[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10783-10785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5734]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-06-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA 330F, G, and 
J 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 Model SA 330F, 
G, and J helicopters. This proposal would require verifying the torque 
on the nut that secures the two transformer-rectifiers' common ground; 
and subsequently installing a modification to separate the grounds of 
the two transformer-rectifiers. This proposal is prompted by a report 
from the airworthiness authority of France about an unsafe condition 
resulting from the loss of the common ground of the two transformer-
rectifiers. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent loss of the common ground of the two transformer-rectifiers, 
which could result in a complete electrical failure (essential and 
secondary), loss of electrically-powered instrumentation, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-06-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 Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert McCallister, Aerospace 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, phone (817) 222-5121, 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

[[Page 10784]]

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-06-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. 97-SW-06-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 SA 330F, G, and J 
helicopters. The DGAC advises that there have been reports of the loss 
of the common ground of the two transformer-rectifiers caused by loss 
of clamping torque on the nut that secures the common ground.
    Eurocopter France has issued SA 330 Service Bulletin No. 01.53, 
Revision 1, dated March 13, 1997, which specifies checking the 
tightness of the transformer-rectifiers common ground nut, as well as 
installing a modification to separate the grounds. The DGAC classified 
this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD No. 96-173-077(B)R1, 
dated April 23, 1996 (effective date May 3, 1997), in order to assure 
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in France.
    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 330F, G, and J 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States, 
which do not have Modification 0725580 or 0725681 installed, the 
proposed AD would require, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
the effective date of this AD, ensuring that the nut, part number (P/N) 
22541N080, that secures the common ground of the transformer-rectifiers 
is properly torqued; and, within 500 hours TIS after the effective date 
of this AD, installing Eurocopter France modification (MOD) No. 0725580 
or 0725681 to separate the grounds of the two transformer-rectifiers. 
Installation of the applicable modification is considered a terminating 
action for the requirements of this AD. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 1 helicopter of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.5 work 
hour to verify or accomplish the retorque of the nut, 2 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the proposed modifications, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts for the 
modification would cost approximately $70 per helicopter. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $220.
    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. 96-SW-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA 330F, G, and J 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 prevent loss of the common ground of the two transformer-
rectifiers, which could result in a complete electrical failure 
(essential and secondary), loss of electrically-powered 
instrumentation, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), ensure that the nut, 
part number (P/N) 22541N080, that secures the common ground of the 
transformer-rectifiers is properly torqued in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter France SA 330 Service 
Bulletin No. 01.53R1, dated March 13, 1997.
    (b) Within 500 hours TIS, install Eurocopter France Modification 
No. 0725580 or 0725681, as applicable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter France SA 330 Service 
Bulletin No. 01.53R1, dated March 13, 1997. Installation of 
Modification No. 0725580 or 0725681, as applicable, is considered a 
terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that

[[Page 10785]]

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.

    (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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 96-173-077(B)R1, dated 
April 23, 1996.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 26, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5734 Filed 3-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U