[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44137-44139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17265]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0042; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-26-AD;
Amendment 39-15614; AD 2008-15-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Model MBB-
BK 117C-2 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117C-2
helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The European Aviation Safety Agency for the Republic of
Germany, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:
During inadvertent operation of the fire extinguishing system,
in one case it occurred that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the
ability of the fire extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress an engine
fire creates an unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to correct the
unsafe condition by further securing the injection tubes with improved
clamps, allowing suppression of a contained engine fire, and subsequent
loss of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 3, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 3,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
You can get the service information identified in this AD from
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Strasburger, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5167, fax (817) 222-
5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 23, 2008 (73
FR 3885). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
During inadvertent operation of the fire extinguishing system,
in one case it occurred that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the
ability of the fire extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress an engine
fire creates an unsafe condition. The proposed actions are intended to
address this unsafe condition by further securing the injection tubes
with improved clamps, allowing suppression of a contained engine fire,
and preventing an uncontained engine fire and subsequent loss of the
helicopter.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
[[Page 44138]]
general, agree with their substance. However, we did change ``flight
hours'' referred to in the MCAI to ``hours time-in-service'' in our AD.
In making this change, we do not intend to differ substantively from
the information provided in the MCAI. This difference is highlighted in
the ``Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI'' section in this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 26 helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 3.5 work-hours per
helicopter to replace the clamps on the injection tubes. The average
labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $20 per
helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to
U.S. operators to be $7,800 or $300 per helicopter.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
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. 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2008-15-02 Eurocopter Deutschland: Amendment 39-15614. Docket No.
FAA-2008-0042; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-26-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on
September 3, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117C-2 helicopters, Serial
Number (S/N) 9004 through S/N 9104, and S/N 9106, 9107, and 9111,
with a fire extinguishing system B26K1002-801, B262K1003-801, or
B262K1004-801, installed, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
During inadvertent operation of the fire extinguishing system,
in one case it occurred that one of the two injection tubes became
disconnected. This condition, if not corrected, could affect the
ability of the fire extinguishing system to perform its intended
function in the case of activation.
The inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress an engine
fire creates an unsafe condition. The proposed actions are intended
to address this unsafe condition by further securing the injection
tubes with improved clamps, allowing suppression of a contained
engine fire, and preventing an uncontained engine fire and
subsequent loss of the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) At the next 100 hours time-in-service inspection, unless
already done, replace the current injection tube clamps by
installing GBS clamps, part number GBSM24/18W4SK, by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph A., and Figure 1 of
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB BK117 C-2-26A-001, dated
January 22, 2007.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) The FAA refers to the compliance time by hours time-in-
service rather than flight hours as referred to in the MCAI.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code JASC 262
Extinguishing System.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: John
Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111,
telephone (817) 222-5167, fax (817) 222-5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(i) MCAI Airworthiness Directive No. 2007-0121, dated May 3,
2007, contains related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB
BK117 C-2-26A-001, dated January 22, 2007 under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51.
(k) For the service information identified in this AD, contact
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
[[Page 44139]]
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527.
(l) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 5, 2008.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-17265 Filed 7-29-08; 8:45 am]
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