[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10349-10351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5354]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-25-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS-350B, BA, 
B1, B2, and D, and Model AS-355E, F, F1, F2, and N 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 (Eurocopter) 
Model AS-350B, BA, B1, B2, and D, and Model AS-355E, F, F1, F2, and N 
helicopters. This proposal would require inspections of the main 
gearbox suspension bi-directional cross-beam (cross-beam) for cracks, 
and replacement of the cross-beam if a crack is found. This proposal is 
prompted by several reports of cracks in the cross-beam. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to provide a terminating 
action to prevent failure of the cross-beam that could cause the main 
gearbox to pivot, resulting in severe vibrations and a subsequent 
forced landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 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-25-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 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. 97-SW-25-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. 97-SW-25-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 Model AS-350B, BA, B1, 
B2, and D, and Model AS-355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters. The DGAC 
advises that cracks were discovered in the cross-beam. The DGAC issued 
AD 96-156-

[[Page 10350]]

071(B), dated July 31, 1996, applicable to Model AS-350 helicopters, 
and AD 96-155-053(B), dated July 31, 1996, applicable to Model AS-355 
helicopters. The DGAC subsequently issued AD 96-156-071(B)R1, 
applicable to Model AS-350 helicopters, and AD 96-155-053(B)R1, 
applicable to Model AS-355 helicopters, both dated June 4, 1998.
    Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.28, applicable to Model AS-350 helicopters, and Eurocopter 
Service Bulletin No. 05.00.29, applicable to Model AS-355 helicopters, 
both dated May 26, 1996, and both of which specify repetitive checks of 
the cross-beam for cracks, and replacement with an airworthy cross-beam 
of any cross-beam in which a crack is found.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in France and are 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 AS-350B, BA, B1, B2, 
and D, and Model AS-355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters of the same type 
design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require 
visual and dye-penetrant inspections of the cross-beam for cracks, and 
replacement with an airworthy cross-beam if a crack is found.
    The FAA estimates that 454 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.5 work 
hour per helicopter to accomplish each visual inspection with an 
estimated average of 150 visual inspections per helicopter, and 3 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the dye-penetrant inspection, and 6 
work hours per helicopter to replace the cross-beam, if necessary, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Parts costs would be 
approximately $6,000 per cross-beam. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$5,012,160 to perform an average of 150 visual inspections and one dye-
penetrant inspection per helicopter, and to replace the cross-beam on 
all 454 helicopters.
    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 France: Docket No. 97-SW-25-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS-350B, BA, B1, B2, and D, and Model AS-
355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, with main gearbox suspension bi-
directional cross-beam (cross-beam), part number (P/N) 350A38-1018-
all dash numbers, installed, 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 (d) 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 prevent failure of the main gearbox diagonal cross-beam that 
could lead to rotation of the main gearbox, resulting in severe 
vibrations and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For cross-beams having 2,000 or more hours time-in-service 
(TIS) or 10,000 or more operating cycles:

    Note 2: The Master Service Recommendations and the flight log 
contain accepted procedures that are used to determine the 
cumulative operating cycles on the rotorcraft.

    (1) Within 30 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 30 hours TIS or 150 operating 
cycles, visually inspect the cross-beam for cracks in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.28, applicable to Model AS-350 helicopters, and Eurocopter 
France Service Bulletin No. 05.00.29, applicable to Model AS-355 
helicopters, both dated May 26, 1997.
    (2) If a crack is found as a result of the inspections required 
by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, remove the cross-beam and replace it 
with an airworthy cross-beam.
    (b) For cross-beams having 5,000 or more hours TIS:
    (1) Within 550 hours TIS or 2,750 operating cycles, whichever 
occurs first, after compliance with paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, 
perform a dye-penetrant inspection in accordance with paragraph 
2.B.2 of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 05.00.28, applicable 
to Model AS-350 helicopters, and Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.29, applicable to Model AS-355 helicopters, both dated May 26, 
1996.
    (2) If a crack is found as a result of the inspections required 
by paragraphs (b)(1) of this AD, remove the cross-beam and replace 
it with an airworthy cross-beam.
    (c) Prior to installing any replacement cross-beams, regardless 
of TIS, inspect the replacement cross-beam in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(1) of this AD.
    (d) 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

[[Page 10351]]

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.

    (e) 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 96-156-071(B)R1 and AD 96-
155-053(B)R1, both dated June 4, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 24, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5354 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U