[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53326-53328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing 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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