[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17676-17677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9476]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-21-AD; Amendment 39-10463; AD 98-08-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA 365N, N1 and 
AS 365N2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
applicable to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA-365N, N1 and AS-
365N2 helicopters that requires inspections of the main gearbox 
suspension diagonal cross-member (diagonal cross-member) for cracks, 
and removal of the diagonal cross-member and replacement with an 
airworthy diagonal cross-member if any crack is found. This amendment 
is prompted by several reports of the discovery of cracks in diagonal 
cross-members. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the diagonal cross-member which could cause the main gearbox 
to pivot, resulting in severe vibrations and a subsequent forced 
landing.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 15, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Model SA-365N, N1 and 
AS-365N2 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on December 
9, 1997 (62 FR 64785). That action proposed to require inspections of 
the diagonal cross-member for cracks, and to remove

[[Page 17677]]

any diagonal cross-member and to replace it with an airworthy diagonal 
cross-member if any crack is found.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed with the exception of some editorial 
changes. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 47 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately one work hour per 
helicopter to inspect the diagonal cross-member and 10 work hours per 
helicopter to replace the diagonal cross-member, if necessary, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $9,950. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $498,670, assuming one 
inspection per helicopter, and replacement of a diagonal cross-member 
on each helicopter.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

AD 98-08-14  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-10463. Docket No. 97-
SW-21-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-365N, N1, and AS-365N2 helicopter with 
main gearbox suspension diagonal cross-member (diagonal cross-
member), part number (P/N) 365A38-3023-20, -21, -23, or -24, 
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 diagonal cross-member, which could 
cause the main gearbox to pivot, resulting in severe vibrations and 
a subsequent forced landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) For Model SA-365N and N1 helicopters, prior to the 
accumulation of 50,000 operating cycles; and for Model AS-365N2 
helicopters, prior to the accumulation of 30,000 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) Inspect the diagonal cross-member for cracks in the area of 
the center bore hole, using a borescope with a 90 deg. angle drive, 
or a video assembly with optical fiber illumination, or any other 
appropriate device that makes it possible to visually inspect the 
center area of the part.
    (2) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a)(1) of this 
AD at intervals not to exceed 500 operating cycles, or 100 hours 
time-in-service, whichever occurs first.
    (b) If any crack is found as a result of the inspections 
required by paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, remove the 
diagonal cross-member and replace it with an airworthy diagonal 
cross-member.
    (c) Installation of modification MOD 073880 that installs a 
diagonal cross-member, P/N 356A38-3062-20, constitutes a terminating 
action for the requirements 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, 
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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 15, 1998.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 97-093-041(AB)R1, dated 
July 30, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 3, 1998.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9476 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U