[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]
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