[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25182-25183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12112]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-36-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, and 
L1 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 AS 332C, 
L, and L1 helicopters. This proposal would require replacing main rotor 
blades with modified main rotor blades. This proposal is prompted by 
reports of an investigation that found broken braids on main rotor 
blade de-icers. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended 
to prevent loss of the de-icing capabilities of the main rotor blades, 
adverse performance during flight in icing conditions, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 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-36-Ad, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Forth 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, Forth 
Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert McCallister, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Forth Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5121, fax 
(812) 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-36-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-36-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 AS 332C, L, and L1 
helicopters. The DGAC advises that replacing the de-icers on these 
helicopters is necessary to prevent loss of the de-icing function due 
to damaged electric return braids.
    Eurocopter France has issued Telex Service Number (No.) 10002, 
dated January 17, 1994, which specifies modification of the main rotor 
blade within specified time intervals. The DGAC classified the 
Technical Directive No. 230 referenced in the telex as mandatory and 
issued AD 95-029-054(B) 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

[[Page 25183]]

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 AS 332C,L, and L1 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States, 
the proposed AD would require replacing main rotor blades with modified 
main rotor blades. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplished the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be 
provided at no cost by the manufacturer. Based on these figures the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $1200 per helicopter.
    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 Rule 
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-36-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS 332C, L, and L1 helicopters, with main 
rotor blades, part number (P/N) 332A11-030-03 or 332A11-030-04, 
installed, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicable 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 de-icing capabilities of the main rotor 
blades, adverse performance during flight in icing conditions, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) From available helicopter records, within the next 10 
calendar days, determine the time-in-service (TIS) on each main 
rotor blade.
    (b) Replace each main rotor blade with a main rotor blade that 
has been modified and reidentified in accordance with Eurocopter 
Technical Instruction Number (No.) 230b (referenced in Telex Service 
No. 10002, dated January 17, 1994) in accordance with the following 
schedule:
    (1) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 2,000 hours, replace 
within the next 50 hours TIS.
    (2) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 1,850 hours and less 
than 2,000 hours, replace on or before attaining 2,050 hours TIS.
    (3) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 1,500 hours and less 
than 1,850 hours, replace within the next 200 hours TIS.
    (4) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 1,400 hours and less 
than 1,500 hours, replace on or before attaining 1,700 hours TIS.
    (5) If the TIS is greater than 700 hours and less than 1,400 
hours, replace within the next 300 hours TIS.
    (6) If the TIS is equal to or less than 700 hours, replace 
within the next 1,000 hours TIS.
    (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 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 DGAC (France) AD 
95-029-054(B), dated February 1, 1995.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 29, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12112 Filed 5-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M