Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B and B1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12998-13000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2357]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22697; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-46-AD; 
Amendment 39-14509; AD 2006-06-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 155B and B1 
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 (ECF) model helicopters that requires 
inspecting an electrical cable bundle for wear. If wear is present, the 
AD requires installing an airworthy cable bundle and modifying the 
routing of the electrical cable bundles. This amendment is prompted by 
reports of a short circuit in the wiring, which led to failure of the 
normal and emergency landing gear operation modes. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent interference of the wiring 
with the structure resulting in an electrical short circuit, failure of 
the landing gear to extend, and an emergency landing.

DATES: Effective April 18, 2006.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 18, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, 
Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and 
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the 
Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jorge Castillo, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5127, fax (817) 222-
5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified ECF

[[Page 12999]]

model helicopters was published in the Federal Register on October 17, 
2005 (70 FR 199). The action proposed to require inspecting an 
electrical cable bundle for wear. If wear is present, the AD proposed 
installing an airworthy cable bundle and modifying the routing of the 
electrical cable bundles.
    A correction to that proposal was published in the Federal Register 
on January 20, 2006 (71 FR 3248). That action corrected the docket 
number throughout the proposal changing it from FAA-2005-22696 to FAA-
2005-22697.
    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on ECF Model EC 155 helicopters. The DGAC advises 
of the occurrence of a short circuit that occurred in the wiring of 
panel 12 Alpha making the landing gear inoperative.
    ECF has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 24A011 (ASB), dated March 
11, 2004, subsequently revised on May 14, 2004, which specifies 
checking the condition of the wiring and modifying its routing to 
preclude the risk of interference and associated damage. The May 14, 
2004, revision to the ASB also specifies preventing any interference of 
the wiring with the head of the vent line attaching clamp by replacing 
wiring kit 365A0739C28.71 with wiring kit 365A0739C28.72. The DGAC 
classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued AD No. F-2004-057 R1 
dated July 21, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters in France.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in France and are 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 us informed of the 
situation described above. We have 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 for correcting the docket 
number from FAA-2005-22696 to FAA-2005-22697. Also, we have expanded 
the contact address in paragraph (b) in the body of the AD to provide 
more information to the public. These changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of this AD.
    We estimate that this AD will affect 7 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. It will take about 16 work hours to inspect and modify the 
wiring per helicopter at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts and material will cost about $240. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators 
to be $8,960, assuming that all of the helicopters are modified.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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 an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD. See the DMS to examine the 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, 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:

2006-06-01 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-14509. Docket No. FAA-
2005-22697, Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-46-AD.

Applicability

    Model EC 155B and B1 helicopters, certificated in any category.

Compliance

    Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent interference of the wiring with the structure 
resulting in an electrical short circuit, failure of the landing 
gear to extend, and an emergency landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS),
    (1) Inspect the wiring of panel 12 Alpha (wiring) electrical 
cable bundle for wear. If wear is present, replace the worn cable 
bundle with an airworthy cable bundle by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A.1, 2.B.1., and 2.B.2 of 
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC155 No. 24A011, Revision 1, 
dated May 14, 2004 (ASB).


    Note 1: Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM): Tasks 24.00.00.911 
and 32-30-00-721 and Standard Practices Manual (MTC) Work Cards 
20.02.01.415, 20.06.01.310, 20.06.01.406, and 20.02.06.409 pertain 
to the subject of this AD.


    (2) Modify the routing of the electrical wiring (MOD 0739C28) 
and replace spreaders and spacers by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3. through 2.B.9. of the ASB.
    (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 Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 
FAA, ATTN: Jorge Castillo, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5127, fax (817) 222-5961 for 
information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.
    (c) Special flight permits will not be issued.

[[Page 13000]]

    (d) Inspect and modify the routing of the electrical wiring and 
replace any electrical parts in accordance with the specified 
portions of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin EC155 No. 24A011, 
Revision 1, dated May 14, 2004. 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 National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 18, 2006.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale de l'Aviation Civile (France) AD F-2004-057 R1, dated July 
21, 2004.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 23, 2006.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-2357 Filed 3-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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