[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 120 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34135-34136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16613]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-01-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1 
and L2 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, L1, and L2 helicopters. This proposal would require replacing 
certain circuit breakers. This proposal is prompted by the manufacturer 
discovering, upon testing a circuit breaker installed in a helicopter, 
the loss of electrical continuity between the terminals of the 
installed circuit breaker. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent loss of electrical power caused by improper 
installation of certain circuit breakers causing deterioration in the 
operation of the circuit breakers, loss of instrumentation, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-01-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. Robert McCallister, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (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 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. 98-SW-01-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. 98-SW-01-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 332C, L, L1, 
and L2 helicopters. The DGAC advises of the loss of continuity on 
certain single-pole circuit breakers.
    Eurocopter France has issued Service Bulletin No. 01.00-49, dated 
June 30, 1997, (SB) for Models AS 332C, L, L1, and L2 to inspect 
Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, Part Number (P/N) 84 400 028 
through 84 400 037, and to replace all circuit breakers that have any 
loss of electrical continuity. The DGAC classified this SB as mandatory 
and issued DGAC AD's 97-202-062(AB) and 97-201-007(AB), both dated 
August 27, 1997, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters in France.
    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 332C, L, L1, and 
L2 helicopters of the same type design

[[Page 34136]]

registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require 
inspection of any Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, P/N 84 400 028 
through 84 400 037, and replacement of all circuit breakers that have 
any loss of electrical continuity. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
    The FAA estimates that three helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately three 
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 $5,750 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$17,790.
    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. 98-SW-01-AD.

    Applicability: Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, and L2 
Helicopters, with Crouzet circuit breaker, Part Number (P/N) 84 400 
028 through 84 400 037, 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 loss of electrical power, loss of instrumentation, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) On or before 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the 
next 3 calendar months, whichever occurs first,
    (1) For Model AS 332C, L, and L1, inspect the circuit breakers 
listed in paragraph 1.D.1) of the Planning Information in Eurocopter 
France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.49, dated June 30, 1997 (SB) 
according to the operational procedure in paragraph 2.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the SB;
    (2) For Model AS 332L2, inspect the circuit breakers fitted to 
the DC power system, the 20 kVA and 30 kVA AC master box, the 
emergency flotation gear, and the second battery according to the 
operational procedure in paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the SB.
    (b) On or before 500 hours TIS or 6 calendar months, whichever 
occurs first, inspect all remaining circuit breakers in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the SB.
    (c) Except for circuit breaker type 84-402(x), after compliance 
with paragraph (a) of this AD, any replacement circuit breaker 
installed, or any circuit breaker removed and reinstalled, must be 
inspected prior to further flight according to the operational 
procedure of paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the SB. Replacement of all circuit breakers with circuit breaker 
type 84-402(x) is 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, 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.

    (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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 97-202-062(AB) and 97-201-
007(AB), both dated August 27, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 16, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16613 Filed 6-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P