Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters, 56597-56599 [2013-22181]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 178 / Friday, September 13, 2013 / Rules and Regulations can be found in paragraph 3.A of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. GE90 S/B 72–1076, dated November 19, 2012. (ii) Refer to Figure 2 of GE SB No. GE90 S/B 72–1076, dated November 19, 2012, to determine the degree of shroud corrosion and oxidation. (iii) Use paragraph 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE SB No. GE90 S/B 72–1076, dated November 19, 2012, to determine the next inspection interval. (4) For engines listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD: (i) Perform a 360-degree BSI of the stage 1 HPT stator shrouds for corrosion and oxidation. Guidance for performing the BSI can be found in paragraph 3.A of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE SB No. SB 72–0528 R01, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013, or GE GE90–100 SB No. SB 72–0528, dated November 15, 2012. (ii) Refer to Figure 2 of GE SB No. SB 72– 0528 R01, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013, or GE GE90–100 SB No. SB 72–0528, dated November 15, 2012, to determine the degree of shroud corrosion and oxidation. (iii) Use paragraph 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of GE SB No. SB 72–0528 R01, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013, or GE GE90–100 SB No. SB 72–0528, dated November 15, 2012, to determine the next inspection interval. (5) Remove from service before further flight, any stage 1 HPT stator shroud found with any hole further than 0.35-inch from the shroud leading edge, and more than 0.25inch in diameter, and that is more than 0.049 square inch in area. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781–238–7125. (5) You may view this service information 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. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19 to make your request. SUMMARY: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES (h) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Jason Yang, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–238–7747; fax: 781–238– 7199; email: jason.yang@faa.gov. (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) General Electric Company (GE) Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB 72–0528 R01, Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013. (ii) GE SB No. GE90–100 SB 72–0528, dated November 15, 2012. (iii) GE SB No. GE90 S/B 72–1076, dated November 19, 2012. (3) For GE service information identified in this AD, contact General Electric Company, One Neumann Way, MD Y–75, Cincinnati, OH; phone: 513–552–2913; email: geae.aoc@ ge.com; Web site: www.GE.com. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:44 Sep 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 22, 2013. Dorenda D. Baker, Director, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2013–22243 Filed 9–12–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2013–0398; Directorate Identifier 2011–SW–065–AD; Amendment 39–17578; AD 2013–18–05] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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, the foreign authority’s AD, any incorporated-byreference 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: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email matt.wilbanks@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters with certain fire extinguishing systems installed. This AD requires modifying the fire extinguishing system injection tubes. This AD is prompted by a report that the injection tubes are deforming due to heat. The actions required by this AD are intended to prevent deformation of the fire extinguishing system injection tubes during a fire, which could result in impaired distribution of the fire extinguishing agent, failure of the fire extinguishing system to contain an engine fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. DATES: This AD is effective October 18, 2013. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 18, 2013. 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:// PO 00000 56597 On May 8, 2013, at 78 FR 26715, 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 ECD Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters with a fire extinguishing system part number (P/N) L262M1808101, P/N L262M1812101, or P/N L262M1812102 installed. The NPRM proposed to require, within 30 days, cutting out a portion of the existing fire extinguishing system injection tubes and replacing that portion with a section of new injection tubing. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent deformation of the fire extinguishing system injection tubes during a fire, which could result in impaired distribution of the fire extinguishing agent, failure of the fire extinguishing system to contain an engine fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2011–0172, dated September 7, 2011, issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD No. 2011–0172 to correct an unsafe E:\FR\FM\13SER1.SGM 13SER1 56598 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 178 / Friday, September 13, 2013 / Rules and Regulations condition for ECD Model EC 135 P1, EC 135 P2, EC 135 P2+, EC 135 T1, EC 135 T2, EC 135 T2+, EC 635 T1, EC 635 P2+, and EC 635 T2+ helicopters with a single engine fire extinguishing system, P/N L262M1808101, P/N L262M1812101, or P/N L262M1812102, or with a dual engine fire extinguishing system, P/N L262M1813102, installed. EASA advises that the fire extinguishing system injection tubes on Model EC 135 and EC 635 helicopters ‘‘are not compliant with the relevant airworthiness requirements, because they are also forming part of the firewall.’’ According to EASA, during an engine fire, this condition may affect the function of the fire extinguishing system and degrade the fire containment capability of the system to the extent that it is incapable of extinguishing an engine fire. For these reasons, EASA issued AD 2011–0172, which requires modification of the affected injection tubes by removing part of the tubing and replacing it with a section of heatresistant injection tubing. Comments We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 26715, May 8, 2013). emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES FAA’s Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of the Federal Republic of Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the Federal Republic of 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 these same type designs and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed. Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD The EASA AD applies to helicopters with a dual engine fire extinguishing system and this AD does not because these systems are only installed on helicopters operated by the German Federal Police and are not operated in the U.S. Related Service Information ECD has issued EC135 Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135–26A–003, Revision 2, dated December 19, 2011, which describes procedures to remove a section of the fire extinguishing system VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:44 Sep 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 injection tubing and replace it with heat-resistant injection tubing. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD will affect 246 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Modifying the injection tubes will require about 4.5 work-hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour and required parts would cost about $900, for a cost of $1,282 per helicopter and a total cost to U.S. operators of $315,372. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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): ■ 2013–18–05 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39–17578; Docket No. FAA–2013–0398; Directorate Identifier 2011–SW–065–AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters with a fire extinguishing system part number (P/N) L262M1808101, P/N L262M1812101, or P/N L262M1812102 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as deformation of the fire extinguishing system injection tubes during an engine fire, which could result in impaired distribution of the fire extinguishing agent, failure of the fire extinguishing system to contain a fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective October 18, 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 (1) Within 30 days, modify each fire extinguishing system injection tube by removing and replacing a section of the tubing in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of Eurocopter EC135 Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135–26A–003, Revision 2, dated December 19, 2011. (2) Do not install an injection tube, P/N L262M1810101, P/N L262M1811801, or P/N L262M1809101, on any helicopter unless it has been modified as required by this AD. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this E:\FR\FM\13SER1.SGM 13SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 178 / Friday, September 13, 2013 / Rules and Regulations AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email matt.wilbanks@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 (EASA) AD No. 2011–0172, dated September 7, 2011. You may view the EASA AD in the AD Docket on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2620: Extinguishing System. (i) Material Incorporated by Reference emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES (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 EC135 Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135–26A–003, Revision 2, dated December 19, 2011. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Eurocopter 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. (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 also 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. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 27, 2013. Kim Smith, Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2013–22181 Filed 9–12–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:44 Sep 12, 2013 Jkt 229001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2013–0399; Directorate Identifier 2011–SW–064–AD; Amendment 39–17574; AD 2013–18–01] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA–365N, SA– 365N1, AS–365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA– 366G1 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the collective pitch lever for correct locking and unlocking conditions. This AD was prompted by two separate reports of inadvertent collective pitch lever locking and unlocking. The actions of this AD are intended to detect an incorrectly adjusted collective pitch lever, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter. SUMMARY: This AD is effective October 18, 2013. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of October 18, 2013. 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 the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. DATES: 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 foreign authorities’ ADs, any incorporated-byreference 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 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 56599 Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email matt.wilbanks@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion On May 8, 2013, at 78 FR 26712, 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 EC 155B, EC155B1, SA–365N, SA–365N1, AS–365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA–366G1 helicopters, except helicopters with modification (MOD) 0767B5 installed. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the collective pitch lever for correct unlocking with a spring scale, and if required, adjusting the collective pitch lever restraining tab and, for certain models, adjusting the collective link rods. The NPRM also proposed to require inspecting the collective pitch lever for the risk of inadvertent locking by measuring the clearance between the locking pin of the collective pitch lever and the L-section of the restraining tab, and if required, modifying the tab with a slight bend to the tab. The proposed requirements were intended to detect an incorrectly adjusted collective pitch lever, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2011–0154, dated August 22, 2011, issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2011–0154 to correct an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA–365N, SA–365N1, AS–365N2, AS 365 N3, and SA–366G1 helicopters. EASA advises that two occurrences have been reported of inadvertent locking and unlocking of the collective pitch lever. One inadvertent collective pitch lever locking occurred when moving the collective pitch lever to the low-pitch position, and one inadvertent collective pitch lever unlocking occurred during engine start. To address this unsafe condition, Eurocopter issued AS 365 Alert Telex No. 67.00.10, SA 366 Alert Telex No. 67.05, and EC 155 Alert Telex No. 67A007, which describe procedures to inspect the collective pitch lever for correct locking and unlocking conditions. This inspection was E:\FR\FM\13SER1.SGM 13SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56597-56599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0398; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-065-AD; 
Amendment 39-17578; AD 2013-18-05]
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 (ECD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, 
EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters with certain fire 
extinguishing systems installed. This AD requires modifying the fire 
extinguishing system injection tubes. This AD is prompted by a report 
that the injection tubes are deforming due to heat. The actions 
required by this AD are intended to prevent deformation of the fire 
extinguishing system injection tubes during a fire, which could result 
in impaired distribution of the fire extinguishing agent, failure of 
the fire extinguishing system to contain an engine fire, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective October 18, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 18, 
2013.

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 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 foreign authority's 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: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email matt.wilbanks@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On May 8, 2013, at 78 FR 26715, 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 ECD Model EC135P1, 
EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters with a 
fire extinguishing system part number (P/N) L262M1808101, P/N 
L262M1812101, or P/N L262M1812102 installed. The NPRM proposed to 
require, within 30 days, cutting out a portion of the existing fire 
extinguishing system injection tubes and replacing that portion with a 
section of new injection tubing. The proposed requirements were 
intended to prevent deformation of the fire extinguishing system 
injection tubes during a fire, which could result in impaired 
distribution of the fire extinguishing agent, failure of the fire 
extinguishing system to contain an engine fire, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2011-0172, dated September 7, 2011, 
issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
issued AD No. 2011-0172 to correct an unsafe

[[Page 56598]]

condition for ECD Model EC 135 P1, EC 135 P2, EC 135 P2+, EC 135 T1, EC 
135 T2, EC 135 T2+, EC 635 T1, EC 635 P2+, and EC 635 T2+ helicopters 
with a single engine fire extinguishing system, P/N L262M1808101, P/N 
L262M1812101, or P/N L262M1812102, or with a dual engine fire 
extinguishing system, P/N L262M1813102, installed. EASA advises that 
the fire extinguishing system injection tubes on Model EC 135 and EC 
635 helicopters ``are not compliant with the relevant airworthiness 
requirements, because they are also forming part of the firewall.'' 
According to EASA, during an engine fire, this condition may affect the 
function of the fire extinguishing system and degrade the fire 
containment capability of the system to the extent that it is incapable 
of extinguishing an engine fire. For these reasons, EASA issued AD 
2011-0172, which requires modification of the affected injection tubes 
by removing part of the tubing and replacing it with a section of heat-
resistant injection tubing.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 26715, 
May 8, 2013).

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
the Federal Republic of Germany and are approved for operation in the 
United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the Federal 
Republic of 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 these same type designs and that air 
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as 
proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to helicopters with a dual engine fire 
extinguishing system and this AD does not because these systems are 
only installed on helicopters operated by the German Federal Police and 
are not operated in the U.S.

Related Service Information

    ECD has issued EC135 Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-26A-003, 
Revision 2, dated December 19, 2011, which describes procedures to 
remove a section of the fire extinguishing system injection tubing and 
replace it with heat-resistant injection tubing.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 246 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. Modifying the injection tubes will 
require about 4.5 work-hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour 
and required parts would cost about $900, for a cost of $1,282 per 
helicopter and a total cost to U.S. operators of $315,372.

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):

2013-18-05 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-17578; Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0398; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-065-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model 
EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ 
helicopters with a fire extinguishing system part number (P/N) 
L262M1808101, P/N L262M1812101, or P/N L262M1812102 installed, 
certificated in any category.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as deformation of the fire 
extinguishing system injection tubes during an engine fire, which 
could result in impaired distribution of the fire extinguishing 
agent, failure of the fire extinguishing system to contain a fire, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 18, 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

    (1) Within 30 days, modify each fire extinguishing system 
injection tube by removing and replacing a section of the tubing in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of 
Eurocopter EC135 Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-26A-003, Revision 
2, dated December 19, 2011.
    (2) Do not install an injection tube, P/N L262M1810101, P/N 
L262M1811801, or P/N L262M1809101, on any helicopter unless it has 
been modified as required by this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this

[[Page 56599]]

AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email matt.wilbanks@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 (EASA) AD No. 2011-0172, dated September 7, 2011. You may 
view the EASA AD in the AD Docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2620: 
Extinguishing System.

(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 EC135 Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-26A-003, 
Revision 2, dated December 19, 2011.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Eurocopter 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.
    (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 also 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 27, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22181 Filed 9-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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