Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters, 25361-25363 [2013-09433]

Download as PDF 25361 Rules and Regulations Federal Register Vol. 78, No. 84 Wednesday, May 1, 2013 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each week. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2012–0773; Directorate Identifier 2009–SW–71–AD; Amendment 39– 17352; AD 2013–03–18] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB–BK 117 C–2 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the long tail rotor drive shaft assembly for blind rivets, and if any blind rivets are installed, replacing that shaft assembly. This AD was prompted by the discovery that some helicopters have blind rivets installed in the place of solid rivets in the long tail rotor drive shaft. The actions of this AD are intended to detect blind rivets installed in the long tail rotor drive shaft, which could lead to failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. DATES: This AD is effective June 5, 2013. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of June 5, 2013. ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052; telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232– 0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at https:// www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:02 Apr 30, 2013 Jkt 229001 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, any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 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: Jim Grigg, Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email jim.grigg@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion On July 26, 2012, at 77 FR 43736, the Federal Register published our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter Model MBB–BK 117 C–2 helicopters. That NPRM proposed to require, within 100 hours time-inservice (TIS), inspecting the long tail rotor drive shaft assembly for blind rivets. If there are no blind rivets installed on the shaft assembly, no further action would be required by the AD. If there are one or more blind rivets installed on the shaft assembly, the NPRM proposed to require replacing the shaft assembly of the long tail rotor drive with an airworthy shaft assembly before further flight. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD No. 2009–0119, dated June 4, 2009, to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model MBB–BK 117 C–2 helicopters. EASA advises that an error was discovered in the Eurocopter aircraft maintenance PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 manual (AMM), which erroneously specifies replacing the solid rivets on the long tail rotor drive shaft with blind rivets. All delivered helicopters had the long tail rotor drive shafts installed during production fitted with the correct solid rivets. The long tail rotor drive shafts repaired in-service in accordance with the AMM may have blind rivets installed. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a significant reduction of the life of the long tail rotor drive shaft, failure of the long tail rotor drive shaft, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Comments We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (77 FR 43736, July 26, 2012). FAA’s Determination This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of Germany and is 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 AD. 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 the same type design and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed except we are incorporating a figure by reference instead of including it in our AD to meet current publication requirements. This change is consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM (77 FR 43736, July 26, 2012) and will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD This AD uses the term ‘‘TIS’’ instead of ‘‘flight hours.’’ Related Service Information Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB BK117 C–2–65A–003, dated May 4, 2009 (ASB), which specifies inspecting long tail rotor drive shafts to determine what type of rivets are installed. If one or more blind rivets are installed, the ASB specifies replacing the long tail rotor drive shaft assembly with a serviceable long tail E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 25362 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 84 / Wednesday, May 1, 2013 / Rules and Regulations rotor drive shaft assembly. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and issued EASA AD No. 2009–0119, dated June 4, 2009, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD will affect 88 helicopters of U.S. registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD: • It will take about 2 work hours to inspect and replace the long tail rotor drive shaft at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. • Required parts to replace each long tail rotor drive shaft assembly cost about $4,600 each. Based upon these figures, the total cost per helicopter would be $4,770. The total cost for the entire U.S. fleet would be $419,760, assuming that the long tail rotor drive shaft assembly is required to be replaced on the entire fleet. wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 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 helicopters identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings 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); VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:02 Apr 30, 2013 Jkt 229001 (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 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. 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. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): ■ (2) If there is one or more blind rivets installed on the shaft assembly in the areas depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB, before further flight, replace the shaft assembly of the long tail rotor drive shaft with an airworthy shaft assembly that does not have blind rivets installed. (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a tail rotor drive shaft assembly that has blind rivets installed. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg, Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email jim.grigg@faa.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR 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 The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2009–0119, dated June 4, 2009. (h) Subject 2013–03–18 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter): Amendment 39–17352; Docket No. FAA–2012–0773; Directorate Identifier 2009–SW–71–AD. Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor Drive Shaft. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model MBB–BK 117 C– 2 helicopters, with long tail rotor drive shaft assembly part number B651M1002101 or B651M1002102 installed, certificated in any category. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB BK117 C–2–65A–003, dated May 4, 2009. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052; telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at https://www.eurocopter.com/ techpub. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030, or go to: https:// www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as the installation of blind rivets instead of solid rivets in the long tail rotor drive shaft. This condition could result in failure of the long tail rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective June 5, 2013. (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 100 hours time-in-service, inspect the long tail rotor drive shaft assembly for blind rivets as indicated in sections A–A and B–B of Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB BK117 C–2–65A–003, dated May 4, 2009 (ASB). (1) If there are no blind rivets installed on the shaft assembly, no further action is required by this AD. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (i) Material Incorporated by Reference E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 84 / Wednesday, May 1, 2013 / Rules and Regulations Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 12, 2013. Lance T. Gant, Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2013–09433 Filed 4–30–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2013–0348; Directorate Identifier 2013–CE–005–AD; Amendment 39–17439; AD 2013–08–21] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Diamond Aircraft Industries Model DA 40 NG airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as chafing between the charge air tubing and the engine firewall that may cause a hole in the charge air tubing, which could result in loss of charged air pressure with consequent loss of engine power and loss of control. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective May 21, 2013. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 21, 2013. We must receive comments on this AD by June 17, 2013. 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, wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES DATES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:02 Apr 30, 2013 Jkt 229001 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. For service information identified in this AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Str.5, A–2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; telephone: +43 2622 26700; fax: +43 2622 26780; email: office@diamondair.at; Internet: https:// www.diamondaircraft.com/contact/ technical.php. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov; 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 regulatory 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–4144; fax: (816) 329–4090; email: mike.kiesov@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2013– 0018, dated January 21, 2013 (referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: An occurrence of loss of engine charge air pressure was reported, which prompted an in-flight Engine Control Unit warning. The investigation results identified that chafing caused a hole in the charge air tubing where it touched the engine firewall. Further investigation results identified other DA 40 NG aeroplanes with chafing marks in this area. To prevent chafing between the charged air tube and engine firewall, DAI issued Recommended SB 40NG–011 to replace the charged air elbow hose between the turbocharger and intercooler with an aluminium tube to improve the durability of the charged air system. After issuance of SB 40NG–011, an additional occurrence of a hole in a charge air tube was reported, apparently caused by PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 25363 chafing. The results of the subsequent investigation revealed that the improved design cannot assure the necessary clearance between the charged air tubing and surrounding parts. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of charged air pressure, possibly resulting in loss of engine power and reduced control of the aeroplane. To address this unsafe condition, DAI issued Mandatory SB 40NG–18, providing instructions to inspect the charged air tubing from the turbocharger to the intercooler and replacement of affected parts with an improved design. For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive inspections of charged air tubing for the presence of the chafing marks and, depending on findings, replacement of damaged tubing, or installation of improved design tubing. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket. Relevant Service Information Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin 40NG–018/1, dated November 20, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. FAA’s Determination and Requirements of the AD This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. FAA’s Determination of the Effective Date An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because there is only one airplane on the U.S. registry affected by this unsafe condition, and the required modification has been completed on the specific airplane. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days. E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 1, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25361-25363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09433]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
week.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 84 / Wednesday, May 1, 2013 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 25361]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0773; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-71-AD; 
Amendment 39-17352; AD 2013-03-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the long tail rotor drive 
shaft assembly for blind rivets, and if any blind rivets are installed, 
replacing that shaft assembly. This AD was prompted by the discovery 
that some helicopters have blind rivets installed in the place of solid 
rivets in the long tail rotor drive shaft. The actions of this AD are 
intended to detect blind rivets installed in the long tail rotor drive 
shaft, which could lead to failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective June 5, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of June 5, 2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, 
Texas 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-
3775; or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review 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, any incorporated-by-reference 
service information, the economic evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations 
Office (phone: 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: Jim Grigg, Manager, Safety Management 
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email jim.grigg@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On July 26, 2012, at 77 FR 43736, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter Model MBB-
BK 117 C-2 helicopters. That NPRM proposed to require, within 100 hours 
time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the long tail rotor drive shaft 
assembly for blind rivets. If there are no blind rivets installed on 
the shaft assembly, no further action would be required by the AD. If 
there are one or more blind rivets installed on the shaft assembly, the 
NPRM proposed to require replacing the shaft assembly of the long tail 
rotor drive with an airworthy shaft assembly before further flight. The 
proposed requirements were intended to prevent failure of the tail 
rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD No. 
2009-0119, dated June 4, 2009, to correct an unsafe condition for the 
Eurocopter Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. EASA advises that an error 
was discovered in the Eurocopter aircraft maintenance manual (AMM), 
which erroneously specifies replacing the solid rivets on the long tail 
rotor drive shaft with blind rivets. All delivered helicopters had the 
long tail rotor drive shafts installed during production fitted with 
the correct solid rivets. The long tail rotor drive shafts repaired in-
service in accordance with the AMM may have blind rivets installed. 
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a significant reduction 
of the life of the long tail rotor drive shaft, failure of the long 
tail rotor drive shaft, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (77 FR 43736, 
July 26, 2012).

FAA's Determination

    This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and is 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 AD. 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 the same type 
design and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD requirements as proposed except we are incorporating a figure by 
reference instead of including it in our AD to meet current publication 
requirements. This change is consistent with the intent of the 
proposals in the NPRM (77 FR 43736, July 26, 2012) and will not 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    This AD uses the term ``TIS'' instead of ``flight hours.''

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB BK117 C-2-65A-
003, dated May 4, 2009 (ASB), which specifies inspecting long tail 
rotor drive shafts to determine what type of rivets are installed. If 
one or more blind rivets are installed, the ASB specifies replacing the 
long tail rotor drive shaft assembly with a serviceable long tail

[[Page 25362]]

rotor drive shaft assembly. EASA classified this ASB as mandatory and 
issued EASA AD No. 2009-0119, dated June 4, 2009, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 88 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD:
     It will take about 2 work hours to inspect and replace the 
long tail rotor drive shaft at an average labor rate of $85 per work 
hour.
     Required parts to replace each long tail rotor drive shaft 
assembly cost about $4,600 each.
    Based upon these figures, the total cost per helicopter would be 
$4,770. The total cost for the entire U.S. fleet would be $419,760, 
assuming that the long tail rotor drive shaft assembly is required to 
be replaced on the entire fleet.

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 helicopters identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    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.

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

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):

2013-03-18 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter): Amendment 39-
17352; Docket No. FAA-2012-0773; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-71-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, with long 
tail rotor drive shaft assembly part number B651M1002101 or 
B651M1002102 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the installation of 
blind rivets instead of solid rivets in the long tail rotor drive 
shaft. This condition could result in failure of the long tail rotor 
drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 5, 2013.

(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 100 hours time-in-service, inspect the long tail rotor 
drive shaft assembly for blind rivets as indicated in sections A-A 
and B-B of Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB 
BK117 C-2-65A-003, dated May 4, 2009 (ASB).
    (1) If there are no blind rivets installed on the shaft 
assembly, no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If there is one or more blind rivets installed on the shaft 
assembly in the areas depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB, before 
further flight, replace the shaft assembly of the long tail rotor 
drive shaft with an airworthy shaft assembly that does not have 
blind rivets installed.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a tail 
rotor drive shaft assembly that has blind rivets installed.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg, Manager, Safety 
Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
jim.grigg@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR 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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency AD No. 2009-0119, dated June 4, 2009.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor 
Drive Shaft.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB BK117 C-2-65A-003, 
dated May 4, 2009.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, 
contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; 
fax (972) 641-3775; or at https://www.eurocopter.com/techpub.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 25363]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 12, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09433 Filed 4-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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