[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45753-45754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21748]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-SW-22-AD; Amendment 39-12425; AD 2001-17-33]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta Model AB412 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
Agusta Model AB412 helicopters. This action prohibits use of the hoist
until certain modifications are accomplished. This amendment is
prompted by the loss of a hoist hook during flight due to an
uncommanded firing of the cable cutter cartridge caused by wire
chafing. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent wire
chafing, inadvertent firing of the cable cutter cartridge, loss of a
hoist hook and section of cable, impact with the main or tail rotor,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective September 14, 2001.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 14, 2001.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 29, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-22-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically
to the Rules Docket at the following address: 9-asw-adcomments@faa.gov.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy, Via Giovanni Agusta
520, telephone 39 (0331) 229111, fax 39 (0331) 229605-222595. This
information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McCallister, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5121, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile
(ENAC), the airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on Agusta Model AB412 helicopters. ENAC
advises that they have issued an AD that requires compliance with
Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico 412-83, Revision A, dated December 29,
2000 (ABT). The ABT specifies, before further flight, removing the
hoist cable cutter cartridge and subsequently inspecting/modifying the
hoist cable cut harness. ENAC classified this ABT as mandatory and
issued AD 2001-001, dated January 2, 2001, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters in Italy.
This helicopter model is manufactured in Italy and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral agreement, the ENAC has kept the FAA informed of the
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
ENAC, 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.
We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on other Agusta Model AB412 helicopters of the same type design
registered in the United States. Therefore, this AD is being issued to
prevent wire chafing, inadvertent firing of the cable cutter cartridge,
loss of a hoist hook and section of cable, cable impact with the main
or tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The
actions must be accomplished in accordance with the ABT described
previously.
None of the Model AB412 helicopters affected by this action are on
the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in the applicability of
this rule are currently operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these
helicopters are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour.
[[Page 45754]]
Required parts would be negligible because the materials are common
stock. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $120
per helicopter.
Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is
currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the
substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made:
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-SW-22-AD.'' The postcard will be date
stamped and returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein 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, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
The FAA has determined that notice and prior public comment are
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation; therefore, it can be
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States.
The FAA has also determined that this regulation is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined
further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If
it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
2001-17-33 Agusta: Amendment 39-12425. Docket No. 2001-SW-22-AD.
Applicability: Model AB412 helicopters, certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent wire chafing, inadvertent firing of the cable cutter
cartridge, loss of a hoist hook and section of cable, impact with
the main or tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before operating the hoist or within 60 days, whichever
occurs first, inspect and modify the wire harness in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico
412-83, Revision A, dated December 29, 2000, which constitutes
terminating action for the requirements of this AD. Hoist operations
allowed by the note in the Accomplishment Instructions utilizing a
manual cable cutter are not authorized.
(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, Regulations Group, 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, Regulations Group.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Regulations Group.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter without any hoist
operation to a location where the requirements of this AD can be
accomplished.
(d) The inspection and modification shall be done in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions (except the note is not
required by this AD) of Alert Bollettino Technico 412-83, Revision
A, dated December 29, 2000. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy, Via Giovanni
Agusta 520, telephone 39 (0331) 229111, fax 39 (0331) 229605-222595.
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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective September 14, 2001.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Ente Nazionale
per l'Aviazione Civile (Italy) AD 2001-001, dated January 2, 2001.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 17, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21748 Filed 8-29-01; 8:45 am]
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