[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 192 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61983-61984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24957]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-ANE-37-AD; Amendment 39-12901; AD 2002-20-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Breeze Eastern Aerospace Rescue Hoists

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

DATES: Effective November 7, 2002. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of November 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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, by appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(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-
1200; telephone (516) 256-7512; fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to certain Breeze Eastern Aerospace rescue hoists was 
published in the Federal Register on June 20, 2002 (67 FR 43566). That 
action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the mounting 
brackets for cracks, and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable 
parts in accordance with Breeze Eastern Aerospace Customer Advisory 
Bulletin CAB-100-56, dated November 11, 1997.

Comments

    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.

Economic Analysis

    There are approximately 300 hoists of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 100 hoists installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD, that it 
would take approximately 2 work hours per hoist to accomplish the 
required 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 of the AD to U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$15,500.

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined 
in Executive Order 13132, because it 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication 
of this final rule.
    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 the 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 
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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

2002-20-05 Breeze Eastern Aerospace: Amendment 39-12901. Docket No. 
98-ANE-37-AD.
    Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable 
to Breeze Eastern Aerospace rescue hoists series BL-16600, excluding 
BL-16600-160. These hoists are installed on, but not limited to 
Augusta A109, Bell 206, Bell 222, Bell 407, Eurocopter France AS332, 
McDonnell Douglas MD-500, and Sikorsky S-61 helicopters.

    Note 1: This 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: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, 
unless already done.
    To prevent mounting bracket cracks, which could result in 
mounting bracket failure and separation of the rescue hoist from the 
helicopter, do the following:
    (a) Before 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 Customer Aerospace Advisory 
Bulletin CAB-100-56, dated November 11, 1997.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 (NYACO). Operators must 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 NYACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  21.197 and 21.199 of the

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Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate 
the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can 
be done.

Documents That Have Been Incorporated By Reference

    (d) The inspection must be done in accordance with Breeze 
Eastern Aerospace Customer Advisory Bulletin CAB-100-56, dated 
November 11, 1997.
    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Breeze Eastern Aerospace, 700 
Liberty Avenue, Union, NJ 07083; telephone (908) 686-4000; fax (908) 
686-9292. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 7, 2002.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 25, 2002.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-24957 Filed 10-2-02; 8:45 am]
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