[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68705-68707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33025]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-37-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Breeze Eastern Aerospace Rescue Hoists

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.


[[Page 68706]]


ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Breeze Eastern Aerospace 
rescue hoists. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the 
mounting brackets for cracks, and, if necessary, replacement with 
serviceable parts. This proposal is prompted by reports of cracked 
mounting brackets. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent mounting bracket cracks, which could result in 
mounting bracket failure and separation of the rescue hoist from the 
aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-37-AD, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent 
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain 
the docket number in the subject line. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Breeze Eastern Aerospace, 700 Liberty Avenue, Union, NJ 
07083; telephone (908) 686-4000, fax (908) 686-9292. This information 
may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Serge Napoleon, Aerospace Engineer, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581; 
telephone (516) 256-7512, fax (516) 568-2716.

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.
    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 Number 98-ANE-37-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, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-37-AD, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received reports of 
mounting bracket cracks on certain Breeze Eastern Aerospace rescue 
hoists series BL-16600, excluding BL-16600-160. The investigation 
revealed that the cracks were found on the outside radius of these 
brackets, not along the length of the angle bracket, but in the radial 
direction, i.e., transverse to the length, compromising their 
structural integrity. Those cracks resulted from the bending/forming of 
the brackets during the manufacturing process. The manufacturing 
process has since been changed. No loss of the rescue hoist nor of 
rescues have occurred to date. Since the rescue hoist is tied to the 
airframe through those two support brackets only, their failure could 
result in the loss of the rescue hoist. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in mounting bracket failure and separation of 
the rescue hoist from the aircraft.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Breeze 
Eastern Customer Advisory Bulletin CAB-100-56, dated November 11, 1997, 
that describes procedures for inspection of the mounting brackets for 
cracks.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the mounting 
brackets for cracks, and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable 
parts. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the SB described previously.
    There are approximately 300 hoists of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 100 hoists installed on 
aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 2 work hours per hoist to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $35 per hoist. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $15,500.
    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.

[[Page 68707]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Breeze Eastern Aerospace: Docket No. 98-ANE-37-AD.

    Applicability: Breeze Eastern Aerospace rescue hoists series BL-
16600, excluding BL-16600-160. These hoists are installed on but not 
limited to Bell 206, Bell 407, Bell 222, Agusta A109, Eurocopter 
France AS332, McDonnell Douglas MD-500, and Sikorsky S-61 
rotorcraft.

    Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each hoist 
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 request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with 
paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment 
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition 
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific 
proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent mounting bracket cracks, which could result in 
mounting bracket failure and separation of the rescue hoist from the 
aircraft, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the next usage of the rescue hoist after the 
effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection for 
mounting bracket cracks, and, if necessary, replace with serviceable 
parts, in accordance with Breeze Eastern Aerospace Advisory Bulletin 
CAB-100-56, dated November 11, 1997.
    (b) 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, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office. Operators shall submit their request through an appropriate 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the New York Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (c) 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 aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 7, 1998.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-33025 Filed 12-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P