[Federal Register: March 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 48)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11297-11300]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr07-10]
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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:
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Item Part No. Quantity
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(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
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(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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