Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58929-58931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29188]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-32-AD; Amendment 39-12509; AD 2001-23-11]
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 supersedes an airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France Model EC 155B helicopters that currently requires, 
before each flight, visually checking each sliding door to ensure that 
each door roller is inside its rail. This amendment requires modifying 
the cabin sliding door rails and replacing the roller fitting. This 
amendment is prompted by the development of a modification that 
mechanically restrains the roller within its rail. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent in-flight loss of a cabin 
sliding door, impact with the main rotor or fenestron, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective December 11, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 11, 2001.

[[Page 58930]]

    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 25, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-32-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].
    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 
76137; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Monschke, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5116, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 12, 2001, the FAA issued AD 2001-13-
04, Amendment 39-12284 (66 FR 34103), to require, before each flight, 
visually checking the door rails of the sliding cabin door to ensure 
that each roller is inside its rail and revised the Limitations section 
of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to prohibit opening and closing 
either cabin sliding door in flight. That action was prompted by the 
loss of a cabin sliding door in flight. That condition, if not 
corrected, could result in loss of a cabin sliding door, impact with 
the main rotor or fenestron, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    The manufacturer has introduced a modification to the cabin sliding 
door that mechanically restrains the roller within its rail. However, 
sufficient information about this modification was not received by the 
FAA in time to be incorporated into AD 2001-13-04.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model EC 155B helicopters. The 
DGAC advises of an in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door.
    Eurocopter France has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 52A004, 
dated March 15, 2001 (ASB). The ASB specifies modifying the left-hand 
and right-hand cabin sliding door fitting roller attachment and upper 
rail. The DGAC classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD No. 2001-
058-001(A) R1, dated April 18, 2001, 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 this 
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 this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Since we have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Eurocopter France Model EC 155B helicopters 
of the same type design registered in the United States, this AD 
supersedes AD 2001-13-04 to require, before further flight, modifying 
the cabin sliding door rails and replacing the roller fitting. The 
actions must be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously. The short compliance time involved is required 
because the previously described critical unsafe condition can 
adversely affect the controllability and structural integrity of the 
helicopter. Therefore, modifying the cabin sliding door rails and 
replacing the roller fitting are required before further flight, and 
this AD must be issued immediately.
    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.
    The FAA estimates that 2 helicopters will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 20 work hours to modify the sliding 
cabin door, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $800 per helicopter. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $4,000.

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 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. 2001-SW-32-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. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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.

[[Page 58931]]

Adoption of the Amendment

    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

    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 removing Amendment 39-12284 (66 FR 
34103, June 27, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-12509, to read as follows:

2001-13-04  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12509. Docket No. 2001-
SW-32-AD. Supersedes AD 2001-13-04, Amendment 39-12284, Docket No. 
2001-SW-08-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC 155B helicopters, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door, impact with 
the main rotor or fenestron, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the left-hand and right-hand cabin sliding door rails 
and replace the roller fitting in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2, of Eurocopter France Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 52A004, dated March 15, 2001.
    (b) After accomplishing paragraph (a) of this AD, remove from 
the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual either the 
statements prohibiting the opening and closing of a cabin sliding 
door in flight and, before each flight with an open cabin sliding 
door, visually checking the open door to ensure each door roller is 
inside its rail or the copy of AD 2001-13-04, whichever is 
appropriate.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment, and 
then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.

    Note 2:
    Information concerning the existence of approved alternative 
methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the 
Regulations Group.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2, of Eurocopter France Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 52A004, dated March 15, 2001. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 11, 2001.

    Note 3:
    The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale De 
L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 2001-058-001(A) R1, dated April 
18, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 13, 2001.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29188 Filed 11-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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