[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 9, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11375-11376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5726]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 45 / Tuesday, March 9, 1999 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 11375]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-64-AD; Amendment 39-11067; AD 99-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS-365N, N1, 
and N2 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-365N, N1, and N2 helicopters, 
that requires inspecting the helicopter to determine if a certain main 
rotor head frequency adapter (frequency adapter) is installed and, if 
so, replacing it with an airworthy frequency adapter. This amendment is 
prompted by a report of disbonding of the metal center section of a 
frequency adapter from the elastomer on a main rotor head caused by a 
lack of adherence during the production process. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent increased vibrations caused by 
disbonding of the center section of a frequency adapter from the 
elastomer and subsequent reduced controllability of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 13, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS-365N, N1, and N2 helicopters 
was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 1998 (63 FR 30662). 
That action proposed to require inspecting for certain frequency 
adapters and if they are installed, replacing them with airworthy 
frequency adapters.
    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 91 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$5,200 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $505,960.
    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 will 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 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 FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-
SW-64-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 
(AD) to read as follows:

AD 99-06-03  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11067. Docket No. 97-
SW-64-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS-365N, N1, and N2 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
or 6 calendar months, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent vibrations caused by disbonding of the center section 
of a frequency adapter from the elastomer on the main rotor head and 
subsequent reduced controllability of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Determine the part number, serial number, and date of 
manufacture of the main rotor head frequency adapter (frequency 
adapter).
    (b) If a frequency adapter part number (P/N) 704A33-640-031 
(E1T2624-01A), or delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-

[[Page 11376]]

1858-01, manufactured before April 1, 1991, with a serial number (S/
N) equal to or less than 8188, or P/N 704A33-640-046 (E1T3023-01), 
or delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-02, manufactured 
before April 1, 1991, with a S/N equal to or less than 3122, is 
installed, remove the frequency adapter and replace it with an 
airworthy frequency adapter.
    Note 2: Eurocopter France AS 365 Service Bulletin No. 01.00.44, 
dated May 9, 1996, pertains to the subject 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, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Rotorcraft Standards Staff. 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 3: 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) This amendment becomes effective on April 13, 1999.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction General 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 96-117-040(B), dated June 19, 1996.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 1, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5726 Filed 3-8-99; 8:45 am]
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