[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68505-68506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28410]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-26-AD; Amendment 39-12942; AD 2002-22-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters that requires 
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 amendment 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 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: Effective December 17, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 17, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for ECF Model EC 155B helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on August 14, 2002 (67 FR 52898). That action proposed 
to 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.
    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.
    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.

[[Page 68506]]

    The FAA estimates that 2 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480.
    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 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:

2002-22-15 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12942. 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, contact with the main rotor 
or tail rotor, 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.
    (d) Inspecting and adjusting the position of the door's locking 
mechanism shall be done in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Eurocopter France Alert Telex No. 52-A008, dated 
March 11, 2002. 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 American Eurocopter 
Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, 
telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 17, 2002.

    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 October 28, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-28410 Filed 11-8-02; 8:45 am]
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