[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 16, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65749-65750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32720]
[[Page 65749]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-44-AD; Amendment 39-10245; AD 97-26-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model
BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 Helicopters
and Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) (Eurocopter
Deutschland) Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-
105LS A-3 helicopters; and Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model BO-105LS A-3
helicopters. This action requires visual inspections for cracks in the
ribbed area of the main rotor mast flange (flange). This amendment is
prompted by a report of an operator discovering a crack in the flange
after experiencing in-flight vibrations. The actions specified in this
AD are intended to detect cracks in the flange, which, if not detected,
could result in failure of the flange and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
DATES: Effective December 31, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 31, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-44-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. This
information may be examined at the FAA, Office of Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Monschke, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5116, fax
(817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the
airworthiness authority for the Federal Republic of Germany recently
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter
Deutschland Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS
A-3 helicopters. The Federal Republic of Germany advises that a main
rotor mast was found to have cracks of critical magnitude in the area
of the flange. Additionally, Transport Canada, the airworthiness
authority for Canada, recently notified the FAA that the same unsafe
condition may exist on Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Model B0-105LS A-3
helicopters. The cause of the cracks is under investigation. Until the
cause of the crack has been determined, the flange must be subjected to
an immediate inspection and repetitive visual crack inspection at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service until further notice.
Eurocopter Deutschland has issued Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Alert
Service Bulletin No. ASB-BO 105-10-110, dated August 27, 1997, which
specifies visually inspecting the area of the holes on the underside of
the flange for cracks, especially in the ribbed area between the holes.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 97-
275, dated September 25, 1997, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Eurocopter Canada Ltd. has issued Eurocopter Canada Ltd. Alert Service
Bulletin No. ASB-BO 105 LS-10-9, dated September 11, 1997, for similar
inspection. Transport Canada has classified this service bulletin
mandatory and issued AD CF-97-18, dated September 30, 1997, in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.
This helicopter model is manufactured in the Federal Republic of
Germany and Canada and is type certificated for operation in the United
States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness
agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA
and Transport Canada have kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA and
Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Eurocopter Deutschland Model BO-105A, BO-
105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters and
Eurocopter Canada Ltd. BO-105LS A-3 helicopters of the same type
designs registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to
detect cracks in the flange, which, if not detected, could result in
failure of the flange and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
The flange is a part of the main rotor mast assembly and therefore a
critical component of the flight control system. Due to the criticality
of the flange to the continued safe flight of the affected helicopters,
and the required inspection before further flight, this rule must be
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in the affected
helicopters. This AD requires, before further flight, a visual
inspection of the ribbed area of the flange for cracks using a 5-power
or higher magnifying glass, and thereafter, repeated visual inspections
at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service. The actions are
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins
described previously.
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.
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.
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
[[Page 65750]]
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, both before and after the closing date for comments, 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 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. 97-SW-44-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
97-26-02 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) and Eurocopter Canada
LTD.: Amendment 39-10245. Docket No. 97-SW-44-AD.
Applicability: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-
105C, BO-105S, BO-105LS A-1, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters and
Eurocopter Canada Ltd. BO-105LS A-3 helicopters, certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability 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 (c) 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 detect cracks in the main rotor mast flange (flange), which,
if not detected, could result in failure of the flange and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 100 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the flange in the
ribbed area for cracks using a 5-power or higher magnifying glass in
accordance with paragraphs 2.A.1. and 2.A.2. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH Alert Service Bulletin
No. ASB-BO 105-10-110, dated August 27, 1997, or Eurocopter Canada
Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-BO 105 LS-10-9, dated September 11,
1997, as applicable.
(b) If a crack is found, remove the cracked main rotor mast and
replace it with an airworthy main rotor mast.
(c) 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.
(d) Special flight permits will not be issued.
(e) The inspection shall be done in accordance with Eurocopter
Deutschland GmbH Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-BO 105-10-110, dated
August 27, 1997, or Eurocopter Canada Alert Service Bulletin No.
ASB-BO 105 LS-10-9, dated September 11, 1997, as applicable. These
incorporations by reference were approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation,
2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972)
641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Office of Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 31, 1997.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (Germany) AD 97-275, dated September 25, 1997, and in
Transport Canada AD CF-97-18, dated September 30, 1997.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 5, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32720 Filed 12-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
