[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27584]
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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: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) (Eurocopter Deutschland) Model BO 105
C and BO 105 S helicopters. That action would have required 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. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has determined that the modification proposed is
only necessary for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) configurations, and
since there is no IFR FAA type-design approval for the affected models,
it is unnecessary to issue an AD.
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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add a new airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland Model BO 105 C and
BO 105 S helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on February
13, 1997 (62 FR 6746). The proposed rule would have required 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 for the affected helicopters. That action was prompted
by an in-service report of a helicopter that experienced a generator
overvoltage. The proposed actions were intended to prevent failure of
essential electrical equipment that could result in spatial
disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has determined that the
need for overvoltage protection is associated with the IFR requirement
to have certain avionics available; however, there is no FAA IFR type-
design approval for the affected models, therefore there is no type
design model on which to issue an AD.
Upon further consideration and review of this new data, the FAA has
determined that the unsafe condition no longer exists and is extremely
unlikely to develop. Accordingly, the proposed rule is hereby
withdrawn.
Withdrawal of this notice of proposed rulemaking constitutes only
such action, and does not preclude the agency from issuing another
notice in the future, nor does it commit the agency to any course of
action in the future.
Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking,
it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore, is not covered
under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Withdrawal
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. 96-SW-
21-AD, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 1997 (62 FR
6746), is withdrawn.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27584 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
