbs.);
W = Design takeoff weight (lbs.);
V = Ground speed, in knots, associated with
the maximum value of V1 selected in
accordance with § 23.51(c)(1);
N = Number of main wheels with brakes.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on January
15, 2008.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–1077 Filed 1–22–08; 8:45 am]
ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with PROPOSALS
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:07 Jan 22, 2008
Jkt 214001
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
Deutschland GMBH Model MBB–BK
117C–2 Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH
(Eurocopter) Model MBB–BK 117C–2
helicopters. This proposed AD results
from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct
an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The European Aviation Safety
Agency for the Republic of Germany,
with which we have a bilateral
agreement, states in the MCAI:
During inadvertent operation of the fire
extinguishing system, in one case it occurred
that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not
corrected, could affect the ability of the fire
extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing
system to suppress an engine fire creates
an unsafe condition. The proposed
actions are intended to address this
unsafe condition by further securing the
injection tubes with improved clamps,
allowing suppression of a contained
engine fire, and preventing an
uncontained engine fire and subsequent
loss of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by February 22, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building,
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
PO 00000
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3885
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or in person at the
Docket Operations office between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the
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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations
and Guidance Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193–0111, telephone (817) 222–5167,
fax (817) 222–5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new
process for streamlining the issuance of
ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined
process will allow us to adopt MCAI
safety requirements in a more efficient
manner and will reduce safety risks to
the public. This process continues to
follow all FAA AD issuance processes to
meet legal, economic, Administrative
Procedure Act, and Federal Register
requirements. We also continue to meet
our technical decision-making
responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated
products.
This proposed AD references the
MCAI and related service information
that we considered in forming the
engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The proposed AD contains
text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain
language principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2008–0042; Directorate Identifier
2007–SW–26–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM
23JAP1
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Proposed Rules
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Community, has issued an MCAI in the
form of an EASA AD No. 2007–0121,
dated May 3, 2007 (referred to after this
as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for this German-certificated
product. The MCAI states:
During inadvertent operation of the fire
extinguishing system, in one case it occurred
that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not
corrected, could affect the ability of the fire
extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing
system to suppress an engine fire creates
an unsafe condition. The proposed
actions are intended to address this
unsafe condition by further securing the
injection tubes with improved clamps,
allowing suppression of a contained
engine fire, and preventing an
uncontained engine fire and subsequent
loss of the helicopter.
You may obtain further information
by examining the MCAI and service
information in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service
Bulletin MBB BK117 C–2–26A–001,
dated January 22, 2007. The actions
described in the MCAI are intended to
correct the same unsafe condition as
that identified in the service
information.
ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with PROPOSALS
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of the Federal
Republic of Germany, and is approved
for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with
this State of Design, we have been
notified of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and service
information. We are proposing this AD
because we evaluated all pertinent
information and determined an unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the
MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and
related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But
we might have found it necessary to use
different words from those in the MCAI
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:07 Jan 22, 2008
Jkt 214001
to ensure the AD is clear for U.S.
operators and is enforceable. In making
these changes, we do not intend to differ
substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related
service information. Any such
differences are highlighted in the
‘‘Differences Between the FAA AD and
the MCAI’’ section in the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 26 helicopters of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it
would take about 3.5 work-hours per
helicopter to replace the clamps on the
injection tubes. The average labor rate is
$80 per work-hour. Required parts
would cost $20 per helicopter. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be
$7,800, or $300 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 above, 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); and
3. Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
PO 00000
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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, 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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Docket No.
FAA–2008–0042; Directorate Identifier
2007–SW–26–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February
22, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model MBB–BK
117C–2 helicopters, Serial Number (S/N)
9004 through S/N 9104, and S/N 9106, 9107,
and 9111, with a fire extinguishing system
B26K1002–801, B262K1003–801, or
B262K1004–801, installed, certificated in any
category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
During inadvertent operation of the fire
extinguishing system, in one case it occurred
that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not
corrected, could affect the ability of the fire
extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing system
to suppress an engine fire creates an unsafe
condition. The proposed actions are intended
to address this unsafe condition by further
securing the injection tubes with improved
clamps, allowing suppression of a contained
engine fire, and preventing an uncontained
engine fire and subsequent loss of the
helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) At the next 100 hours time-in-service
inspection, unless already done, replace the
current injection tube clamps by installing
GBS clamps, part number GBSM24/18W4SK,
by following the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph A., and Figure 1 of
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23JAP1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Proposed Rules
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB
BK117 C–2–26A–001, dated January 22,
2007.
Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
ACTION:
Differences Between the FAA AD and the
MCAI
(f) The FAA refers to the compliance time
by hours time-in-service rather than flight
hours as referred to in the MCAI.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America
(ATA) Code JASC 262 Extinguishing System.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) The following provisions also apply to
this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested, using the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: John
Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193–0111, telephone (817)
222–5167, fax (817) 222–5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAAapproved corrective actions. Corrective
actions are considered FAA-approved if they
are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent) if the State of
Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement
with the United States. You are required to
assure the product is airworthy before it is
returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any
reporting requirement in this AD, under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved the information collection
requirements and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120–0056.
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
specified BHTC model helicopters. This
proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify
and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The aviation authority
of Canada, with which we have a
bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:
It has been determined that some
helicopters have been fitted with a CRES
steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407–030–
750–103, and the installation of the tailboom
attachment bolt does not meet the design
criteria.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The proposed AD would require
actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition that results from an
improper installation of the tailboom
attachment bolt in the upper left-hand
tailboom attachment CRES steel fitting.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by February 22, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information
identified in this proposed AD from Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue
de l’Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4,
telephone (450) 437–2862 or (800) 363–
8023, fax (450) 433–0272.
Federal Aviation Administration
Examining the AD Docket
Related Information
(i) MCAI Airworthiness Directive No.
2007–0121, dated May 3, 2007, contains
related information.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4,
2008.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–1023 Filed 1–22–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2008–0040; Directorate
Identifier 2007–SW–13–AD]
ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with PROPOSALS
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)
Models 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L–1,
206L–3, and 206L–4 Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
AGENCY:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:07 Jan 22, 2008
Jkt 214001
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the
Docket Operations office between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Office
(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
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3887
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations
and Policy Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193–0111, telephone (817) 222–5122,
fax (817) 222–5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new
process for streamlining the issuance of
ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined
process will allow us to adopt MCAI
safety requirements in a more efficient
manner and will reduce safety risks to
the public. This process continues to
follow all FAA AD issuance processes to
meet legal, economic, Administrative
Procedure Act, and Federal Register
requirements. We also continue to meet
our technical decision-making
responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated
products.
This proposed AD references the
MCAI and related service information
that we considered in forming the
engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The proposed AD contains
text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain
language principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2008–0040; Directorate Identifier
2007–SW–13–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of this proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the
aviation authority for Canada, has
issued an MCAI in the form of Canadian
Airworthiness Directive CF–2007–01,
dated January 19, 2007 (referred to after
this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for the Canadian-certificated
products. The MCAI states:
It has been determined that some
helicopters have been fitted with a CRES
steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407–030–
750–103, and the installation of the tailboom
E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM
23JAP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3885-3887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1023]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0042; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-26-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Model MBB-
BK 117C-2 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117C-2
helicopters. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The European Aviation Safety Agency for the Republic
of Germany, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the
MCAI:
During inadvertent operation of the fire extinguishing system,
in one case it occurred that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the
ability of the fire extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress an engine
fire creates an unsafe condition. The proposed actions are intended to
address this unsafe condition by further securing the injection tubes
with improved clamps, allowing suppression of a contained engine fire,
and preventing an uncontained engine fire and subsequent loss of the
helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 22,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 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 https://
www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Strasburger, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5167, fax (817) 222-
5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0042;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-26-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
[[Page 3886]]
personal information you provide. We will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this
proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued an
MCAI in the form of an EASA AD No. 2007-0121, dated May 3, 2007
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for this German-certificated product. The MCAI states:
During inadvertent operation of the fire extinguishing system,
in one case it occurred that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the
ability of the fire extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress an engine
fire creates an unsafe condition. The proposed actions are intended to
address this unsafe condition by further securing the injection tubes
with improved clamps, allowing suppression of a contained engine fire,
and preventing an uncontained engine fire and subsequent loss of the
helicopter.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and
service information in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-26A-001,
dated January 22, 2007. The actions described in the MCAI are intended
to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in the service
information.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the
Federal Republic of Germany, and is approved for operation in the
United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of
Design, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI and service information. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information. Any such
differences are highlighted in the ``Differences Between the FAA AD and
the MCAI'' section in the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 26 helicopters
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 3.5 work-
hours per helicopter to replace the clamps on the injection tubes. The
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost $20
per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $7,800, or $300 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 above, 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); and
3. 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, 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 adding the following new AD:
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2008-0042; Directorate
Identifier 2007-SW-26-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February 22, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117C-2 helicopters, Serial
Number (S/N) 9004 through S/N 9104, and S/N 9106, 9107, and 9111,
with a fire extinguishing system B26K1002-801, B262K1003-801, or
B262K1004-801, installed, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
During inadvertent operation of the fire extinguishing system,
in one case it occurred that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the
ability of the fire extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress an engine
fire creates an unsafe condition. The proposed actions are intended
to address this unsafe condition by further securing the injection
tubes with improved clamps, allowing suppression of a contained
engine fire, and preventing an uncontained engine fire and
subsequent loss of the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) At the next 100 hours time-in-service inspection, unless
already done, replace the current injection tube clamps by
installing GBS clamps, part number GBSM24/18W4SK, by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph A., and Figure 1 of
[[Page 3887]]
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-26A-001, dated
January 22, 2007.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) The FAA refers to the compliance time by hours time-in-
service rather than flight hours as referred to in the MCAI.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code JASC 262
Extinguishing System.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: John
Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111,
telephone (817) 222-5167, fax (817) 222-5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(i) MCAI Airworthiness Directive No. 2007-0121, dated May 3,
2007, contains related information.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4, 2008.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1023 Filed 1-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
