[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9503-9504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4475]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 40 / Friday, February 28, 2003 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 9503]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-47-AD; Amendment 39-13062; AD 2003-04-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA341G and 
SA342J Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France (Eurocoper) Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This 
action requires modifying an electric hoist (hoist) junction box 
(junction box). This amendment is prompted by the discovery of an 
anomaly affecting the resistor that is located in the junction box. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
hoist emergency load jettison switch, resulting in an inability of the 
pilot to cut the rescue hoist cable in the event of cable entanglement 
or other emergency and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective March 17, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 17, 2003.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-SW-47-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].
    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: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5120, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter Model SA341G and SA342J 
helicopters with a 300 lb. hoist manufactured by Breeze. The helicopter 
is fitted with a hoist junction box, part number (P/N) 341A63-1103-00. 
The DGAC advises of the discovery of an anomaly affecting the current-
limiting resistor located in the junction box, which results in 
insufficient current intensity and can cause failure of the emergency 
jettison control squib percussion to operate. The unmodified hoist 
electric junction box is designed to generate 2 amperes for the hoist 
cable cut percussion squib. The Breeze 300 lb. hoist requires a minimum 
of 10 amperes to activate the cable cut percussion squib. This AD will 
modify the limiting resistor in the hoist electric junction box and 
result in a percussion squib activation current of 18 amperes.
    Eurocopter has issued Alert Telex No. 45.05, dated July 8, 2002, 
which specifies modifying the control unit of the hoist. The DGAC 
classified this alert telex as mandatory and issued AD 2002-370-043(A), 
dated July 24, 2002, 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. The DGAC recommended modifying the 
junction box for helicopters with Breeze or TRW (or Lucas or Air 
Equipment) hoists installed. However, the unmodified junction box 
functions properly with the TRW (Lucas or Air Equipment) hoists and the 
FAA does not propose to modify the junction box for helicopters with 
TRW hoists installed. Helicopters with the Breeze hoist, P/N BL 16-600, 
BL 16-600-11 or BL 16-600-12, installed require this junction box 
modification.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type designs registered in the United States. 
Therefore, this AD is being issued to prevent failure of the hoist 
emergency load jettison switch, resulting in an inability of the pilot 
to cut the rescue hoist cable in the event of cable entanglement or 
other emergency and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This 
AD requires modifying the limiting resistor in the junction box. The 
actions must be accomplished in accordance with the alert telex 
described previously. The modification is terminating action for the 
requirements of this AD. The short compliance time involved is required 
because the previously described critical unsafe condition can 
adversely affect the controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, the 
modification is required before the next hoist operation and this AD 
must be issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
    The FAA estimates that 2 helicopters will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 1 work hour to accomplish the 
modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $20 per helicopter. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of

[[Page 9504]]

the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $160.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A 
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the 
substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2002-SW-47-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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:

2003-04-13 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13062. Docket No. 2002-
SW-47-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters with electric 
hoist junction box (junction box), part number (P/N) 341A63-1103-00, 
installed with the 300 lb. Breeze hoist, P/N BL 16-600, P/N BL 16-
600-11, or P/N BL 16-600-12, 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 (c) 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 hoist operation, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the hoist emergency load jettison switch, 
resulting in an inability of the pilot to cut the rescue hoist cable 
in the event of cable entanglement or other emergency and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the limiting resistor in the electric hoist junction 
box in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 45.05, dated July 8, 
2002.
    (b) Modifying the limiting resistor is terminating action for 
the requirements of this AD.
    (c) 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.

    (d) Special flight permits to allow operation of an unmodified 
hoist will not be issued.
    (e) The modification shall be done in accordance with paragraph 
2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions in Eurocopter Alert Telex 
No. 45.05, dated July 8, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 2003.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2002-370-043(A), dated 
July 24, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 14, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4475 Filed 2-27-03; 8:45 am]
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