Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135 Helicopters, 8722-8724 [2012-3184]
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8722
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 15, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
totaling $10 million or less, as of the
preceding year-end. Provisions of the
Economic Growth and Regulatory
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, 12
U.S.C. 2808(b), amended HMDA to
expand the asset-size exemption for
depository institutions. The statutory
amendment increased the dollar amount
of the asset-size exemption threshold by
requiring a one-time adjustment of the
$10 million figure based on the
percentage by which the CPI–W for
1996 exceeded the CPI–W for 1975, and
it provided for annual adjustments
thereafter based on the annual
percentage increase in the CPI–W,
rounded to the nearest multiple of one
million dollars.
The definition of ‘‘financial
institution’’ in Regulation C provides
that the Bureau will adjust the asset
threshold based on the year-to-year
change in the average of the CPI–W, not
seasonally adjusted, for each twelve
month period ending in November,
rounded to the nearest million. 12 CFR
1003.2. For 2011, the threshold was $40
million. During the twelve-month
period ending in November 2011, the
CPI–W increased by 3.43 percent. As a
result, the exemption threshold is
increased to $41 million. Thus,
depository institutions with assets of
$41 million or less as of December 31,
2011 are exempt from collecting data in
2012. An institution’s exemption from
collecting data in 2012 does not affect
its responsibility to report data it was
required to collect in 2011.
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Final Rule
Under the Administrative Procedure
Act, notice and opportunity for public
comment are not required if the Bureau
finds that notice and public comment
are impracticable, unnecessary, or
contrary to the public interest. 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B). Comment 2(Financial
institution)-2 is amended to update the
exemption threshold. The amendment
in this notice is technical and nondiscretionary, and it merely applies the
formula established by Regulation C for
determining any adjustments to the
exemption threshold. For these reasons,
the Bureau has determined that
publishing a notice of proposed
rulemaking and providing opportunity
for public comment are unnecessary.
Therefore, the amendment is adopted in
final form.
List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1003
Banks, Banking, Credit unions,
Mortgages, National banks, Savings
associations, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:28 Feb 14, 2012
Jkt 226001
Authority and Issuance
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, the Bureau of Consumer
Financial Protection amends 12 CFR
part 1003 as follows:
PART 1003—HOME MORTGAGE
DISCLOSURE (REGULATION C)
1. The authority citation for part 1003
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 2803, 2804, 2805,
5512, 5581.
2. In Appendix B to part 1003,
Supplement I to part 1003, under
Section 1003.2—Definitions, Financial
institution, paragraph 2 is revised to
read as follows:
■
Appendix B to Part 1003—Form and
Instructions for Data Collection on
Ethnicity, Race, and Sex
*
*
*
*
*
Supplement I to Part 1003—Staff
Commentary
*
*
*
*
*
Section 1003.2—Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Financial institution.
*
*
*
*
*
2. Adjustment of exemption threshold for
depository institutions. For data collection in
2012, the asset-size exemption threshold is
$41 million. Depository institutions with
assets at or below $41 million as of December
31, 2011 are exempt from collecting data for
2012.
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: February 3, 2012.
Richard Cordray,
Director, Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2012–3460 Filed 2–14–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2011–0453; Directorate
Identifier 2008–SW–16–AD; Amendment 39–
16942; AD 2012–03–01]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter
Deutschland Model EC135 Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
DATES:
Effective March 21, 2012.
For service information
identified in this AD, contact American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum
Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052;
telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–
0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at https://
www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may
review a copy of the 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 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 AD, the economic
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone
800–647–5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations
Office, M–30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
ADDRESSES:
Eric
Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and
Guidance Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222–5204; email:
eric.haight@faa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Model
EC135 helicopters. This AD results from
SUMMARY:
a mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) AD issued by the
aviation authority of the Federal
Republic of Germany, with which we
have a bilateral agreement, to identify
and correct an unsafe condition. The
MCAI AD states that in the past, the
FADEC FAIL caution light illuminated
on a few EC135 T1 helicopters. It states
that this was caused by a discrepancy in
the parameters that was generated
within the fuel main metering unit and
transmitted to the FADEC. This
discrepancy led to the display of the
FADEC FAIL caution light and
‘‘freezing’’ of the fuel main metering
valve at its position, resulting in loss of
the automatic engine control in the
affected system. With the MCAI AD, a
synchronization procedure for pilots,
which was already used in the past, is
being reintroduced, which prevents the
parameter discrepancy arising and thus
sustains the automatic engine control.
The AD actions are intended to
prevent failure of the FADEC to
automatically meter fuel, indicated by a
FADEC FAIL cockpit caution light, and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM
15FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 15, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
Discussion
Costs of Compliance
On April 28, 2011, we issued a Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD
that would apply to the Eurocopter
Deutschland (ECD) Model EC135
helicopters. That NPRM was published
in the Federal Register on May 13,
2011, at 76 FR 27956. That NPRM
proposed to reintroduce a
synchronization procedure for pilots to
prevent a parameter discrepancy from
arising and sustain the automatic engine
control.
We estimate that this AD will affect
about 20 helicopters of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it will take about a
half work-hour to copy and insert the
synchronization procedure into the
RFM. The average labor rate is $85 per
hour. We estimate the cost of the AD on
U.S. operators to be $850.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD, but
we did not receive any comments on the
NPRM.
FAA’s Determination
We have reviewed the relevant
information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other products of the
same type design, and that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the
AD requirements as proposed with the
changes described previously and other
minor editorial changes. These changes
are consistent with the intent of the
proposals in the NPRM and will not
increase the economic burden on any
operator nor increase the scope of the
AD.
Differences Between This AD and the
MCAI AD
We use a 50-hour time-in-service
(TIS) compliance time rather than before
further flight as used in the MCAI AD.
Also, the MCAI AD states to follow the
ASB and insert pages into the Rotorcraft
Flight Manual (RFM). We did not follow
the ASB, which requires the RFM
information to be filed in the Section 4,
Normal Procedures, of the RFM. To
make compliance with the information
mandatory, we are requiring that it be
inserted into the Section 2, Limitations
Section of the RFM.
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Related Service Information
ECD has issued Alert Service Bulletin
No. EC135–71A–024, dated August 6,
2002 (ASB). The ASB contains copies of
special information to be inserted into
the RFM for synchronizing fuel control
components for sustaining automatic
engine control. The ASB specifies
making copies of the RFM pages
contained in the ASB, cutting them out,
and filing them in the RFM. The actions
described in the MCAI AD are intended
to correct the same unsafe condition as
that identified in this service
information.
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Jkt 226001
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
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 the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska to the extent that a regulatory
distinction is required; 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.
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
8723
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA will 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
2012–03–01 Eurocopter Deutschland:
Amendment 39–16942. Docket No.
FAA–2011–0453; Directorate Identifier
2008–SW–16–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC135
helicopters with Turbomeca Arrius 2B or 2B1
engines installed, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a
discrepancy generated within the fuel main
metering unit and transmitted to the FADEC,
which could lead to the display of the
FADEC FAIL caution light and ‘‘freezing’’ of
the fuel main metering valve at its position.
This condition could result in loss of the
automatic engine control.
(c) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 21, 2012.
(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
Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS),
either insert the following procedure by
making pen-and-ink changes to the Rotorcraft
Flight Manual (RFM) or by inserting a copy
of this AD into the Limitations Section of the
RFM.
SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR OEI/
AUTOROTATION TRAINING AND
APPROACH/LANDING PREPARATION
In order to prevent a malfunction, which
could lead to a FADEC FAIL indication, the
following procedure is mandatory:
The procedure shown below must be
performed while in a steady flight condition
and at a safe altitude:
—Before initiation of every approach (with or
without landing)
—During training of OEI or Autorotation
before every switch-over to IDLE
CAUTION: DURING THE RESET
PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN THE
FOLLOWING, NO INPUTS ARE TO BE
MADE TO THE COLLECTIVE LEVER OR TO
THE TWIST GRIP FOR MANUAL ENGINE
CONTROL, SINCE THIS CAN LEAD TO AN
INEFFECTIVE SYNCHRONIZATION.
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15FER1
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 15, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
The reset procedure is identical for each of
two systems and is to be applied for both
engines, one after the other.
Procedure
1. ENG MODE SEL switch—Set from
NORM TO MAN
After illumination of the ENG MANUAL
caution:
2. ENG MODE SEL switch—Set from MAN
to NORM: ENG MANUAL caution must go
off
Repeat procedure for second engine.
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
proposal to: Eric Haight, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Guidance Group,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137, telephone (817) 222–5204, email:
eric.haight@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a Part
119 operating certificate or under 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.
(g) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin
EC135–71A–024, dated August 6, 2008,
which is not incorporated by reference,
contains additional information about the
subject of this AD. For service information
identified in this AD, contact American
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum
Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone
(972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax (972)
641–3775; or at https://www.eurocopter.com/
techpub. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort
Worth, Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (Germany) AD No.
2002–333, dated September 16, 2002.
(h) Subject
Air Transport Association of America
(ATA) Tracking Code: 7600, Engine Controls.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27,
2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
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BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:28 Feb 14, 2012
Jkt 226001
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
18 CFR Part 157
[Docket No. RM81–19–000]
Natural Gas Pipelines; Project Cost
and Annual Limits
February 9, 2012.
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, DOE.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
[FR Doc. 2012–3184 Filed 2–14–12; 8:45 am]
Effective Date
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Pursuant to the authority
delegated by 18 CFR 375.308(x)(1), the
Director of the Office of Energy Projects
(OEP) computes and publishes the
project cost and annual limits for
natural gas pipelines blanket
construction certificates for each
calendar year.
DATES: This final rule is effective
February 15, 2012 and establishes cost
limits applicable from January 1, 2012
through December 31, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Foley, Chief, Certificates
Branch 1, Division of Pipeline
Certificates, (202) 502–8955.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Publication of Project Cost Limits
Under Blanket Certificates
Docket No. RM81–19–000
Order of the Director, OEP
February 9, 2012.
Section 157.208(d) of the
Commission’s Regulations provides for
project cost limits applicable to
construction, acquisition, operation and
miscellaneous rearrangement of
facilities (Table I) authorized under the
blanket certificate procedure (Order No.
234, 19 FERC ¶ 61,216). Section
157.215(a) specifies the calendar year
dollar limit which may be expended on
underground storage testing and
development (Table II) authorized under
the blanket certificate. Section
157.208(d) requires that the ‘‘limits
specified in Tables I and II shall be
adjusted each calendar year to reflect
the ‘GDP implicit price deflator’
published by the Department of
Commerce for the previous calendar
year.’’
Pursuant to § 375.308(x)(1) of the
Commission’s Regulations, the authority
for the publication of such cost limits,
as adjusted for inflation, is delegated to
the Director of the Office of Energy
Projects. The cost limits for calendar
year 2012, as published in Table I of
§ 157.208(d) and Table II of § 157.215(a),
are hereby issued.
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This final rule is effective February
15. The provisions of 5 U.S.C. 804
regarding Congressional review of Final
Rules does not apply to the Final Rule
because the rule concerns agency
procedure and practice and will not
substantially affect the rights or
obligations of non-agency parties. The
Final Rule merely updates amounts
published in the Code of Federal
Regulations to reflect the Department of
Commerce’s latest annual determination
of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
implicit price deflator, a mathematical
updating required by the Commission’s
existing regulations.
List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 157
Administrative practice and
procedure, Natural gas, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Jeff C. Wright,
Director, Office of Energy Projects.
Accordingly, 18 CFR part 157 is
amended as follows:
PART 157—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 157
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717–717w, 3301–
3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101–7352.
2. Table I in § 157.208(d) is revised to
read as follows:
■
§ 157.208 Construction, acquisition,
operation, replacement, and miscellaneous
rearrangement of facilities.
*
*
*
(d) * * *
*
*
TABLE I
Limit
Year
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM
Auto. proj. cost
limit (Col. 1)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
$4,200,000
4,500,000
4,700,000
4,900,000
5,100,000
5,200,000
5,400,000
5,600,000
5,800,000
6,000,000
6,200,000
6,400,000
6,600,000
6,700,000
6,900,000
7,000,000
7,100,000
7,200,000
7,300,000
7,400,000
7,500,000
15FER1
Prior notice proj.
cost limit (Col. 2)
$12,000,000
12,800,000
13,300,000
13,800,000
14,300,000
14,700,000
15,100,000
15,600,000
16,000,000
16,700,000
17,300,000
17,700,000
18,100,000
18,400,000
18,800,000
19,200,000
19,600,000
19,800,000
20,200,000
20,600,000
21,000,000
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8722-8724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3184]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0453; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD;
Amendment 39-16942; AD 2012-03-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Model EC135 helicopters. This AD results
from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued
by the aviation authority of the Federal Republic of Germany, with
which we have a bilateral agreement, to identify and correct an unsafe
condition. The MCAI AD states that in the past, the FADEC FAIL caution
light illuminated on a few EC135 T1 helicopters. It states that this
was caused by a discrepancy in the parameters that was generated within
the fuel main metering unit and transmitted to the FADEC. This
discrepancy led to the display of the FADEC FAIL caution light and
``freezing'' of the fuel main metering valve at its position, resulting
in loss of the automatic engine control in the affected system. With
the MCAI AD, a synchronization procedure for pilots, which was already
used in the past, is being reintroduced, which prevents the parameter
discrepancy arising and thus sustains the automatic engine control.
The AD actions are intended to prevent failure of the FADEC to
automatically meter fuel, indicated by a FADEC FAIL cockpit caution
light, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective March 21, 2012.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775;
or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review a copy of the
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 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 AD, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations office (telephone 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5204; email:
eric.haight@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 8723]]
Discussion
On April 28, 2011, we issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the
Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Model EC135 helicopters. That NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2011, at 76 FR 27956. That
NPRM proposed to reintroduce a synchronization procedure for pilots to
prevent a parameter discrepancy from arising and sustain the automatic
engine control.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.
FAA's Determination
We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design, and that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed with the
changes described previously and other minor editorial changes. These
changes are consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM and
will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of the AD.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD
We use a 50-hour time-in-service (TIS) compliance time rather than
before further flight as used in the MCAI AD. Also, the MCAI AD states
to follow the ASB and insert pages into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual
(RFM). We did not follow the ASB, which requires the RFM information to
be filed in the Section 4, Normal Procedures, of the RFM. To make
compliance with the information mandatory, we are requiring that it be
inserted into the Section 2, Limitations Section of the RFM.
Related Service Information
ECD has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-71A-024, dated
August 6, 2002 (ASB). The ASB contains copies of special information to
be inserted into the RFM for synchronizing fuel control components for
sustaining automatic engine control. The ASB specifies making copies of
the RFM pages contained in the ASB, cutting them out, and filing them
in the RFM. The actions described in the MCAI AD are intended to
correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in this service
information.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 20 helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about a half work-hour to
copy and insert the synchronization procedure into the RFM. The average
labor rate is $85 per hour. We estimate the cost of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $850.
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
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 the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
a regulatory distinction is required; 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.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA will amend 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):
2012-03-01 Eurocopter Deutschland: Amendment 39-16942. Docket No.
FAA-2011-0453; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-16-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model EC135 helicopters with Turbomeca Arrius
2B or 2B1 engines installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a discrepancy generated
within the fuel main metering unit and transmitted to the FADEC,
which could lead to the display of the FADEC FAIL caution light and
``freezing'' of the fuel main metering valve at its position. This
condition could result in loss of the automatic engine control.
(c) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 21, 2012.
(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
Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), either insert the
following procedure by making pen-and-ink changes to the Rotorcraft
Flight Manual (RFM) or by inserting a copy of this AD into the
Limitations Section of the RFM.
SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR OEI/AUTOROTATION TRAINING AND APPROACH/
LANDING PREPARATION
In order to prevent a malfunction, which could lead to a FADEC
FAIL indication, the following procedure is mandatory:
The procedure shown below must be performed while in a steady
flight condition and at a safe altitude:
--Before initiation of every approach (with or without landing)
--During training of OEI or Autorotation before every switch-over to
IDLE
CAUTION: DURING THE RESET PROCEDURE DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING,
NO INPUTS ARE TO BE MADE TO THE COLLECTIVE LEVER OR TO THE TWIST
GRIP FOR MANUAL ENGINE CONTROL, SINCE THIS CAN LEAD TO AN
INEFFECTIVE SYNCHRONIZATION.
[[Page 8724]]
The reset procedure is identical for each of two systems and is
to be applied for both engines, one after the other.
Procedure
1. ENG MODE SEL switch--Set from NORM TO MAN
After illumination of the ENG MANUAL caution:
2. ENG MODE SEL switch--Set from MAN to NORM: ENG MANUAL caution
must go off
Repeat procedure for second engine.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft
Directorate, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal
to: Eric Haight, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Guidance
Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817)
222-5204, email: eric.haight@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a Part 119 operating
certificate or under 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.
(g) Additional Information
(1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-71A-024, dated
August 6, 2008, which is not incorporated by reference, contains
additional information about the subject of this AD. For service
information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter
Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone
(972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(Germany) AD No. 2002-333, dated September 16, 2002.
(h) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code: 7600,
Engine Controls.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3184 Filed 2-14-12; 8:45 am]
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