[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50345-50346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19488]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 67 , No. 149 / Friday, August 2, 2002 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 50345]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-50-AD; Amendment 39-12838; AD 2002-15-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC120B, EC 
155B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS350B, 
AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 
AS355F2, AS355N, AS365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-365N, and SA-365N1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. This AD requires 
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 amendment is 
prompted by the discovery of a defect on certain cargo hooks that may 
prevent load release. The actions specified by this 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: Effective September 6, 2002.

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: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for specified ECF model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on April 10, 2002 (67 FR 17306). That action proposed 
to 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).

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.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed except for a minor change. In 
paragraph (a) of the AD, we moved the parenthetical phrase ``(see 
Figure 1)'' to the end of the paragraph, removed the parenthesis, and 
added a colon. These changes will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD .
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 725 helicopters of U.S. 
registry and will take approximately \1/4\ work hour to determine the 
serial number of the part, 1 work hour to measure the gap between the 
locking catch and the cargo hook for an estimated 50 helicopters, and 1 
work 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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$64,475 assuming 10 cargo hooks require replacement.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:


[[Page 50346]]


2002-15-08  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12838. Docket No. 2001-
SW-50-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC120B, EC155B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, 
AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, 
AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS-365N2, 
AS 365 N3, 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'' is equal to or greater than 14 
millimeters (0.55 inches). See Figure 1:
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    (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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on September 6, 2002.

    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 July 24, 2002.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, , Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-19488 Filed 8-1-02; 8:45 am]
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