[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52898-52899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20517]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-26-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B 
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 Eurocopter France (ECF) Model EC 155B helicopters. This 
proposal would require inspecting and adjusting, if necessary, the 
position of the locking pins on each pilot, co-pilot, and passenger-
hinged and sliding door (door) initially and each time a door is 
replaced. This proposal is prompted by two reports of inadvertent 
opening of the passenger-hinged doors in flight due to improper 
adjustment of the door-locking mechanism. The actions specified by this 
proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of a door in flight, contact 
with the main rotor or tail rotor, and subsequent loss of helicopter 
control.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-SW-26-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: Richard Monschke, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5116, 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. 2002-SW-26-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on ECF Model EC 155B helicopters. The DGAC advises 
of two reports of the passenger-hinged doors opening in flight. The 
investigation revealed noncompliant installation and adjustment of the 
door-locking mechanism, which can result in the door unlocking and a 
risk of losing the door in flight.
    ECF has issued Alert Telex 52-A008, dated March 11, 2002, which 
specifies checking and adjusting the position of each door's locking 
pins to prevent the door opening in flight. The DGAC classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD No. 2002-186-005(A), dated 
April 3, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters in France.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is 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 this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting and, if necessary, 
adjusting the door-locking mechanism initially and each time a door is 
replaced. Replacing a door is not expected during the life of the 
rotorcraft except in extremely rare instances where a door may be 
damaged from an outside source. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin

[[Page 52899]]

described previously except compliance with the caution and reporting 
requirements are not mandatory. In addition, the FAA considers shimming 
by the addition of washers as a permanent repair.
    The FAA estimates that 2 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $480.
    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. 2002-SW-26-AD.
    Applicability: Model EC 155B helicopters, 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 within 25 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously, and each time a pilot, co-pilot, or 
passenger hinged or sliding (door) is replaced.
    To prevent loss of a door in flight and subsequent loss of 
helicopter control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect and adjust, if necessary, the position of each 
door's locking pins in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2., of Eurocopter France Alert Telex No. 52-
A008, dated March 11, 2002 (Telex), except you are not required to 
comply with the caution and with the reporting requirements of the 
Telex, and you may consider shimming by washers a permanent repair.
    (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 may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2002-186-005(A), dated 
April 3, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 5, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20517 Filed 8-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P