[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]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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