Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 120 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 232 (Monday, December 3, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60143-60144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29592]



[[Page 60143]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-23-AD; Amendment 39-12524; AD 2001-24-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 120 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to Eurocopter France (ECF) Model EC120B helicopters 
and currently requires adjusting the clearance of the cabin sliding 
door if necessary. This amendment requires adding an end stop to the 
front rail and modifying the rear stop of the middle rail to increase 
its adjustment range for certain cabin sliding doors. This amendment is 
prompted by an in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door, which had been 
locked in the open position. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door, impact with 
the horizontal stabilizer or fenestron tail rotor, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective January 7, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 7, 2002.

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, Aviation 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 by 
superseding AD 2000-17-07, Amendment 39-11881 (65 FR 52012, August 28, 
2000), which applies to ECF Model EC120B helicopters, was published in 
the Federal Register on August 23, 2001 (66 FR 44319). That action 
proposed to supersede AD 2000-17-07 to require, within 90 days or 
before the next flight with a door open, whichever occurs first, adding 
a stop to the front rail and modifying the rear stop of the middle rail 
of the cabin sliding doors.
    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 24 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
helicopter to add and modify the cabin sliding door stops, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $25 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3480.
    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 ``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

    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 39-11881 (65 FR 
52012, August 28, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-12524, to read as follows:

2001-24-08  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12524. Docket No. 2001-
SW-23-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-17-07, Amendment 39-11881, Docket No. 
2000-SW-33-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC120B helicopters, serial number 1169 and 
below, with a cabin sliding door rail, part number C533C8102201, 
C533C8102202, C533C8103201, or C533C8103202, installed, 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 (b) 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 within 90 days or before the next flight 
with the door open, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door, impact with 
the horizontal stabilizer or fenestron tail rotor, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Add a stop to the front rail and modify the rear stop of the 
middle rail in accordance with the Operational Procedure, paragraph 
2.B., of Eurocopter France Alert Service Bulletin No. 52A004, 
Revision 1, dated April 19, 2001.
    (b) 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.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter with the sliding

[[Page 60144]]

cabin doors closed or removed to a location where the requirements 
of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B., of Eurocopter France Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 52A004, Revision 1, dated April 19, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 7, 2002.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2000-285-005(A) R2, dated 
May 16, 2001.



    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 20, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29592 Filed 11-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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