Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, C1, L, L1, AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3 and D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69596-69597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30688]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-15-AD; Amendment 39-13384; AD 2003-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, C1, L, 
L1, AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3 and D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters with a 
Breeze 300-pound electric hoist (hoist) installed that requires 
modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator control unit and 
replacing certain fuses. This amendment is prompted by a test of a 
hoist that revealed an anomaly in the electrical control circuit. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
hoist pyrotechnic squib electrical control unit, lack of adequate 
current to activate the hoist pyrotechnic squib, an inability of the 
pilot to cut the rescue hoist cable in the event of cable entanglement 
or other emergency, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective January 20, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 20, 2004.

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: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5120, fax (817) 222-
5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on August 22, 2003 (68 FR 50731). That action proposed 
to require, within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 2 months, 
whichever comes first, modifying and re-identifying the hoist operator 
control unit and replacing certain fuses.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter Model AS332C, C1, L, L1, Model 
AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3 and D, and Model AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of the discovery of a case of failure of 
a rescue hoist emergency release control system to operate due to an 
anomaly in the electrical control circuit.
    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 25.00.71, 
for Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters; and ASB No. 25.00.79, 
for Model AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters. Both ASBs are 
dated November 12, 2002, and specify embodiment of MOD 07 3190 on 
helicopters equipped with the fixed parts for the hoist. MOD 07 3190 
consists of (1) eliminating resistor 27M in the hoist operator's 
control unit 26M and (2) replacing the 25A quick-response fuses on the 
Honeywell unit at 31 alpha or 21 delta for the Model AS350 or on the 
distribution panel 10 alpha for the Model 355 helicopters. Eurocopter 
has also issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.01.18, dated November 12, 
2002, for Model AS332C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters. Modification 332PCS 
78 288 consists of eliminating resistor 81M in hoist box 91M and re-
identifying the hoist box as 332P67-2894-01, -02, -03, or -04, 
depending on which electrical wiring assembly is installed in the 
helicopter. The DGAC has classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued 
AD 2002-585(A) and AD 2002-584(A), both dated November 27, 2002, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in France.
    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

[[Page 69597]]

public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 58 helicopters of U.S. 
registry (50 Model AS350 helicopters and 8 Model AS355 helicopters, and 
no Model AS332 helicopters) and the required actions will take 
approximately 3.5 work hours per helicopter to accomplish at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$10 for a time-delay fuse for Model AS350 series helicopters, or $20 
for two time-delay fuses for Model AS355 series helicopters. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators will be $12,840 to modify each hoist in the entire fleet.
    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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2003-25-01 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13384. Docket No. 2003-
SW-15-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS332C, C1, L, and L1, AS350B, BA, B1, B2, 
B3 and D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters with a Breeze 300-
pound electric hoist (hoist) and hoist operator control unit 26M, 
part number (P/N) 350A63-1136-00 or 350A63-1136-01, and hoist 
electric box 91M, P/N 332A67-2875-00, installed, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service or within 
2 months, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the hoist pyrotechnic squib electrical 
control unit, lack of adequate current to activate the hoist 
pyrotechnic squib, an inability of the pilot to cut the rescue hoist 
cable in the event of cable entanglement or other emergency, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Modify and re-identify the hoist operator control unit; 
replace the fuses; and functionally test the hoist operation and the 
emergency jettison controls in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2B, Operational Procedure, of Eurocopter 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 25.00.71 for Model AS355E, F, F1, 
F2, and N helicopters; ASB No. 25.00.79 for Model AS350B, BA, B1, 
B2, B3, and D helicopters; and ASB No. 25.01.18 for Model AS332 C, 
C1, L, and L1 helicopters, all dated November 12, 2002, as 
applicable.
    (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, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
for information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.
    (c) The actions required by this AD shall be done using 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 25.00.71 for Model 
AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters; ASB No. 25.00.79 for Model 
AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters; and ASB No. 25.01.18 for 
Model AS332 C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters, all dated November 12, 
2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference 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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on January 20, 2004.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2002-584(A) and AD 2002-585(A), 
both dated November 27, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 4, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30688 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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