[Federal Register: October 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 199)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60244-60246]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc05-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22696; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-46-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B and B1
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 (ECF) Model EC 155B and B1 helicopters. This
proposal would require inspecting an electrical cable bundle for wear.
If wear is present, the AD would require installing an airworthy cable
bundle and modifying the routing of the electrical cable bundles. This
proposal is prompted by reports of a short circuit in the wiring, which
led to failure of the normal and emergency landing gear operation
modes. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to
prevent interference of the wiring with the structure resulting in an
electrical short circuit, failure of the landing gear to extend, and an
emergency landing.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 16, 2005.
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.
[[Page 60245]]
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.
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: Jorge Castillo, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5127, fax (817) 222-
5961.
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-2005-
22696, Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-46-AD'' 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.
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
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on ECF Model EC 155 helicopters. The DGAC advises
of the occurrence of a short circuit that occurred in the wiring of
panel 12 Alpha making the landing gear inoperative.
ECF has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 24A011 (ASB), dated March
11, 2004, and subsequently revised on May 14, 2004, which specifies
checking the condition of the wiring and modifying its routing to
preclude the risk of interference and associated damage. The May 14,
2004, revision to the ASB also specifies prevention of any interference
of the wiring with the head of the vent line attaching clamp by
replacing wiring kit 365A0739C28.71 with wiring kit 365A0739C28.72. The
DGAC classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued AD No. F-2004-057
R1, dated July 21, 2004, 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 us informed of the
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
This previously described 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 the following:
Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the wiring
of panel 12 Alpha electrical (wiring) cable bundle for wear. If wear is
present, replace the worn cable bundle with an airworthy cable bundle.
Modify the routing of the electrical wiring (MOD 0739C28)
and replace spreaders and spacers.
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with
specified portions of the ASB described previously.
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 7 helicopters of
U.S. registry and would take about 16 work hours to inspect and modify
the wiring per helicopter at an average labor rate of $65 per work
hour. Required parts and material would cost about $240. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $8,960, assuming that all of the helicopters will be
modified.
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:
[[Page 60246]]
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-2005-22696; Directorate Identifier
2004-SW-46-AD.
Applicability: Model EC 155B and B1 helicopters, certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent interference of the wiring with the structure
resulting in an electrical short circuit, failure of the landing
gear to extend, and an emergency landing, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS),
(1) Inspect the wiring of panel 12 Alpha (wiring) electrical
cable bundle for wear. If wear is present, replace the worn cable
bundle with an airworthy cable bundle by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A.1, 2.B.1, and 2.B.2 of
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC155, Revision 1, dated May 14,
2004 (ASB).
Note 1: Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM): Tasks 24.00.00.911
and 32-30-00-721 and Standard Practices Manual (MTC) Work Cards
20.02.01.415, 20.06.01.310, 20.06.01.406, and 20.02.06.409 pertain
to the subject of this AD.
(2) Modify the routing of the electrical wiring (MOD 0739C28)
and replace spreaders and spacers by following the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3. through 2.B.9. of the ASB.
(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, FAA, for information about
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(c) Special flight permits will not be issued.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale de l'Aviation Civile (France) AD F-2004-057 R1, dated July
21, 2004.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20679 Filed 10-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P