Airworthiness Directives; Lifesavings Systems Corp., D-Lok Hook Assembly

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 27, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4265-4267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1518]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1148; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-36-AD; 
Amendment 39-16185; AD 2010-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Lifesavings Systems Corp., D-Lok Hook 
Assembly

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Lifesavings Systems Corp., D-Lok Hook assembly installed on certain 
rescue hoist assemblies. This AD results from a mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Community. The MCAI AD states that rescue hoist 
operators have reported surface irregularities and discontinuities on 
certain D-Lok Hooks because of an unapproved change in the hook design 
and manufacturing process from forged material to cast material that 
have different physical properties. The

[[Page 4266]]

actions are intended to prevent failure of a hook during rescue hoist 
operations, loss of the rescued passenger, and subsequent serious 
injury or fatality.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 11, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 29, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 
Goodrich Corporation, Sensors and Integrated Systems, 1550 S. Valley 
Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, California 91765, telephone 1-909-569-0210, fax 
1-909-569-0387; and from Breeze-Eastern Corporation, 700 Liberty 
Avenue, Union, NJ 07083-8198, telephone 1-908-686-4000, Ext. 3897 or 
3890 or 1-800-929-1919 (toll free United States and Canada only), fax 
1-908-688-6495, e-mail eastern.com">customerservice@breeze-eastern.com.
    Examining the Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is stated in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations 
and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2009-0183-E, dated August 
14, 2009, which is the latest of 4 MCAI ADs that have been issued, to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain helicopters with certain D-Lok 
Hook assemblies installed on Goodrich and Breeze-Eastern rescue hoists. 
The MCAI AD states that rescue hoist operators have reported surface 
irregularities and discontinuities on certain D-Lok Hooks because of an 
unapproved change in the hook design and manufacturing process from 
forged material to cast material that have different physical 
properties. The actions are intended to prevent failure of a hook 
during rescue hoist operations, loss of the rescued passenger, and 
subsequent serious injury or fatality.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and any 
related service information in the AD docket.

Related Service Information

    Goodrich has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 42315-489-01, Revision 1, 
dated June 5, 2009, and Breeze-Eastern Corporation has issued SB BLH-
20200-504-25-01, dated June 12, 2009. These SBs were issued following 
the discovery of surface irregularities and discontinuities on D-Lok 
Hooks assemblies, part number (P/N) 410-A and 410-F, manufactured by 
Lifesaving Systems Corp., which are used on Goodrich and Breeze-Eastern 
rescue hoist assemblies. The SBs specify inspecting and removing all D-
Lok hooks that have surface irregularities and discontinuities that 
exceed specified acceptable limits.
    The actions described in the MCAI AD are intended to correct the 
same unsafe condition as that identified in the service information.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    Agusta S.p.A. Model A109 series and AB139/AW139; Eurocopter Model 
AS332, AS350, AS355, SA-365, AS-365, EC 155 series, EC225LP; Eurocopter 
Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 and MBB-BK 117; and Sikorsky Aircraft 
Corporation S-61, S76, and S92 helicopters, all serial numbers; and 
other helicopters may have a rescue hoist assembly installed with a 
Lifesaving Systems Corp. D-Lok Hook Assembly with P/N 410-A or 410-F 
and lot number 208 or 1108. These hook assemblies were manufactured 
using a design and a manufacturing process using cast material instead 
of forged material, which was not approved by the FAA. Without FAA 
approval, these D-Lok hook assemblies, in addition to creating an 
unsafe condition, are not eligible for use in aircraft operating in the 
United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the member 
countries of the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI AD. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
these same type designs.
    This AD requires, within 200 hoist lifts, unless already done, 
replacing each affected D-Lok Hook assembly with an airworthy hook 
assembly other than D-Lok Hook assembly, P/N 410-A or 410-F, lot number 
208 or 1108.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    The latest MCAI AD requires a visual inspection to determine 
whether the affected hook assembly has surface irregularities and 
discontinuities that exceed certain manufacturer limits. If it is 
within limits, the MCAI AD requires replacing the D-Lok Hook within 30 
days from July 11, 2009 or upon reaching 1000 lift cycles since 
installation of the affected hook, whichever occurs first. This AD does 
not require an inspection and requires replacing each affected D-Lok 
Hook within 200 hoist lifts. Also, the MCAI AD is limited to Agusta, 
Eurocopter, and Sikorsky helicopters, and this AD applies to all 
helicopters with a Lifesavings Systems Corp. D-Lock Hook Assembly, P/N 
410-A or 410-F, lot number 208 or 1108, installed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 91 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per 
helicopter to replace each affected D-Lok Hook with an airworthy hook. 
The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost 
about $3000 per hoist. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators will be $280,280, assuming all 91 helicopters 
have the D-Lok Hook replaced.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. We find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to adopting this rule because of reports that 
the unapproved D-Lok Hooks have been found to have irregularities and 
discontinuities and if used to carry rescued passengers could lead to 
loss of the rescued passenger.

[[Page 4267]]

Testing shows that the affected hooks could fail at 200 lifts. At least 
one operator involved in training exercises exceeds 200 lifts in a 
month, which is a short period of time. Therefore, we have determined 
that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD 
are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written data, views, or 
arguments concerning this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section of this AD. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-
1148; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-36-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 product(s) identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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.
    Therefore, I certify this AD:
    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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2010-03-02 Lifesaving Systems Corp.: Amendment 39-16185. Docket No. 
FAA-2009-1148; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-36-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on 
February 11, 2010.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all helicopters, which have a rescue 
hoist assembly installed that contains a Lifesaving Systems Corp. D-
Lok Hook assembly, part number (P/N) 410-A or 410-F, lot number 208 
or 1108. These hooks are installed on but not limited to Goodrich 
Rescue Hoist Assembly P/N 42325-16-4, 42325-16-5, 44301-10 series, 
44315-10, 44307-480, 44307-481, 44316-12-101, 44316-10-101, 42325-12 
series, 42325-14 series, 44311-10 series, 712768-240-D 76370-140-D 
and 76378-260-D; and Breeze-Eastern Corporation Rescue Hoist 
Assembly, P/N BLH-20200-504 series.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 
states that rescue hoist operators have reported surface 
irregularities and discontinuities on certain D-Lok Hooks supplied 
by Lifesaving Systems because of an unapproved change in the hook 
design and manufacturing process from forged material to cast 
material that have different physical properties. The actions are 
intended to prevent failure of a hook during rescue hoist 
operations, loss of the rescued passenger, and subsequent serious 
injury or fatality.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within 200 hoist lifts, unless already done, replace each 
affected D-Lok Hook assembly with an airworthy hook assembly other 
than D-Lok Hook assembly, P/N 410-A or 410-F, lot number 208 or 
1108.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) The latest MCAI AD requires a visual inspection to determine 
whether the affected hook assembly has surface irregularities and 
discontinuities that exceed certain manufacturer limits. If it is 
within limits, the MCAI AD requires replacing the D-Lok Hook within 
30 days from July 11, 2009, or upon reaching 1000 total lift cycles 
since installation of the affected lock, whichever occurs first. 
This AD does not require an inspection and requires replacing each 
affected D-Lok Hook within 200 lift cycles. Also, the MCAI AD is 
limited to Agusta, Eurocopter, and Sikorsky helicopters, and this AD 
applies to all helicopters with a Lifesavings Systems Corp. D-Lock 
Hook Assembly, P/N 410-A or 410-F, lot number 208 or 1108, 
installed.

Other Information

    (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Gary Roach, 
ASW-111, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Regulations and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) EASA MCAI AD No. 2009-0124, dated June 12, 2009; 2009-0148-
E, dated July 9, 2009; 2009-0179-E, dated August 11, 2009; 2009-
0183-E, dated August 14, 2009; and Goodrich Service Bulletin (SB) 
42315-489-01, Revision 1, dated June 5, 2009 and Breeze-Eastern 
Corporation SB BLH-20200-504-25-01, dated June 12, 2009, contain 
related information.

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code

    (i) JASC Code 2520: Passenger Compartment Equipment.

    Dated: Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 20, 2010.
 Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-1518 Filed 1-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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