[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59780-59781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29238]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-SW-23-AD; Amendment 39-10195; AD 97-23-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 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.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117
A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters, that establishes a new
retirement life for the clutch and requires an entry into the Accessory
Replacement Record indicating the new life limit. This amendment is
prompted by a recalculation of life limitations by the part
manufacturer, Warner Electric. The clutch manufacturer used the
airframe load spectrum to establish the new life limit of 3,600 hours
time-in-service (TIS). The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent failure of the clutch, loss of power to the main rotor and a
subsequent forced landing of the helicopter.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 10, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lance T. Gant, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5114, fax (817)
222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
(Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1
helicopters was published in the Federal Register on February 4, 1997
(62 FR 5186). That action proposed to establish a new retirement life
for the clutch and to require an entry into the Accessory Replacement
Record indicating the new life limit.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comment received.
The one commenter asked for a delay in the issuance of this AD
until Warner Electric established a new retirement life on the affected
clutch. The commenter indicated that an extended retirement life would
be prepared by the clutch manufacturer by the end of May, 1997. To
date, the FAA has received no further information about an extension to
the retirement life of the clutch.
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for some
non-substantive word changes, insertion of Note 3 referencing the
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) AD, and correction of the part number in
paragraph (b). The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
this AD.
The FAA estimates that 130 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 work hours per
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$6,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $873,600.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
AD 97-23-07 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-10195. Docket
No. 96-SW-23-AD.
Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, and B-2
helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 7001 through 7250, and Model MBB-
BK 117 C-1 helicopters, S/N 7500 through 7520, with clutch, part
number (P/N) 4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1, installed, certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability
[[Page 59781]]
provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or
repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For
helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that
the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the
owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (d) to
request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any
modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter from the
applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the clutch, loss of power to the main
rotor and a subsequent forced landing of the helicopter, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD, make an entry into the Accessory Replacement Record
to reflect a new life limit of 3,600 hours TIS for the clutch, P/N
4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1.
(b) Remove the clutch, P/N 4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1, from
service on or before reaching 3,600 hours TIS. This AD revises the
Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual by
establishing a new retirement life for the clutch, P/N 4639302044 or
P/N CL42067-1, of 3,600 hours TIS.
(c) Replacement of the clutch, P/N 4639302044 or P/N CL42067-1,
with a clutch, P/N 4639202011, constitutes a terminating action for
the requirements of this AD.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 10, 1997.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (Germany) AD 95-242, dated June 13, 1995.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29238 Filed 11-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
