[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17738-17740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9462]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-04-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Lucas Air Equipment Electric Hoists

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new AD that is 
applicable to Lucas Air Equipment electric hoists (hoists) installed 
on, but not limited to, all models of Eurocopter France SA-360 and SA-
365 helicopters. This proposal would require visually inspecting the 
cable for damage before the next hoist operation, blanking (plugging) 
the electronic control box upper vent, and performing an end-of-travel 
procedure during each hoist event. This proposal is prompted by several 
incidents of cable failures caused by dynamic overload on the winding-
up limit due to uncontrolled excessive speed of the cable, which is 
normally regulated by the automatic speed-reducing mechanism or the 
operator. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent breaking of the cable, which could become entangled with a main 
rotor or tail rotor blade, and result in damage or separation of a 
rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-04-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Carroll Wright, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, phone (817) 222-5120, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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.

[[Page 17739]]

    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. 98-SW-04-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. 98-SW-04-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model SA-360, SA-365, 
and SA 565 helicopters equipped with Lucas Air Equipment Electric 
hoists. Eurocopter France Model SA 565 is not type certificated for 
operation in the United States. The DGAC advises that several incidents 
caused by dynamic overload on the winding up limit due to uncontrolled 
excessive speed of the cable, which is normally regulated by the 
automatic speed-reducing mechanism or the operator, have been recorded 
in operation.
    Lucas Air Equipment has issued Lucas Air Equipment Service Telex 
61148-25-CW-01, Revision 1, dated April 26, 1994, which specifies 
visually inspecting the cable for damage before the next hoist 
operation, blanking (plugging) the electronic control box upper vent, 
and during each hoist event, performing an end-of-travel procedure. The 
DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 94-
116(AB)R1, dated May 21, 1997, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these hoists installed on helicopters in France.
    This hoist is installed on helicopter models manufactured in France 
and 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 DGAC has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the DGAC, 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 Eurocopter France SA-360 (all models) and SA-
365 (all models) helicopters equipped with electric hoists of the same 
design, the proposed AD would require visually inspecting the hoist 
cable for damage before the next hoist operation, blanking (plugging) 
the electronic control box upper vent, and performing an end-of-travel 
procedure during each hoist event. The end-of-travel procedure may be 
performed by an owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot 
certificate, and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
compliance with the applicable sections of this AD in accordance with 
sections 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v) of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
    The FAA estimates that 1 helicopter of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 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 $775. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $895 to replace 
the hoist and electronic control box.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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.

List 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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Lucas Air Equipment: Docket No. 98-SW-04-AD.

    Applicability: Electric hoists, part numbers (P/N) 76375-030, 
76375-130, 76378, and 76378-100, equipped with electronic control 
boxes, P/N 61148-001, 002, and 006, installed on, but not limited to 
all models of Eurocopter France SA-360 and SA-365 helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each electric hoist (hoist) equipped 
with an electronic control box (control box) identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For hoists that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (e) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any hoist or control box from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent breaking of the cable, which could become entangled 
with a main rotor or tail rotor blade, and result in damage or 
separation of a rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before the next hoist operation, visually inspect the cable 
for damage in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, and 
blank (plug) the electronic control box upper vent with a potting 
compound. If the control box has only one vent, install it with the 
vent hole in the lowest position.
    (b) Apply red paint to the hoist cable starting at 0.8 meter (m) 
and extending to the 3m point (31.5 inches to 118 inches) from the 
upper plate of the hook assembly.

    Note 2: Lucas Air Equipment Service Telex 61148-25-CW-01, 
Revision 01, dated April 26, 1994, pertains to the subject of this 
AD.


[[Page 17740]]


    (c) Thereafter, before each hoist operation, perform the end-of-
travel procedure as follows:
    (1) With approximately 3m of cable remaining before the hook 
assembly reaches the up-limit switch operating lever (upper end of 
red-painted cable), reduce the cable speed to approximately one-
third of the normal speed with the control knob. Release the control 
knob to the neutral position to stop the hook at a distance 
approximately 0.8m from the hoist up-limit switch operating lever 
(lower end of red-painted cable). Continue controlling the cable 
speed by exclusive use of the control on the pendant, making short 
and repetitive inputs until the hook reaches a position with 5 to 10 
centimeters (2 to 4 inches) between the upper plate of the hook 
assembly and the up-limit switch operating lever. After stopping the 
cable at that point, place the hook against the up-limit switch 
operating lever. The procedure required by this paragraph may be 
accomplished by an owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate, and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this paragraph in accordance with sections 
43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v) of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
    (2) If the hook comes fully home at an uncontrolled speed, or 
the hoist exhibits uncontrolled speed variation or absence of 
automatic speed reduction, remove the hoist assembly (hoist and 
control box) and replace it with an airworthy hoist assembly before 
any further hoist operation.
    (d) Installation of an electronic control box, P/N 61148-016 or 
P/N 61148-012, as applicable, with installation of a hoist, P/N 
76375-060, 76375-160, 76378-060, or 76378-160, is a terminating 
action for the requirements of this AD.
    (e) 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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 
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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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 Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 94-116(AB)R1, dated May 
21, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 3, 1998.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9462 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U