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Legal Status
Proposed Rule
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 Helicopters
A Proposed Rule by the Federal Aviation Administration on 02/04/2000
Document Details
Information about this document as published in the Federal Register.
- Printed version:
- Publication Date:
- 02/04/2000
- Agencies:
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Dates:
- Comments must be received on or before April 4, 2000.
- Comments Close:
- 04/04/2000
- Document Type:
- Proposed Rule
- Document Citation:
- 65 FR 5453
- Page:
- 5453-5455 (3 pages)
- CFR:
- 14 CFR 39
- Agency/Docket Number:
- Docket No. 99-SW-73-AD
- Document Number:
- 00-2402
Document Details
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- AGENCY:
- ACTION:
- SUMMARY:
- DATES:
- ADDRESSES:
- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Start Printed Page 5454
- Comments Invited
- Availability of NPRMs
- Discussion
- List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
- The Proposed Amendment
- PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
- Compliance: Required within 6 calendar months, unless accomplished previously.
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Published Document
This document has been published in the Federal Register. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format.
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters. This proposal would require modifying the engine and transmission cowling doors (cowling doors). This proposal is prompted by an emergency landing of an ECD Model MBB-BK 117 helicopter after the No. 1 engine cowling opened, separated from the helicopter, and struck the main and tail rotor blades resulting in a tail rotor imbalance and subsequent departure of the tail rotor gear box from the helicopter. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the cowling doors opening during flight, separating from the helicopter and impacting the main or tail rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES:
Comments must be received on or before April 4, 2000.
ADDRESSES:
Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-73-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9 a.m. and 3 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, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard A. Monschke, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5116, fax (817) 222-5961.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Start Printed Page 5454
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 No. 99-SW-73-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 Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-73-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), the airworthiness authority for the Federal Republic of Germany, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on ECD Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters. The LBA advises that the cowling doors should be modified to install a hook on each cowling door and install the respective hook retainers on the engine floor and on the transmission floor.
ECD has issued Service Bulletin No. MBB-BK 117-20-109, Revision 2, dated April 30, 1999 (SB), which specifies modifying the cowling doors by installing a hook on each cowling door and installing the respective hook retainers on the engine and transmission floor to prevent cowling doors opening fully during flight. The LBA has classified the ECD SB as mandatory and issued AD No. 1999-302, dated September 23, 1999, 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 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 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 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 ECD Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 of the same type designs registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require modifying the cowling doors to prevent the cowling doors from opening during flight. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
The FAA estimates that 140 helicopters of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 28 work hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1620 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $462,000.
The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
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.
Start List of SubjectsList 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:
Start PartPART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Start AuthorityAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
End Authority2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows:
Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH: Docket No. 99-SW-73-AD.
Applicability: Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters, serial numbers 7001 through 7253 and 7500 through 7523, with transmission door cowling, left hand, part number (P/N) 117-23206-51 or 117-233731, right hand, P/N 117-23206-52 or 117-233741, and engine door cowling left hand, P/N 117-23303-51 or 117-23303-53, right hand, P/N 117-23303-52 or 117-23303-54, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1:
This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required within 6 calendar months, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent the engine and transmission cowling doors (cowling doors) opening during flight, separating from the helicopter and impacting the main or tail rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the cowling doors in accordance with paragraph 2.B., Work Procedure, and Start Printed Page 54552.C., Conclusions, of Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Service Bulletin SB-MBB-BK 117-20-109, Revision 2, dated April 30, 1999 (SB).
Note 2:
Adjustment and functional testing of the hook system in accordance with paragraph 2.B.8 of the SB is critical after installation.
(b) 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, Regulations Group, 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, Regulations Group.
Note 3:
Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Regulations Group.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 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.
Note 4:
The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (the Federal Republic of Germany) AD No. 1999-302, dated September 23, 1999.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 26, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2402 Filed 2-3-00; 8:45 am]
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