[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 232 (Wednesday, December 3, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63912-63914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31614]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Formerly 
Aerospatiale, Society Nationale Industrielle, Sud Aviation) Model SA-
365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 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 France (formerly 
Aerospatiale, Society Nationale Industrielle, Sud Aviation) Model SA-
365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. This proposal would 
require an inspection of the transmission deck for cracks; repair of 
any cracked transmission decks; and replacement of the transmission 
deck support beams (support beams) with redesigned support beams. This 
proposal is prompted by several reports of cracks in the transmission 
deck and support beams. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to detect cracks that reduce the strength of the main gearbox 
strut attachment and could result in failure of the main gearbox 
mounting, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-SW-22-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, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, ASW-111, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas

[[Page 63913]]

76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, 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-22-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 Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-
365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. The DGAC advises that cracks were 
discovered in one of the two support beams under the transmission deck 
and in the transmission deck itself.
    Eurocopter France has issued Telex Service No. 10011, dated 
February 24, 1995, which specifies checks for cracks in the 
transmission deck and transmission deck support beams, to be 
accomplished within 50 hours following receipt of the Telex Service. 
The Telex Service applies to affected aircraft that have 4,000 or more 
flying hours. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued AD 95-067-038(B), and AD 95-068-017(B), both dated April 12, 
1995, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters in France.
    Subsequently, Eurocopter France issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin 
05.00.36 on November 14, 1995. Eurocopter Service Bulletin 05.00.36 
recommends replacement of the current transmission support beams, part 
numbers (P/N) 365A21-3365-49 and 365A21-3365-CY with redesigned support 
beams P/N 365A21-3365-JE-01 and 365A21-3365-JF-01, at major maintenance 
intervals specified by the service bulletin.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in France 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 DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, 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 France Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, 
AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require inspections of the 
transmission deck, repair of any cracks that are found, and replacement 
of the support beams, P/N 365A21-3365-49 and 365A21-3365-CY, with 
redesigned support beams, P/N 365A21-3365-JE-01 and 365A21-3365-JF-01. 
For Model AS-365N2 helicopters, the inspections must be accomplished 
before or upon the accumulation of 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS), 
or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later. For Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters, 
the inspections must be accomplished upon the accumulation of 4,000 
hours TIS, or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later. The support beams must be replaced with 
reinforced beams whether or not cracks are found in the transmission 
deck or the currently installed support beams. If cracks are found in 
the transmission deck; the repairs must be accomplished.
    After any cracks that are found in the transmission deck have been 
repaired and after replacing the support beams, clean, prime, and paint 
the affected areas of the transmission deck and the replacement support 
beams in accordance with the referenced service information.
    The FAA estimates that 137 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 50 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $5,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,096,000.
    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:


[[Page 63914]]


    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 France (Formerly Aerospatiale, Society Nationale 
Industrielle, Sud Aviation): Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD.
    Applicability: Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 
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 
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 (c) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect cracks that reduce the strength of the main gearbox 
strut attachment and could result in failure of the main gearbox 
mounting, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) For Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters, on or 
before attaining 4,000 hours time-in-service (TIS), or within 50 
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later; and for Model SA-365N2 helicopters, on or before attaining 
2,000 hour TIS, or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later; perform the following:
    (1) Inspect the transmission deck for cracks using a dye-
penetrant inspection method, in accordance with paragraph BB of 
Eurocopter France Telex Service No. 10011, dated February 24, 1995. 
If a crack is found in the transmission deck, repair prior to 
further flight.

    Note 2: A FAA-approved repair solution can be initiated by 
contacting the American Eurocopter Technical Support Department, 
ATTN: Manager, telephone: 972-641-3460, fax: 972-641-3527.
    (2) Replace the currently installed transmission deck support 
beams, part numbers (P/N) 365A21-3365-49 and 365A21-3365-CY, with 
reinforced transmission deck support beams, P/N 365A21-3365-JE-01 
and 365A21-3365-JF-01, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 05.00.36, 
Rev. 1, dated December 16, 1996.
    (b) After completion of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, 
clean, prime and paint the affected areas of the transmission deck 
and the reinforced support beams in accordance with paragraph BB 2A 
of Eurocopter France Telex Service No. 10011, dated February 24, 
1995.
    (c) 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, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or 
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification 
Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (d) 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 95-068-017(B) and AD 95-
067-038(B), both dated April 12, 1995.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 24, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31614 Filed 12-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U