[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11764-11765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5725]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-11068; AD 99-06-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, and 
L1, and L2 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, L1, and L2 
helicopters that requires replacing certain circuit breakers. This 
amendment 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 this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical 
power caused by improper installation of certain circuit breakers, loss 
of electical power to instrumentation, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective April 14, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 14, 1999.

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: 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, L1, and L2 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on June 
23, 1998 (63 FR 34135). That action proposed to require inspection of 
any Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, part number (P/N) 84 400 028 
through 84 400 037, and replacement of all circuit breakers that have 
any loss of electrical continuity.
    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 3 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 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 
$5,750 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $17,790.
    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:

[[Page 11765]]

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 99-06-04  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11068. 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.
    (f) The inspection shall be done in accordance with the 
operational procedures in paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.49, 
dated June 30, 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, 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.

    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.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 14, 1999.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 1, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5725 Filed 3-9-99; 8:45 am]
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