[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59695-59696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-36-AD; Amendment 39-10868; AD 98-23-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

DATES: Effective December 10, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 10, 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. 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: 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 AS 332C, 
L, and L1 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on May 7, 
1998 (63 FR 25182). That action proposed to require replacing main 
rotor blades with modified main rotor blades.
    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 except for a change in the Technical 
Instructions referenced from number 230b to 230c. This change was made 
because the new Technical Instructions add a clarifying note and figure 
useful in accomplishing the requirements of this AD. The FAA has 
determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required 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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3600 per 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 98-23-04  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-10868. 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 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.


[[Page 59696]]


    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 230c, approved May 17, 1995, 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.
    (e) The main rotor blade replacements shall be done in 
accordance with Eurocopter Technical Instruction Number 230 c 
approved May 17, 1995. 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, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. 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 December 10, 1998.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed Direction Generale 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 95-029-054(B), dated February 1, 
1995.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 27, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-29377 Filed 11-4-98; 8:45 am]
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