[Federal Register: January 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 4)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 871-873]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ja04-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-SW-21-AD; Amendment 39-13424; AD 2004-01-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model MBB-BK-117
A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK-117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-
1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters with a certain tail rotor (TR) transmission
or intermediate (INT) gearbox installed. This action requires
inspecting the magnetic plug of the TR transmission and INT gearbox for
metal particles before the first flight of each day. Replacing an
unairworthy TR transmission, INT gearbox, or bearings with airworthy
parts is also required within 30 days after the effective date of this
AD. This amendment is prompted by a report of production-related cracks
on the cage of bearings installed in certain TR transmissions and INT
gearboxes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in cracking
and separation of the bearing cage, failure of a bearing, failure of
the TR transmission or INT gearbox, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
DATES: Effective January 22, 2004.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before March 8, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-SW-21-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically
to the Rules Docket at the following address: 9-asw-adcomments@faa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), the airworthiness
authority for the Federal Republic of Germany, notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter Model MBB-BK-117 A-1, A-3, A-
4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters. The LBA advises that Eurocopter has
been informed by the manufacturer of the TR transmission and INT
gearbox that production-related cracks were found on the bearing cage,
which could lead to parts of the cage separating and entering the TR
transmission or INT gearbox.
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-MBB-BK117-30-
108, Revision 1, dated July 4, 2003, which specifies replacing the TR
transmission and INT gearbox or replacing the bearings in the TR
transmission and INT gearbox by September 30, 2003. The alert service
bulletin also specifies inspecting the magnetic plug before the first
flight each day until the subject bearings are replaced. The LBA
classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 2003-
161, dated April 29, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these helicopters in the Federal Republic of Germany.
These helicopter models are manufactured in the Federal Republic of
Germany, and are type certificated for operation in the United States
under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral
agreement. Pursuant to the applicable bilateral agreement, the Federal
Republic of Germany has kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the Federal
Republic of Germany, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of these type designs that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
The previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of these same type designs registered in
the United States. Therefore, this AD is being issued to prevent
cracking and separation of the bearing cage, failure of a bearing,
failure of the TR transmission or INT gearbox, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter. This AD requires inspecting the magnetic
plugs of the TR gearbox and INT gearbox for metal particle deposits
before the first flight of each day. If a small amount of fuzz is found
on the magnetic plug, the magnetic plug must be cleaned and may be
reinstalled. If there is an amount of fuzz that exceeds the amount
depicted in ``Pos. A'' of Figure 1 of this AD, then replacing the INT
gearbox, TR transmission, or bearing, part number (P/N) 4639310006,
with serial number (S/N) 3246 through 3598, is required within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD. The short compliance time involved
is required because the previously described critical unsafe condition
can adversely affect the controllability and structural integrity of
the helicopter. Therefore, the inspections and replacement, if
necessary, are required before further flight and this AD must be
issued immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. The
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products,
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. Because
we have now included this material in part 39, we no longer need to
include it in each individual AD.
The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 127 helicopters of U.S.
registry. It will take approximately 0.5 work hours to inspect both
magnetic plugs, and removing and replacing the affected bearings will
take approximately 6 work hours to accomplish at an average labor rate
of $65 per work hour. Assuming 30 days of inspections, the total cost
of inspections will be $123,825. Required parts (3 bearings for each
helicopter) will cost approximately $1,147 per helicopter. Based on
these assumptions, we estimate the total cost of this AD on U.S.
operators to be $319,023. The manufacturer has stated in its alert
service bulletin that bearings will be replaced at no cost. Including
the warranty coverage, the estimated total cost impact on U.S.
operators will be $173,354.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
[[Page 872]]
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the
substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made:
``Comments to Docket No. 2003-SW-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date
stamped and returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2004-01-10 Eurocopter Deutschland: Amendment 39-13424. Docket No.
2003-SW-21-AD.
Applicability: Model MBB-BK-117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1
helicopters with either:
(a) Tail rotor (TR) transmission, part number (P/N) 4639003001
or 4639003007, with serial number (S/N) 900 through 932 plus all S/
Ns overhauled or repaired after July 15, 2001, and bearing, P/N
4639310006, S/N 3246 through 3598; or
(b) Intermediate (INT) gearbox, P/N 4639002001 or 4639002005,
with S/N 902 through 928 plus all S/Ns overhauled or repaired after
July 15, 2001, and bearing, P/N 4639310006 with S/N 3246 through
3598.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent cracking, separation of the bearing cage, failure of
a bearing, failure of the TR transmission or INT gearbox, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Until you do paragraph (b) of this AD, before the first
flight of each day, inspect the magnetic plugs of the TR
transmission and INT gearbox for metal particles deposits by
reference to Figure 1 of this AD.
[[Page 873]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07JA04.004
(1) If you find a small amount of fine fuzz as shown in ``Pos.
A'' of Figure 1 of this AD, clean the magnetic plug and reinstall it
after ensuring that the O-ring is correctly positioned and there is
no other damage.
(2) If you find an amount of fuzz as depicted in ``Pos. B'' or
``Pos. C'' or metal chip(s) as depicted in ``Pos. D'' through ``Pos.
G'' or a combination of both fuzz and chips, do paragraph (b) of
this AD.
(b) No later than February 23, 2004, replace bearing, P/N
4639310006 with S/N 3246 through 3598, with an airworthy bearing or
replace the affected TR transmission or INT gearbox with an
airworthy TR transmission and INT gearbox that does not contain the
affected bearing.
(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
for information about previously approved alternative methods of
compliance.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on January 22, 2004.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(Federal Republic of Germany) AD 2003-161, dated April 29, 2003.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 31, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-267 Filed 1-6-04; 8:45 am]
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