Document ID: FAA-2011-0859-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Eurocopter France Model EC120B Helicopters
Posted Date: 2011-08-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53326-53328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21473]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0859 ; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-052-AD; 
Amendment 39-16777; AD 2011-17-13]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (ECF) Model EC120B 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
ECF Model EC120B helicopters. This action requires inserting an 
emergency procedure appendix from an ECF Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). This action also 
requires modifying the emergency switch electrical wiring and 
performing tests to ensure correct operation of the emergency switch. 
This action also requires removing the emergency procedure appendix 
from the RFM after modifying the emergency switch electrical wiring and 
performing tests to ensure correct operation. This amendment is 
prompted by the discovery that simultaneously setting the emergency 
switch to the low position ``CUT-OFF'' and the generator (GENE) 
pushbutton to ``OFF'' position caused the starter-generator to restart. 
Investigation revealed that cross-wiring at the emergency switch caused 
this malfunction. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the 
inability to isolate electrical equipment during an emergency, creating 
the risk of an uncontrolled electrical fire and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 12, 2011.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 12, 2011.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 25, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     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 
American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com.
    Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains the 
AD, any comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Schwab, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5114, fax 
(817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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. 2010-0078-E, dated April 23, 2010, to correct an unsafe condition 
for the ECF Model EC120B helicopters. EASA advises that while 
conducting a ``smoke in the cockpit'' procedure, ECF found that setting 
the emergency switch to CUT-OFF and the GENE pushbutton to OFF at the 
same time caused the aircraft starter-generator to ``cut-in again.'' 
Technical investigations revealed that cross-wiring at the emergency 
switch caused the malfunction. In this configuration, the ``smoke in 
the cockpit'' procedure described in the RFM does not isolate the 
equipment electrical power supply.

Related Service Information

    ECF has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 24A012, dated 
April 22, 2010 (EASB), which specifies modifying the emergency switch

[[Page 53327]]

electrical wiring and testing the wiring for correct operation of the 
emergency switch. EASA classified this EASB as mandatory and issued AD 
No. 2010-0078-E, dated April 23, 2010, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these helicopters.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, their technical 
representative, 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 helicopters of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    This AD uses ``hours time-in-service,'' and the EASA AD uses 
``flight hours.''

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this AD is being issued 
to correct the electrical wiring to allow the isolation of electrical 
equipment in the event of an emergency and to prevent an uncontrolled 
electrical fire and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This 
AD requires, before further flight, inserting the appendix from the 
EASB, paragraph 3.5., ``SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT/CARGO,'' into the 
``Emergency Procedure'' section of the RFM. This AD also requires 
within 15 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs first, modifying the 
emergency switch electrical wiring by reversing the wires and ground 
testing the modified electrical wiring. Modifying the emergency switch 
wiring, obtaining successful ground test results indicating proper 
operation of the emergency switch, and removing the RFM emergency 
procedure inserted in compliance with this AD constitutes terminating 
action for the requirements of this AD.
    The short compliance time involved is required because the 
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
continued safe flight of the helicopter. Therefore, before further 
flight, inserting the emergency procedure appendix into the RFM from 
the EASB is required. Also, modifying the emergency switch electrical 
wiring, performing ground tests to confirm correct operation of the 
emergency switch, and removing the emergency procedure appendix from 
the RFM are required within 15 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs 
first, a short compliance time, and this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 20 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per 
helicopter to modify the wiring and to do a ground test. The time 
required for inserting a page from the EASB into the RFM is minimal. 
The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. The wiring will cost about 
$17 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators will be $2,040 for the fleet or $102 per 
helicopter.

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. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0859; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-SW-052-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 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of the 
docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You 
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

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 AD docket 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

    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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

[[Page 53328]]

2011-17-13 EUROCOPTER FRANCE: Amendment 39-16777; Docket No. FAA-
2011-0859; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-052-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC120B helicopters, serial number (S/N) 
1500, 1511 through 1630, 1632, 1634, and 1636, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent nonisolation of electrical equipment creating the 
risk of an uncontrolled electrical fire, do the following:
    (a) Before further flight, insert the ``Appendix'' from the 
Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 24A012, dated April 
22, 2010 (EASB), paragraph 3.5., ``SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT/CARGO,'' 
into the Emergency Procedure section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual 
(RFM). After complying with paragraph (b) of this AD, remove the 
Appendix from the RFM.
    (b) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days, whichever 
occurs first, modify the emergency switch electrical wiring by 
reversing the wires as depicted in Figure 2 and by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1 through 2.B.3, of the 
EASB. Ground test the modified electrical wiring by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.4, of the EASB.
    (c) Modifying the emergency switch wiring, obtaining successful 
ground test results indicating proper operation of the emergency 
switch, and removing the RFM emergency procedure inserted in 
complying with paragraph (a) of this AD constitutes terminating 
action for the requirements of this AD.
    (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, Safety Management Group, ATTN: George Schwab, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 
76137; telephone: (817-222-5114); fax: 817-222-5961, for information 
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (e) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 2497: 
Electrical Power System Wiring.
    (f) Modify the electrical wiring and perform the ground tests by 
following specified portions of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 24A012, dated April 22, 2010. 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, TX 75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 
641-3710, or at http://www.eurocopter.com. Copies may be inspected 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas, or 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 12, 2011.

    Note:  The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2010-0078-E, dated April 23, 2010.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 5, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21473 Filed 8-25-11; 8:45 am]
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