Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC120B Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 9, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45295-45296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16678]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-68-AD; Amendment 39-12799; AD 2002-13-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC120B 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters that requires 
installing front and side covers to protect the yaw control. This 
amendment is prompted by a report of a mobile phone falling between the 
windshield canopy (canopy) and the cabin floor jamming the yaw control 
pedal. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an 
object from sliding between the canopy and the cabin floor, loss of yaw 
control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective August 13, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 13, 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 to 
include an AD for ECF Model EC120B helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on February 14, 2002 (67 FR 6886). That action 
proposed to require installing front and side covers to protect the yaw 
control.
    The Direction General De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on this model helicopter. The DGAC advises of a yaw 
control jamming caused by an object that slid between the canopy and 
the cabin floor.
    ECF has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A005, dated July 30, 
2001 (ASB), which specifies installing a front and side protection on 
the cabin floor to protect the yaw control. The DGAC classified this 
ASB as mandatory and issued AD No. 2001-386-007(A), dated September 5, 
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 the 
applicable 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.
    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 except that we have corrected the date 
of the DGAC AD in Note 4 from September 15, 2001 to September 5, 2001 
and added ``Eurocopter'' to paragraph (a) of the AD. These changes will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 44 helicopters of U.S. 
registry and will take 2 work hours per helicopter to accomplish the 
required actions. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $851 per helicopter. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators 
to be $42,724.
    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:

[[Page 45296]]

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:

2002-13-11  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12799. Docket No. 2001-
SW-68-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC120B helicopters, serial numbers 1001 
through 1278, inclusive, 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, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent an object from sliding between the canopy and the 
cabin floor, loss of yaw control, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Install front and side covers (protections) to protect the 
yaw control in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B., Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A005, dated 
July 30, 2001 (ASB), except the correct reference to the Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual in subparagraph 2.B.2 of the ASB is 20-10-00, 3-
8. If the helicopter has flight controls at both the pilot and co-
pilot stations, front and side protections are required at both 
stations.

    Note 2: Figure 1 of the ASB depicts the right-hand side of the 
cockpit.

    (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 3: 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 to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) Installing the front and side covers (protections) to 
protect the yaw control shall be done in accordance with 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B., Eurocopter Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 67A005, dated July 30, 2001 (ASB). 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 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 August 13, 2002.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2001-386-007(A), dated 
September 5, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 25, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-16678 Filed 7-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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