[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22626]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 13, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model
MBB-BK 117 Series Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD)
Model MBB-BK 117 series helicopters. This proposal would require a
modification of the latches on the transmission and engine cowlings
access doors. This proposal is prompted by five occurrences of an
engine or transmission cowling access door becoming loose in flight.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the
transmission and engine cowling access doors from opening in flight,
being struck by the main rotor blade, and subsequently, separating from
the helicopter and being ingested by the main rotor or tail rotor
system resulting in a loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 14, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137-4298. Comments may be inspected at this location between
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Samuel E. Brodie, Aerospace
Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5116, fax
(817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-SW-06-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137-4298.
Discussion
This notice proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive
(AD), that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model
MBB-BK 117 series helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 7001 through 7201.
Since 1986, there have been five reports of the engine or transmission
cowling access doors opening in flight which, in several cases,
resulted in damage to the main rotor blades.
The FAA has reviewed and approved MBB-Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK 117-20-104, Revision 1, dated December 8, 1989,
that describes procedures for removing and modifying various latches of
the access doors of the transmission and engine cowlings, installing
new locks, and providing the cowlings, firewalls, and fuselage with
appropriate mating components. Transmission and engine cowlings that
open in flight can damage the rotor systems and, therefore, create an
unsafe condition.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other ECD Model MBB-BK 117 helicopters of the same
type design, the proposed AD would require replacing the current
latches with those having positive locks, relocating certain latches,
and installing additional locks on the transmission and engine cowling
access doors within the next 150 hours time-in-service. The actions
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service
bulletin described previously.
The FAA estimates that 126 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 45 work
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $624 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$390,474.
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD): Docket No. 94-SW-06-AD.
Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 helicopters, serial numbers 7001
through 7201, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the transmission and engine cowling access doors from
opening in flight, being struck by the main rotor blade, and
subsequently, separating from the helicopter and being ingested by
the main rotor or tail rotor system resulting in a loss of control
of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 150 hours time-in-service, remove the left
hand and right hand transmission and engine cowlings without
removing the transmission and engine cowling access doors that are
installed on the transmission and engine cowlings, and modify the
access door latches in accordance with the Work Procedure contained
in the Accomplishment Instructions of MBB-Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK 117-20-104, Revision 1, dated December 8, 1989.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used when approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate. 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: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulation (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 6, 1994.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22626 Filed 9-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
