[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50731-50733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21522]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-15-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, C1, L, 
L1, AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3 and D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N 
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 the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters 
that have a Breeze 300-pound electric hoist (hoist) installed. This 
proposal would require modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator 
control unit and replacing certain fuses. This proposal is prompted by 
a test of a hoist that revealed an anomaly in the electrical control 
circuit. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the hoist pyrotechnic squib electrical control unit, 
lack of adequate current to activate the hoist pyrotechnic squib, 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: Comments must be received on or before October 21, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the

[[Page 50732]]

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-
SW-15-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Forth 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: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5120, 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. 2003-SW-15-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 AS332C, C1, L, L1, Model 
AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3 and D, and Model AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of the discovery of a case of failure of 
a rescue hoist emergency release control system to operate due to an 
anomaly in the electrical control circuit.
    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 25.00.71, 
for Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters; and ASB No. 25.00.79, 
for Model AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters. Both ASBs are 
dated November 12, 2002, and specify embodiment of MOD 07 3190 on 
helicopters equipped with the fixed parts for the hoist. MOD 07 3190 
consists of (1) eliminating resistor 27M in the hoist operator's 
control unit 26M and (2) replacing the 25A quick-response fuses on the 
Honeywell unit at 31 alpha or 21 delta for the Model AS350 or on the 
distribution panel 10 alpha for the Model 355 helicopters. Eurocopter 
has also issued alert Service Bulleting No. 25.01.18, dated November 
12, 2002, for Model AS332C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters. Modification 
332PCS 78 288 consists of eliminating resistor 81M in hoist box 91M and 
re-identifying the hoist box as 332P67-2894-01, -02, -03, or -04, 
depending on which electrical wiring assembly is installed in the 
helicopter. The DGAC has classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued 
AD 2002-585(A) and AD 2002-584(A), both dated November 27, 2002, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in France.
    This AD would require correction of an anomaly between the 
Eurocopter hoist control box electrical circuits and the Breeze 300 lb. 
hoist. The Eurocopter hoist control box supplies 2 amperes to the hoist 
pyrotechnic squib, however the Breeze 300 lb. hoist requires 10 amperes 
to activate the pyrotechnic squib. The TRW (LUCAS and Air Equipment) 
hoists require only 1 ampere to activate their pyrotechnic squibs. 
Therefore, this AD would not apply to the TRW (LUCAS and Air Equipment) 
hoist installations even though DGAC AD 2002-585(A) applied to these 
hoists.
    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 previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of these same type designs registered in 
the United States. Therefore, the proposed AD would require, within 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS) or 2 months, whichever comes first, 
modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator control unit and 
replacing certain fuses. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the ASBs described previously.
    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. The 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. Because 
we have now included this material in part 39, we no longer need to 
include it in each individual AD.
    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 58 helicopters 
of U.S. registry (50 Model AS350 helicopters and 8 Model AS355 
helicopters, and no Model AS332 helicopters) and the proposed actions 
would take approximately 3.5 work hours per helicopter to accomplish at 
an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $10 for a time-delay fuse for Model AS350 series 
helicopters, or $20 for two time-delay fuses for Model AS355 series 
helicopters. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact 
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators would be $12,840 to modify each 
hoist in the entire fleet.
    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.

[[Page 50733]]

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. 2003-SW-15-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS332C, C1, L, and L1, AS350B, BA, B1, B2, 
B3 and D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters with a Breeze 300-
pound electric hoist (hoist) and hoist operator control unit 26M, 
part number (P/N) 350A63-1136-00 or 350A63-1136-01, and hoist 
electric box 91M, P/N 332A67-2875-00, installed, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service or within 
2 months, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the hoist pyrotechnic squib electrical 
control unit, lack of adequate current to activate the hoist 
pyrotechnic squib, 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 and re-identify the hoist operator control unit; 
replace the fuses; and functionally test the hoist operation and the 
emergency jettison controls in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2B, Operational Procedure, of Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. 25.00.71 for Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N 
helicopters; ASB No. 25.00.79 for Model AS350B, BA. B1, B2, B3, and 
D helicopters; and ASB No. 25.01.18 for Model AS332 C, C1, L, and L1 
helicopters, all dated November 12, 2002, as applicable.
    (b) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
for information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2002-584(A) and AD 2002-585(A), 
both dated November 27, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 8, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21522 Filed 8-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M