[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11297-11300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27495; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-14-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, 
B2, B3, C, D, and D1; EC-130B4; 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 (ECF) model helicopters. This 
proposal would require, within the next 30 days, modifying the 
collective hold-down strap (strap) and thereafter inspecting it at 
specified intervals to ensure the rubber grommet is resting against the 
console or replacing the strap with an ECF designed strap that has a 
torsional spring at the lower end of the strap. This proposal is 
prompted by reports of two accidents occurring while the pilots were 
performing an autorotation. The pilots were unable to arrest the 
descent of the helicopter using collective blade pitch due to the 
collective stick locking in the down position when the collective was 
lowered during the maneuver. The actions specified by this proposed AD 
are intended to prevent inadvertent locking of a collective stick in 
flight and the flight crew not being aware of the locked condition 
leading to a subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 14, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to  http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically;
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590;
     Fax: 202-493-2251; or
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may examine the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vince Massey, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, Systems and Equipment Branch, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056, telephone (425) 
917-6475, fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments 
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed 
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
27495, Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-14AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the search 
function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to 
any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent or 
signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 
19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

[[Page 11298]]

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Management 
System (DMS) Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-
647-5227) is located at the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation NASSIF Building in Room PL-401 at 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    This document proposes adopting a new AD for the specified ECF 
model helicopters. This proposal would require, within the next 30 
days, modifying the strap and thereafter inspecting it at specified 
intervals to ensure the rubber grommet is resting against the console 
or replacing the strap with an ECF strap designed with the torsional 
spring at the lower end of the strap. This proposal is prompted by 
reports of two accidents occurring while the pilots were performing an 
autorotation. The pilots were unable to arrest the descent of the 
helicopter using collective blade pitch due to the collective control 
locking in the down position when the collective was lowered during the 
maneuver. The positive locking feature and the structural integrity of 
the hold-down strap prevent the pilot from overriding the collective 
stick control lock by simply pulling up on the collective control 
stick. Before the collective stick can be raised, it must be held in a 
position where the button on the end of the collective stick is 
centered in the hole in the hold-down strap and then pushed forward to 
disengage the hold-down strap from the button on the end of the 
collective stick. The actions specified by this proposed AD are 
intended to prevent inadvertent locking of a collective stick in flight 
and the flight crew not being aware of the locked condition leading to 
a subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type designs. Therefore, the proposed AD 
would require you to do the following within the next 30 days:
     Modify the strap by forming the strap as depicted in 
Figure 1 of this AD. Install the modified strap so that the rubber 
grommet rests against the console. Thereafter, at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours time-in-service, inspect the strap to ensure the 
rubber grommet is resting against the console.
     An alternative approach for complying with this AD is to 
replace the affected strap with an ECF designed strap that has a 
torsional spring at the lower end of the strap.
    Replacing the strap with an ECF designed strap that has a torsional 
spring at the lower end of the strap would constitute terminating 
action for the requirements of this AD.
    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 475 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 10 minutes to 
inspect a strap, 20 minutes to modify it, and 30 minutes to replace a 
strap at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost about $194.70 per helicopter for the ECF strap designed with 
the torsional spring at the end of the strap. Based on these figures, 
we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators would be 
$111,483 if the ECF strap designed with the torsional spring at the end 
is installed in the entire fleet.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, this proposed 
AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the DMS to examine the draft economic 
evaluation.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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. FAA-2007-27495; Directorate Identifier 
2005-SW-14-AD.

Applicability

    Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1; EC-130B4; and 
AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, with a collective hold-down 
strap (strap), part number (P/N) 350A273107126, installed, 
certificated in any category.

Compliance

    Required as indicated.
    To prevent inadvertent locking of a collective stick in the 
lowered position during flight and the flight crew not being aware 
of the locked condition leading to a subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, do the following:
    (a) Within the next 30 days, unless accomplished previously, 
modify the strap by forming the strap as depicted in Figure 1 of 
this AD. Install the modified strap so that the rubber grommet rests 
against the console. Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 100 
hours time-in-service, inspect the strap to ensure that the rubber 
grommet is resting against the console.

    Note: Vertical adjustment of the strap is described in the 
applicable Eurocopter France maintenance manual.


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    (b) An alternative approach for complying with paragraph (a) of 
this AD this AD is to replace the affected strap with an ECF 
designed strap kit, P/N 350A27-0350-0071,that has a torsional spring 
at the lower end of the strap. The following Parts List constitutes 
the required parts of the ECF strap kit designed with the torsional 
spring at the lower end of the strap:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Item                     Part No.            Quantity
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Leaf Assy...................  350A27-1426-03....  1
(2) Spring......................  350A27-1423-21....  1
(3) Leaf Support................  350A27-1421-20....  1
(4) Cotter Pin..................  23310CA015012.....  1
(5) Shear Pin...................  22719BC050068L....  1
(6) Screw.......................  22208CM050010.....  2
(7) Washer......................  23111AG050LE......  3
(8) Support.....................  350A27-1377-01....  1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Replacing the strap with an ECF designed strap kit as 
described in paragraph (b) of this AD constitutes terminating action 
for the requirements of this AD.
    (d) 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 Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, ATTN: Vince 
Massey, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Systems and Equipment Branch, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057, telephone (425) 917-6475, 
fax (425) 917-6590, for information about previously approved 
alternative methods of compliance.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 26, 2007.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 07-1167 Filed 3-12-07; 8:45 am]
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