[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 10, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17306-17308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8596]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-50-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC120B, EC155B, 
SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS350B, 
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 
AS355F2, AS355N, AS365N2, AS365N3, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters. That 
proposal would require determining the load release unit (cargo hook) 
serial number, measuring the clearance between the locking catch and 
the cargo hook, and removing unairworthy cargo hooks from service. This 
proposal is prompted by the discovery of a defect on certain cargo 
hooks that may prevent load release. The actions specified by this

[[Page 17307]]

proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a cargo hook to release 
a load, creating an additional hazard in an emergency situation and 
subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 10, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-50-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically 
to the Rules Docket at the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments may be inspected at the Office of the Regional Counsel between 
9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5490, 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 will 
be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals 
contained in this document 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 mailed 
comments submitted in response to this proposal must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-SW-50-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. 2001-SW-50-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on various ECF model helicopters. The DGAC advises 
of the discovery of an anomaly on the locking catch of certain cargo 
hooks that could jam the ring on the cargo hook and jeopardize the 
release of an underslung load.
    ECF has issued Alert Telexes 01.00.47, 01.00.49, 01.00.53, 
01.00.60, 01.00.66, 04A001, and 04A004, dated July 10, 2001, which 
specify measuring the clearance between the locking catch and the cargo 
hook and the acceptable dimension of the ring. The telexes state that 
the clearance, as illustrated in their Figure 1, must be less than 14 
millimeters (mm) (0.55 inches). The DGAC classified these telexes as 
mandatory and issued AD 2001-318(A), dated July 25, 2001, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these helicopters in France.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the 
applicable bilateral 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 these type designs that are certificated 
for operation in the United States.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type designs registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require, before the next flight 
utilizing the cargo hook, measuring the clearance between the locking 
catch and the cargo hook, and removing any cargo hook from service if 
that clearance is equal to or greater than 14mm (0.55 inches).
    The FAA estimates that 725 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. The FAA estimates that it would take 
approximately 1/4 work hour to determine the serial number of the part, 
1 hour to measure the gap between the locking catch and the cargo hook 
for an estimated 50 helicopters, and 1 hour to remove and replace each 
of an estimated 10 cargo hooks. The average labor rate is estimated to 
be $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $5,000. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $64,475 assuming 10 cargo hooks 
require replacement.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

Eurocopter France: Docket No. 2001-SW-50-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC120B, EC 155B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, 
AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, 
AS350B3, AS350D,

[[Page 17308]]

AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS-365N2, AS-365N3, SA-
365N, and SA-365N1 helicopters, with a SIREN load release unit 
(cargo hook), part number (P/N) AS21-5-1 through -7, and a cargo 
hook serial number less than 415, installed, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters 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 before the next flight utilizing the cargo 
hook, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of a cargo hook, inability to release a load 
creating an additional hazard in an emergency situation, and 
subsequent loss of control of a helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) With the cargo hook in the no-load position, measure the 
clearance ``J'' in accordance with Figure 1 of this AD. Remove any 
cargo hook if clearance ``J'' (see Figure 1) is equal to or greater 
than 14 millimeters (0.55 inches).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP10AP02.020

    (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, Regulations Group, 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, Regulations Group.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (c) Special flight permits will not be issued allowing use of 
the affected cargo hook.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile, (France) AD 2001-318(A), dated July 
25, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 2, 2002.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-8596 Filed 4-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U