Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31918-31919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5003]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23888; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-03-AD; 
Amendment 39-14622; AD 2006-11-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, 
B2, B3, C, D, and D1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and 
D1 helicopters that have a Geneva Aviation, Inc. (Geneva) P132 console 
(console) installed. This AD requires installing right and left side 
Geneva cyclic control sticks and modifying the cyclic grips and the co-
pilot cyclic stand (receptacle). This amendment is prompted by reports 
that pilots had restricted cyclic stick travel when using Eurocopter 
factory-installed cyclic sticks in a helicopter modified under a 
certain Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of a 
Geneva P132 console. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent restricting full lateral movement of the cyclic control during 
high lateral center of gravity (CG) load operations in high cross winds 
and during slope takeoffs or landings and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: Effective July 7, 2006.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 7, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Geneva Aviation, Inc., 20021-80th Ave. South, Kent, Washington 
98032; telephone: (800) 546-2210; fax: (800) 546-2220; Internet: http://www.GenevaAviation.com.

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: Vince Massey, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, Systems and 
Equipment Branch, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; 
telephone (425) 917-6475, fax (425) 917-6590.

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 February 28, 2006 (71 FR 9979). That action 
proposed replacing the right and left side Geneva cyclic control sticks 
and modifying the cyclic grips and the receptacle.
    Geneva has issued Service Bulletin GA107-7, dated June 14, 2005 
(SB). The SB describes a condition that pilots may encounter regarding 
restricted cyclic control stick movement in helicopters that have a 
Geneva P132 console installed under STC No. SH4747NM. The Geneva center 
console is wider than the factory-installed Eurocopter console and may 
limit lateral cyclic movement under certain conditions. The SB 
specifies replacing the Eurocopter factory-installed pilot (right-side) 
cyclic stick and co-pilot (left-side) cyclic stick with a Geneva-
manufactured right-side cyclic stick, part number (P/N) G12316-26, and 
left-side cyclic stick, P/N G12324-26. For cyclic sticks with a 
``Bendix'' cyclic grip without any cyclic grip flange, which has a 90-
degree bend at the top of the cyclic stick, the SB specifies replacing 
the Eurocopter factory-installed pilot and co-pilot cyclic sticks with 
a Geneva-manufactured right-side cyclic stick, P/N G12425-26, and left-
side cyclic stick, P/N G12426-26, respectively. The SB also specifies 
modifying the flange at the base of the cyclic grips and the receptacle 
to prevent inadvertent installation of the factory original co-pilot 
cyclic stick.
    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. We have reviewed 
all available information and determined that AD action is necessary 
for products of these type designs, modified under STC No. SH4747NM, 
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.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 122 helicopters of U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 31919]]

The required actions will take about 14 work hours per helicopter to 
accomplish at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. The Geneva 
cyclic sticks cost about $300 each or $600 per set. Geneva, the 
manufacturer of the console, has stated that it will supply left and 
right side cyclic sticks at no charge to current owners of Geneva P132 
consoles, regardless of when they purchased the console. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators 
to be $184,220 to do the replacements and modifications on all 122 
helicopters in the fleet or $111,020 assuming the cyclic sticks are 
provided at no cost to operators.

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:

2006-11-17 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-14622. Docket No. FAA-
2006-23888; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-03-AD.

Applicability

    Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, and D1 helicopters, with a 
Geneva Aviation, Inc. (Geneva) P132 Console installed in accordance 
with Supplemental Type Certificate No. SH4747NM, certificated in any 
category.

Compliance

    Required within 60 days, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent restricting full lateral movement of the cyclic 
control during high lateral center of gravity (CG) load operations 
in high cross winds and during slope takeoffs or landings, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Remove the Eurocopter France installed pilot (right-side) 
and co-pilot (left-side) cyclic control sticks in accordance with 
paragraph 2.1 of the Instructions section of Geneva Aviation, Inc. 
Service Bulletin GA107-7, dated June 14, 2005 (SB).
    (1) Install Geneva-manufactured cyclic control sticks, part 
number (P/N) G12316-26 (right side) and P/N G12324-26 (left side), 
or
    (2) For installations with a ``Bendix'' cyclic grip, which has a 
90-degree bend at the top of the cyclic control stick, install 
Geneva-manufactured cyclic control sticks, P/N G12425-26 (right 
side) and P/N G12426-26 (left side).
    (b) If the base of the cyclic grip has a flange to help support 
the pilot's hand, modify both the pilot and co-pilot cyclic control 
grips by removing a \3/8\ inch section of the flange in accordance 
with paragraph 2.2 of the Instructions section of the SB.
    (c) Modify the co-pilot cyclic control stand (receptacle) by 
installing a blind rivet in accordance with paragraph 2.3 of the 
Instructions section of the SB.
    (d) 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 Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Vince Massey, 1601 Lind Ave., SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6475, fax (425) 917-6590, for information 
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (e) Installing the cyclic stick and modifying the receptacle 
shall be done by following the specified portions of Geneva Service 
Bulletin GA107-7, dated June 14, 2005. 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 
Geneva Aviation, Inc., 20021-80th Ave. South, Kent, Washington 
98032; telephone: (800) 546-2210; fax: (800) 546-2220. 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 7, 2006.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 24, 2006.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5003 Filed 6-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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