[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55433-55435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24282]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-22-AD; Amendment 39-13315; AD 2003-19-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B 
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 (Eurocopter) Model EC 155B helicopters. This action 
requires, before further flight, determining whether the engine ``GOV'' 
warning light caution advisory display (display) panel illuminates the 
``GOV'' warning lights when appropriate. If not, this AD requires 
replacing the front panel of the display panel with an airworthy 
display panel before further flight. This amendment is prompted by the 
discovery of some operating anomalies affecting the red ``GOV'' warning 
light due to wiring errors that occurred after modifying the electrical 
power systems. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the display to warn of an engine governor failure, resulting 
in an engine over speed, loss of an engine, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective October 14, 2003.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-SW-22-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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0112, 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 EC155B helicopters. 
The DGAC advises of the detection of operating anomalies affecting the 
red ``GOV'' warning lights and the need to check the engine governing 
warning system for correct operation before the next flight.
    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin EC155 No. 77A001, 
dated May 7, 2003, which specifies operational checks of the red 
``GOV'' warning lights and the related electrical circuits. The DGAC 
classified the service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD No. 2003-
196(A), dated May 28, 2003, 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 these type designs that are certificated 
for operation in the United States.
    The previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this 
AD is being issued to prevent failure of the display to warn of an 
engine governor failure, resulting in an engine over speed, loss of an 
engine, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD 
requires the following:

[[Page 55434]]

    [sbull] Before further flight, determine if the display illuminates 
the ``GOV'' warning lights. If the display illuminates the ``GOV'' 
warning lights, no further action is required.
    [sbull] If crosses illuminate instead of the ``GOV'' warning lights 
on the display, replace the front panel of the display with an 
airworthy part before further flight.
    Replacing the front panel of the display with an airworthy part, 
part number 022TA0402, constitutes terminating action for the 
requirements of this AD.
    An owner/operator (pilot) may perform the visual checks for an 
inoperative governing warning system display. Pilots may perform these 
checks because they require no tools and can be accomplished by 
observation and may be performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. 
However, the pilot must enter compliance with those requirements into 
the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 
91.417(a)(2)(v).
    The short compliance time involved is required because the 
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, checking that the display 
illuminates the ``GOV'' warning lights and, if necessary, replacing the 
front panel of the display with an airworthy part before further flight 
is required.
    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.
    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 AD will affect 3 helicopters and will 
take approximately 15 minutes for an operational check of the engine 
governor warning system and 1 work hour to replace the front panel of 
the display at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $3500 per helicopter. Based on these 
figures, the estimated total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
$10,725.

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. 2003-SW-22-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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2003-19-12 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13315. Docket No. 2003-
SW-22-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC 155B helicopters, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent failure of the caution advisory display 
(display) to warn of an engine governor failure, resulting in an 
engine over speed, loss of an engine, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before further flight, on ground run-up, with both engines 
running:
    (1) Determine if the red ``GOV'' warning light on the front 
panel of the caution display for the No. 1 engine comes on when you 
operate the Engine No. 1 governing mode selector.
    (2) Set the selector back to the NORMAL or to the AUTO position 
and close the cover.
    (3) Repeat this check on engine No. 2.
    (4) If the display panel illuminates the ``GOV'' warning lights 
during the No. 1 and No. 2 engine checks, the panel is operating 
properly.
    (b) An owner/operator (pilot), holding at least a private pilot 
certificate, may perform the visual check and must enter compliance 
with paragraph (a) of this AD into the helicopter maintenance 
records in accordance with 14 CFR sections 43.11 and 
91.417(a)(2)(v)).

    Note 1: Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC155 No. 77A001, 
dated May 7, 2003, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (c) If red crosses appear on the upper line on the front panel 
of the display instead of the ``GOV'' warning lights, before further 
flight, replace the front panel with an airworthy front panel, part 
number (P/N) 022TA0402.
    (d) Replacing the front panel of the display with an airworthy 
front panel, P/N

[[Page 55435]]

022TA0402, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of 
this AD.
    (e) 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.
    (f) Special flight permits will not be issued.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 14, 2003.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France), AD No. 2003-196(A), dated 
May 28, 2003.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 15, 2003.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24282 Filed 9-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P