[Federal Register: February 20, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 34)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9181-9183]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20fe08-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0165; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-58-AD;
Amendment 39-15377; AD 2008-04-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland Model EC135
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Eurocopter Deutschland (Eurocopter) Model EC135 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 (EASA), the Technical Agent for the Federal
Republic of Germany, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states
in the MCAI:
During a flight a burning odour [sic] could be smelled in the
cabin. Its reason was a short circuit in the LH cable channel, which
was caused by a damaged wire harness. The wire harness was damaged
by the side channel cover's attachment hardware.
The rubbing and chafing of the wiring harnesses in the tunnels
underneath the channel cover, against the screws and rivets attaching
the channel covers, could lead to a short circuit of the wiring
harness.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe
condition by preventing a short circuit resulting from a damaged wiring
harness, which could subsequently lead to a fire in the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 6, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-53A-1017, Revision
1, dated June 22, 2007, as of March 6, 2008.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 21, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may 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.
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 this AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5120, fax (817) 222-
5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the technical
agent for Member States of the European Community, has issued an MCAI
in the form of EASA Emergency AD No. 2007-0021-E, dated January 19,
2007, (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for this German-certificated helicopter. The MCAI states:
During a flight a burning odour [sic] could be smelled in the
cabin. Its reason was a short circuit in the LH cable channel, which
was caused by a damaged wire harness. The wire harness was damaged
by the side channel cover's attachment hardware.
The rubbing and chafing of the wiring harnesses in the tunnels
underneath the channel cover, against the screws and rivets attaching
the channel covers, could lead to a short circuit of the wiring harness
and a subsequent fire in the helicopter.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and
service information in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. EC135-53A-017,
Revision 1, dated June 22, 2007. The actions described in the MCAI are
intended to correct the same unsafe condition as
[[Page 9182]]
that identified in the service information.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the
Federal Republic of Germany and is approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design,
we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. This AD differs from the MCAI as
follows:
We do not require contacting the manufacturer for further
instructions if a wiring harness is damaged but require that you
replace a damaged wiring harness with an airworthy wiring harness.
We do not require a February 28, 2007, compliance time
because that date has passed.
We include in the applicability the helicopter serial
number (S/N) 0005 up to and including S/N 0576 as stated in the service
information rather than the helicopter S/N 0005 up to and including
0654 as stated in the MCAI.
We refer to the compliance time as ``hours time-in-
service'' rather than ``flight hours.''
These differences are highlighted in the ``Differences Between the
FAA AD and the MCAI'' section in the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 156 helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take 5 hours to inspect a
helicopter with a copilot collective lever cover and 4 hours to inspect
a helicopter without a copilot collective lever cover. The average
labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $400
for a helicopter with a copilot collective lever cover and $320 for a
helicopter without a copilot collective lever cover. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost to be $124,800, assuming all the
helicopters have a copilot collective lever cover.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a
short circuit and fire could occur from a damaged wiring harness. Each
wiring harness must be inspected within a short period of time, 25
hours time-in-service, for chafing and wear and modified as necessary
to prevent a fire from occurring in the helicopter. Therefore, we
determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before
issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0165; Directorate
Identifier 2007-SW-58-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
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.
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:
2008-04-05 Eurocopter Deutschland: Amendment 39-15377. Docket No.
FAA-2008-0165; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-58-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on March
6, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model EC135 helicopters, serial number
0005 up to and including 0576, certificated in any category.
[[Page 9183]]
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code: 5321,
Frame; and 1497, Miscellaneous wiring.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
During a flight a burning odour [sic] could be smelled in the
cabin. Its reason was a short circuit in the LH cable channel, which
was caused by a damaged wire harness. The wire harness was damaged
by the side channel cover's attachment hardware.
The rubbing and chafing of the wiring harnesses in the tunnels
underneath the channel cover, against the screws and rivets
attaching the channel covers, could lead to a short circuit of the
wiring harness and a subsequent fire in the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless already done,
do the following:
(1) Inspect the wiring harnesses for chafing and wear in the
areas shown in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC135-
53A-017, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2007 (ASB).
(i) If chafing or wear is found on the wiring harness, before
further flight, replace the wiring harness with an airworthy wiring
harness.
(ii) If no chafing or wear is found, modify the side channel
covers by affixing double-sided adhesive tape in the area depicted
in Figure 2 of the ASB by following the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph C, of the ASB.
(2) Modify the attachment of the copilot collective lever cover
as depicted in Figure 3 of the ASB by following the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph D, of the ASB.
(3) Attach chafing protection to the wiring harnesses and
replace affected screws as depicted in and in accordance with Figure
4 of the ASB and by following the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraphs E and F, of the ASB. Paragraph F(2) of the ASB applies
only to helicopters with a copilot collective lever cover.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(g) This AD differs from the MCAI as follows:
(1) We do not require contacting the manufacturer for further
instructions if a wiring harness is damaged but require that you
replace a damaged wiring harness with an airworthy wiring harness.
(2) We do not require a February 28, 2007, compliance time
because that date has passed.
(3) We have used the helicopter S/N 0005 up to and including S/N
0576 as stated in the service information rather than the helicopter
S/N 0005 up to and including 0654 as stated in the MCAI.
(4) We refer to the compliance time as ``hours TIS'' rather than
``flight hours.''
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, 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: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5120, 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) Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
Emergency Airworthiness Directive No. 2007-0021-E, dated January 19,
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
EC135-53A-017, Revision 1, dated June 22, 2007, under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(k) For the Eurocopter service information identified in this
AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527.
(l) You may review copies of the Eurocopter 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 February 6, 2008.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-2850 Filed 2-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P