[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6746-6747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3533]
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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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY:This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD)
(Eurocopter) Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S helicopters. This proposal
would require 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. This proposal is
prompted by an in-service report of a helicopter that experienced a
generator overvoltage. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent failure of essential electrical equipment that
could result in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 14, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on Eurocopter Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S helicopters. The LBA
advises that the voltage regulators installed during production cannot
prevent the failure of avionic instruments caused by generator
overvoltage in the aircraft power supply.
Eurocopter has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin ASB-BO-105-80-
119, dated November 7, 1994, which specifies retrofitting affected
helicopters with a voltage regulator incorporating overvoltage
protection. The retrofit action includes installing two switches in the
cockpit overhead panel so that generators that are switched off as a
result of overvoltage can be switched on again individually. Eurocopter
also issued Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB-BO-105-80-118,
Revision 1, dated November 29, 1995, that introduced a compliance time.
The LBA classified
[[Page 6747]]
this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 95-458, dated December
5, 1995 in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
helicopters in Germany.
This helicopter model is manufactured in Germany and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
LBA, 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.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Eurocopter Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States,
the proposed AD would require 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. The actions
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service
bulletin described previously.
The FAA estimates that 100 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 14 work
hours to accomplish the modification, one-half work hour to accomplish
the functional test, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $14,317 per helicopter.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,518,700.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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:
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD): Docket No. 96-SW-21-AD.
Applicability: Model BO 105 C and BO 105 S helicopters, serial
number (S/N) 161 and higher, equipped with a voltage regulator, part
number (P/N) 511565-000R, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required within the next 120 calendar days after the
effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent failure of essential electrical equipment that could
result in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the main relay box and the cockpit overhead panel,
and perform the functional test in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) ASB-BO-105-80-119, dated November 7, 1994.
(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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,
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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 5, 1997.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3533 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
