[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62513-62514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-07-AD; Amendment 39-13358; AD 2003-22-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC120B 
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 model helicopters that requires 
operators to either temporarily or permanently secure the electrical 
bonding braid (bonding braid) that is installed on the left cyclic 
pitch control stick base within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and, if 
temporarily secured, installing a permanent attachment system for the 
bonding braid within 500 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs 
first. This amendment is prompted by a report of a bonding braid 
twisting around the attachment nut installed on the bolt that connects 
the roll channel torque link to the left-hand cyclic pitch control 
stick. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an 
unsecured bonding braid from restricting travel to the cyclic pitch 
control stick, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective December 10, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of December 10, 2003.

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, Avaiation 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 the specified model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on July 16, 2003 (68 FR 41967). That action proposed 
to require, within 10 hours TIS, temporarily or permanently securing 
the bonding braid using clamps, then, if not already accomplished, 
installing a permanent attachment system within 500 hours TIS or 12 
months, whichever occurs first. Installing the permanent attachment 
system is a terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter Model EC 120 B helicopters. The DGAC 
advises that there was a report involving twisting of a bonding braid 
at the base of a cyclic stick that restricted movement of the cyclic 
pitch sticks.
    Eurocopter has issued Alert Telex No. 67A008, dated July 8, 2002, 
which specifies installing a clamp to position the bonding braid 
upwards and holding it against the cyclic pitch stick. DGAC classified 
this alert telex as mandatory and issued AD 2002-371-010(A), dated July 
24, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in 
France.
    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.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 80 helicopters of U.S. 
registry and the actions will take approximately 0.5 working hour per 
helicopter to accomplish the modification to temporarily secure the 
bonding braid, and 0.5 work hour to install a permanent attachment 
system. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts 
will cost approximately $20 her helicopter. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $6,400 
for the entire fleet, assuming that all operators install the temporary 
restraint, and subsequently, install the permanent restraint.
    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

[[Page 62514]]

``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

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:

2003-22-10 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13358. Docket No. 2003-
SW-07-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC120B helicopters, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent an unsecured bonding braid from restricting travel of 
the cyclic pitch control stick, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), temporarily secure 
the electrical bonding braid or in stall the permanent attachment 
system for the bonding braid in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.B., of Eurocopter France Alert Telex No. 
67A008, dated July 8, 2002 (Alert Telex).
    (b) Within 500 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first, 
install the permanent attachment system for the bonding braid in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2. 
and 2.B.3., of the Alert Telex.
    (c) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Send the proposal to the Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA. 
Contact the Safety Management Group for information about previously 
approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (d) The required actions shall be done in accordance with the 
Eurocopter France Alert Telex No. 67A008, dated July 8, 2002. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference 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 10, 2003.

    Note:  The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale 
De L'Aviation (France) AD 2003-371-010(A), dated July 24, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 24, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27542 Filed 11-4-03; 8:45 am]
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