[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