[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16735-16736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8329]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-53-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B, SA-
365N and N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 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 (Eurocopter) Model EC 155B, SA-365N and N1, 
AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters with emergency flotation gear 
installed. This proposal would require inspecting the hydraulic brake 
hose (hose) for crazing, pinching, distortion, or leaks at the torque 
link hinge and replacing the hose, if necessary. This proposal would 
also require inspecting the hose and the emergency flotation gear pipe 
to ensure adequate clearance, and adjusting the landing gear leg, if 
necessary. This proposal is prompted by a report of a hose compression 
due to interference with a clamp that attaches the emergency flotation 
gear pipe. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the hose, resulting in failure of hydraulic pressure 
to the brakes on the affected landing gear wheel and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter during a run-on landing.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 6, 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-53-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: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5123, 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-53-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 Eurocopter Model EC 155 B, AS 365 N, N1, N2, and 
N3 helicopters. The DGAC advises of receiving a report of a hose 
compression due to interference with a clamp that attaches the 
emergency flotation gear pipe.
    Eurocopter has issued Alert Telex No. 32.00.09, for Model AS 365N, 
N1, N2, and N3 helicopters, and Alert Telex No. 32A004, for Model EC 
155B helicopters, both dated July 31, 2002. These alert telexes specify 
checks of the condition of the hose, as well as ensuring that there is 
no interference between the hose and the emergency flotation gear pipe 
when the landing gear is retracted. The DGAC classified these alert 
telexes as mandatory and issued AD No. 2002-475-007(A) for Model EC 155 
B helicopters, and AD No. 2002-474-058(A), for Model AS 365 N, N1, N2, 
and N3 helicopters, both dated September 18, 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.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type designs registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require, within the next 10 hours 
time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the hose for crazing, pinching, 
distortion, or leaks at the torque link hinge and replacing the hose 
before further flight, if necessary. The proposed AD would also 
require, at the next 100-hour TIS inspection, inspecting the hose and 
the emergency flotation gear pipe to ensure adequate clearance, and 
adjusting the landing gear leg, if necessary. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert telexes 
described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 44 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the inspection and 5 work hours to 
replace any parts, as necessary, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $459 for the 
hose; if replacing the hose on two sides is required, the cost would be 
approximately $918. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,518 per 
helicopter, or $50,094 for the entire fleet, assuming 75 percent of the 
fleet (33 helicopters) is equipped with emergency flotation gear and 
the hoses are replaced on all 33 helicopters.
    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

[[Page 16736]]

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-53-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC 155B, SA-365N and N1, AS-365N2, and AS 
365 N3 helicopters, with emergency flotation gear 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 (d) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the hose, resulting in failure of 
hydraulic pressure to the brakes on the affected landing gear wheel 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter during a run-on 
landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the hose for 
crazing, pinching, distortion, or leaks as illustrated in Area A of 
Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 32.00.09, for Model SA-365N 
and N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, and Alert Telex No. 
32A004, for Model EC 155B helicopters, both dated July 31, 2002 
(Alert Telexes).
    (b) If crazing, pinching, distortion, or leaks exist, replace 
the hose with an airworthy hose before further flight.
    (c) At the next 100-hour TIS inspection, inspect the hose and 
the emergency flotation gear pipe to ensure adequate clearance and 
adjust the landing gear leg, if necessary, in accordance with the 
Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.2., of the applicable Alert 
Telexes.
    (d) 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.

    (e) 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 No. 2002-475-007(A) and AD 
No. 2002-474-058(A), both dated September 18, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 31, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8329 Filed 4-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U