Document ID: FAA-2013-0826-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Eurocopter France Helicopters
Posted Date: 2013-09-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59306-59308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23437]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0826; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-046-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
and SA330J helicopters. This proposed AD would prohibit use of the 
hydraulic hoist in helicopters equipped with certain parts and 
configurations until a hoist beam lower fitting protector is installed. 
This proposed AD is prompted by a report that the hoist cable jammed 
during a rescue at sea. The proposed actions are intended to prevent 
the hoist cable from jamming and subsequent cable failure, which could 
result in injury and damage to the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 25, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD 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 proposed AD, the foreign 
authority's AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office 
(telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; 
or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
robert.grant@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
No. 2009-0271R1, dated July 8, 2011, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Eurocopter Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J 
helicopters with certain hoist beams installed. EASA advises that 
during a hoisting operation, a hydraulic hoist cable jammed against the 
base of the supporting strut of a dual hoist tray installation. 
According to EASA, the load was transferred to the back-up electrical 
hoist and safely brought on board. However, the jamming of the 
hydraulic hoist cable against the strut damaged the back-up electrical 
hoist power supply harness, which is routed through the area, resulting 
in a short circuit that fused and ruptured the cable. EASA reports that 
this condition, if not corrected, could lead to further incidents of 
hoist cable jamming and subsequent cable failure, which could result in 
personal injuries and damage to the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and

[[Page 59307]]

are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical representative, 
has notified us of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are 
proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information 
and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued one Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB), 
Revision 3, dated July 6, 2011, with three different numbers. EASB No. 
25.02.08 is for civil and military Model AS332-series helicopters; EASB 
No. 25.01.29 is for military Model AS532-series helicopters; and EASB 
No. 25.39 is for civil and military Model SA330-series helicopters. The 
EASB originally provided instructions to prevent the main hydraulic 
hoist cable from becoming jammed and damaged in the fixed fitting of 
the hoist beam lower fitting. The revisions add further instructions 
and expand the effectivity to more helicopters and helicopter equipment 
configurations. The revisions also extend some compliance deadlines, 
and revise some instructions to account for improved installation 
procedures. After further investigation, the most recent revisions 
remove some helicopter models from the list of applicable helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require installing a placard that prohibits 
raising or lowering the load in case of a cable jam. If the hoist 
control electrical harness is routed at the base of the hoist 
supporting strut, the proposed AD would require disabling the hoist 
pyrotechnic shear function and installing placards that state the hoist 
pyrotechnic shear function is disabled. The proposed AD would also 
require either installing a hoist beam lower fitting protector or 
installing placards that prohibit operating the hydraulic hoist.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    Our AD would differ from the EASA AD as follows:
    The EASA AD requires certain actions before the next flight, while 
we would require the same actions before the next hoisting operation.
    The EASA AD sets calendar dates that have passed for compliance, 
while we set compliance based on hours time-in-service.
    The EASA AD misidentifies the Eurocopter SA330J service bulletin 
number and paragraph number in its required actions for Model SA330J 
helicopters. This proposed AD would require compliance with paragraph 
2.B.4 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.39, 
Revision 3, dated July 5, 2011.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 20 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that work hours would average $85 an hour. Based on 
these estimates, we would expect the following costs:
     The cost for installing and removing placards is minimal.
     Disabling the hoist pyrotechnic shear function would 
require 1 work-hour and no parts would be needed for a cost of $85 per 
helicopter, $1,700 for the U.S. fleet.
     Installation of the hoist beam lower fitting protector for 
Model AS332 helicopters without a right hand (RH) sliding door and 
without a short footstep would require 6 work-hours for a labor cost of 
$510 per helicopter. Parts would cost $4,760 for a total cost of $5,270 
per helicopter.
     Installation of the hoist beam lower fitting protector and 
short footstep with lower side protector for Model AS332 helicopters 
without a RH sliding door and with a short footstep would require 12 
work-hours for a labor cost of $1020 per helicopter. Parts would cost 
$26,891 for a total cost of $27,401 per helicopter.
     Installation of the hoist beam protector for Model AS332 
helicopters with a RH sliding door would require 3 work-hours for a 
labor cost of $255 per helicopter. Parts would cost $20,858 for a total 
cost of $21,113 per helicopter.
     Installation of the hoist beam protector for Model SA330J 
helicopters would require 3 work-hours for a labor cost of $255 per 
helicopter. Parts would cost $4,774 for a total cost of $5,029 per 
helicopter.
    Enabling the hoist pyrotechnic shear function would require 1 work-
hour and no parts would be needed for a cost of $85 per helicopter.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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, I certify 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Eurocopter France (Eurocopter): Docket No. FAA-2013-0826; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-046-AD.

[[Page 59308]]

(a) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated 
in any category:
    (i) Eurocopter Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332 L1, and AS332 L2 
helicopters with a hoist beam, Part Number (P/N) 330A87-2345-00, -
01, -02, -03, -04, -05, or -06, installed with a single or double 
hoist plate; and
    (ii) Eurocopter Model SA330J helicopters with a hoist beam, P/N 
330A87-2345-00, -01, -02, -03, -04, -05, or -06, installed with a 
single hoist plate.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    The unsafe condition is defined as hoist cable jamming and 
subsequent cable failure, which could result in injuries or damage 
to the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    Comments are due November 25, 2013.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished 
previously.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Before the next hoist operation:
    (i) For all helicopters, install a placard in full view of the 
hoist operator that states: ``IN CASE OF CABLE JAM AGAINST STRUT DO 
NOT ATTEMPT TO RAISE OR LOWER LOAD''.
    (ii) For helicopters with a hoist control electrical harness 
routed at the base of the hoist supporting strut:
    (A) Disable the hoist pyrotechnic shear function.
    (B) Install a placard on the instrument panel in full view of 
the flight crew that states:
    ``HOIST PYROTECHNIC SHEAR FUNCTION DISABLED''.
    (C) Install a placard in full view of the hoist operator that 
states:
    ``HOIST PYROTECHNIC SHEAR FUNCTION DISABLED. IN CASE OF
    NECESSITY, CUT THE HOIST CABLE WITH THE SHEARS LOCATED IN THE
    CABIN.''
    (iii) For helicopters listed in Paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this AD 
with a tray-mounted double hoist installed with the back-up 
electrical hoist power supply harness routed at the base of the 
hoist supporting strut, do one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protector in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.b of 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.02.08, Revision 
3, dated July 6, 2011 (EASB), and if a short footstep, P/N 332P21-
9000-00 or 332P21-2052-01, is installed, also install the short 
footstep with lower side protector in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.c.2, of the EASB; or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the the hoist operator, that state:
    ``IN-FLIGHT OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.''
    (2) Within 60 hours time-in-service:
    (i) For helicopters listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this AD 
without a tray-mounted double hoist installed with the back-up 
electrical hoist power supply harness routed at the base of the 
hoist supporting strut and without a right hand sliding door, P/N 
332A22-1165-01, installed, do one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protecter in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2.b, of the EASB 
and if a short footstep, P/N 332P21-9000-00 or 332P21-2052-01, is 
installed, also install the short footstep with lower side protector 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 
2.B.2.c.2, of the EASB; or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the hoist operator, that state:
    ``IN-FLIGHT OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.''
    (ii) For helicopters listed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this AD 
with a right hand sliding door, P/N 332A22-1165-01, installed, do 
one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protector in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.5, of the EASB; 
or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the hoist operator, that state:
    ``IN-FLIGHT OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.''
    (iii) For Model SA330J helicopters, do one of the following:
    (A) Install a hoist beam lower fitting protector in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.4, of Eurocopter 
Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.39, Revision 3, dated July 
5, 2011; or
    (B) Install two placards, one in full view of the flight crew 
and one in full view of the hoist operator, that state:
    ``IN-FLIGHT OPERATION OF THE HOIST IS PROHIBITED.''
    (3) For any helicopter that has been modified per paragraph 
(e)(1)(iii)(A), (e)(2)(i)(A), (e)(2)(ii)(A), or (e)(2)(iii)(A) of 
this AD, do the following before the next hoist operation:
    (i) Re-establish the hoist pyrotechnic shear function if 
disabled per paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A).
    (ii) Remove any placards if installed as required by paragraph 
(e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(ii)(B), (e)(1)(ii)(C), (e)(1)(iii)(B), 
(e)(2)(i)(B), (e)(2)(ii)(B), or (e)(2)(iii)(B).

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; 
email robert.grant@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

 (g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2009-0271R1, dated July 8, 2011. You may view 
the EASA AD at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0826.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7100, Powerplant 
System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 17, 2013.
Gwendolynne O'Connell,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23437 Filed 9-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P