[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6746-6747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3533]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model 
BO 105 C and BO 105 S Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY:This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) 
(Eurocopter) Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S helicopters. This proposal 
would require modifying the main relay box by replacing the voltage 
regulator; modifying the cockpit overhead panel by installing two 
additional switches; and performing a functional test of the new 
voltage regulator, generators, and new switches. This proposal is 
prompted by an in-service report of a helicopter that experienced a 
generator overvoltage. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent failure of essential electrical equipment that 
could result in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lance Gant, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5114, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on Eurocopter Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S helicopters. The LBA 
advises that the voltage regulators installed during production cannot 
prevent the failure of avionic instruments caused by generator 
overvoltage in the aircraft power supply.
    Eurocopter has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin ASB-BO-105-80-
119, dated November 7, 1994, which specifies retrofitting affected 
helicopters with a voltage regulator incorporating overvoltage 
protection. The retrofit action includes installing two switches in the 
cockpit overhead panel so that generators that are switched off as a 
result of overvoltage can be switched on again individually. Eurocopter 
also issued Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB-BO-105-80-118, 
Revision 1, dated November 29, 1995, that introduced a compliance time. 
The LBA classified

[[Page 6747]]

this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 95-458, dated December 
5, 1995 in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters in Germany.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in Germany and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
LBA, 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.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Eurocopter Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States, 
the proposed AD would require modifying the main relay box 1VE; 
modifying the cockpit overhead panel, and performing a functional test 
of the new voltage regulator, generators, and new switches. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 100 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 14 work 
hours to accomplish the modification, one-half work hour to accomplish 
the functional test, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $14,317 per helicopter. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,518,700.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

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:

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD): Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD.

    Applicability: Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S helicopters, serial 
number (S/N) 161 and higher, equipped with a voltage regulator, part 
number (P/N) 511565-000R, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required within the next 120 calendar days after the 
effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of essential electrical equipment that could 
result in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the main relay box and the cockpit overhead panel, 
and perform the functional test in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) ASB-BO-105-80-119, dated November 7, 1994.
    (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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 
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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 5, 1997.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3533 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U