[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79950-79952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31960]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1253; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-084-AD;
Amendment 39-16550; AD 2010-26-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman)
Model K-1200 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters. This AD requires revising the
Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
(ICA) by establishing a life limit of 8,000 hours time-in-service (TIS)
for each main rotor blade (blade) set. Also, this AD requires removing
each blade set from service if it has accumulated 8,000 or more hours
time-in-service (TIS). This AD also requires replacing certain blade
sets with airworthy blade sets at specified intervals based on the
blade set serial number (S/N). This AD was prompted by an accident and
the subsequent discovery of cracks in multiple blade spars. We are
issuing this AD to prevent blade failure and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective on January 5, 2011.
We must receive comments on this AD by February 22, 2011.
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.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Kaman
Aerospace Corporation, K-max Product Support Center, Building 33, P.O.
Box 2, 1332 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 06002, telephone (860)
242-4461.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Office (telephone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt. You may review copies of the referenced service information at
the FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX
76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Faust, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive
Park; telephone: (781) 238-7763; fax: (781) 238-7170; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We are adopting a new AD for the Kaman Model K-1200 helicopters
that requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the ICA
by establishing a life limit of 8,000 hours TIS for each blade set.
Previously, these blades sets did not have an established retirement
life but had specified overhaul intervals. This AD also requires
removing each blade set with 8,000 or more hours TIS from service.
Also, this AD requires replacing certain blade sets with airworthy
blade sets at specified intervals based on the blade set S/N. This AD
was prompted by an accident and the subsequent discovery of cracks in
multiple blade spars. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
a cracked spar, failure of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Kaman Service Bulletin No. 131, Rotor Blade Service
Life Reduction, dated August 11, 2010 (SB). The SB specifies
establishing ``a service life of K-1200 rotor blade spar bondment
(K911004) to 8,000 hours time since new (TSN)'' and removing all blade
sets with over 8,000 hours TIS.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of this same type
design.
[[Page 79951]]
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before further flight, revising the Airworthiness
Limitations section of the ICA by establishing a life limit of 8,000
hours TIS for each affected blade set. This AD requires replacing the
specified blade sets with airworthy blade sets at various intervals
depending on TIS. Based on the individualized data from those operators
with the affected serial-numbered blade sets, those serial numbered
blade sets with the highest hours TIS are required to be replaced
sooner than those with less hours TIS.
Differences Between the AD and the Service Information
This AD requires, before further flight, revising the Airworthiness
Limitations section of the ICA to establish a life limit of 8,000 hours
TIS for each blade set. Also, this AD requires replacing certain blade
sets with airworthy blade sets at specified intervals based on the
blade S/N.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA finds that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adopting this rule because cracks
have been found in the blade spars during an investigation in response
to an accident. Due to the number of hours TIS of the fleet, some of
the blade sets may have exceeded 8,000 hours TIS and the blade sets may
be required to be replaced before further flight. Therefore, we find
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less
than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2010-1253 and
Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-084-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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 14 helicopters of U.S. registry.
The Kaman Model K-1200 helicopter is unique in that each helicopter has
2 sets of 2 blades, a total of 4 blades per helicopter. Some
helicopters only require one set of blades to be replaced.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost helicopter operators
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Replace blade set (2 blades).... 4 work-hours x $85 $198,751 per blade $199,091 per blade $1,393,637,
per hour = $340 set. set. assuming 7 blade
per blade set. sets are
replaced.
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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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2010-26-11 Kaman Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-16550; Docket
No. FAA-2010-1253; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-084-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD is effective on January 5, 2011.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model K-1200 helicopters.
[[Page 79952]]
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by an accident and the subsequent
discovery of cracks in the main rotor blade (blade) spars. We are
issuing this AD to prevent blade failure and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
Compliance
(e) Before further flight, unless already done:
(1) Revise the Limitations section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by establishing a life limit of 8,000 hours
time-in-service (TIS) for each blade set Remove each blade set with
8,000 or more hours TIS.
(2) Replace each specified serial-numbered blade set with an
airworthy blade set in accordance with the following table:
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Blade-set Serial No. Replace within
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101, 403, 408, 409, 411, and 415.......... 400 hours TIS.
417 and 419............................... 700 hours TIS.
405....................................... 1000 hours TIS.
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Subject
(f) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Code: 6210 Main Rotor Blades.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the
person identified in the ``Additional Information'' section of this
AD.
Note: Before using any approved AMOC, we request that you
notify your principal inspector or if you have no principal
inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
Additional Information
(h) For more information about this AD, contact Nicholas Faust,
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12
New England Executive Park; telephone: 781-283-7763; fax: 781-238-
7170; e-mail: [email protected].
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 14, 2010.
Bruce Cain,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31960 Filed 12-20-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P