[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34803-34804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17042]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-06-AD; Amendment 39-10631; AD 98-13-40]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA 330F, G, and 
J 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 Model SA 330F, G, and J helicopters, 
that requires 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 amendment 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 this 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: Effective July 31, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Carroll Wright, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Regulations Group, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5120, 
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 France Model SA 330F, 
G, and J helicopters was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 
1998 (63 FR 10783). That action proposed to 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.
    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.
    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 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 34804]]

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 98-13-40  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-10631. Docket No. 97-
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 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 
Secs. 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.
    (e) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter France SA 330 Service 
Bulletin No. 01.53R1, dated March 13, 1997. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, 
Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 31, 1998.

    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 June 18, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17042 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U