2016-12-13: Engine/Transmission Coupling--Coupling Tube, Engine Mount, and Engine Mount Base

Adoption of the Amendment 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: 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-05-17, Amendment 39-11627 (65 FR 13875, March 15, 2000); and AD 2001-04-12, Amendment 39-12131 (66 FR 13232, March 5, 2001); and 0 b. Adding the following new AD: 2016-12-13 Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-18562; Docket No. FAA-2014-0105; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-58-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model EC120B helicopters with an engine-to- main gearbox coupling tube assembly (coupling tube), part number (P/ N) C631A1101101 or P/N C631A1002101, installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a coupling tube. This condition could result in coupling tube failure, loss of engine drive, and a subsequent forced landing of the helicopter. (c) Affected ADs This AD supersedes AD 2000-05-17, Amendment 39-11627 (65 FR 13875, March 15, 2000) and AD 2001-04-12, Amendment 39-12131 (66 FR 13232, March 5, 2001). (d) Effective Date This AD becomes effective July 27, 2016. (e) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. (f) Required Actions (1) For helicopters with a serial number up to and including 1169, not modified with an improvement of the engine mount in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) No. 71-003, Revision 1, dated July 18, 2002 (SB 71-003), or not modified by installing a spring-type engine suspension system in accordance with Eurocopter SB No. 71-005, Revision 0, dated May 14, 2004 (SB 71- 005), before further flight: [[Page 40495]] (i) Remove from service the following engine mount parts: (A) Support arm, P/N C714A1107201; (B) Swaged support arm, P/N C714A1106201; (C) Left-hand support bracket, P/N C714A1101102; and (D) Right-hand support bracket, P/N C714A1101103. (ii) Measure the height of the engine mounting base as depicted in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert SB No. 04A005, Revision 0, dated July 16, 2003. If the height is more than 10.5 millimeters, replace the engine mount with an engine mount that does not have the parts identified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD. (2) For helicopters with a serial number 1170 and larger or helicopters modified with an improvement of the engine mount in accordance with SB 71-003: (i) Within 25 hours TIS, replace the spring-type engine suspension system and perform a dye-penetrant inspection of the flared coupling for a crack by following theAccomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.2.a through 2.B.2.c of SB 71-005. (ii) If there is a crack in the flared coupling, before further flight, replace the coupling with an airworthy coupling. (3) For helicopters with coupling tube, P/N C631A1002101, installed, before further flight, remove coupling tube, P/N C631A1002101, from service. Do not install coupling tube, P/N C631A1002101, on any helicopter. (g) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued provided there are no cracks in the coupling tube attachment fitting. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222- 5110; email [email protected]. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. (i) Additional Information (1) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A003, Revision 2, dated July 16, 2003; Eurocopter ASB No. 05A003, Revision 3, dated May 11, 2004; and Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 71-003, Revision 1, dated July 18, 2002; which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the subject of this final rule. For Eurocopter service information identified in this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641- 3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC) AD No. F-2003-325 R1, Revision 1, dated May 12, 2004. You may view the DGAC AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0105. (j) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6310, Engine/ Transmission Coupling--Coupling Tube, Engine Mount, and Engine Mount Base. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 04A005, Revision 0, dated July 16, 2003. (ii) Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 71-005, Revision 0,dated May 14, 2004. (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N- 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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.