[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 97 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27483-27484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12688]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-59-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and 
L1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and L1 
helicopters. This proposal would require replacing certain electrical 
modules with airworthy electrical modules. This proposal is prompted by 
the discovery of several defective electrical modules. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical 
continuity, which could cause loss of critical systems and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-59-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas. Comments may be inspected at this location between 
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McCallister, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, 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-59-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-59-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and L1 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of the discovery of malfunctions due to 
faulty ``CONNECTRAL'' modules on electrical circuits of a Super Puma 
AS332 helicopter.
    Eurocopter France issued Service Bulletin No. 01.00.51, dated May 
4, 1998 (S/B), for Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters. The S/B 
specifies inspecting and replacing each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical 
module manufactured from week 95/16 to week 96/21. The manufacturing 
code identifies the year and week of module production. The electrical 
modules identified by a white dot on the face are airworthy and do not 
need to be replaced. The DGAC classified this S/B as mandatory and 
issued AD No. 98-254-070(A), dated July 1, 1998, 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 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 AS332C, L, and L1 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States, 
the proposed AD would require replacing each ``CONNECTRAL'' green 
electrical module that has a manufacturing code 95/16 through 96/21 
engraved on a side with an airworthy electrical module. Those 
manufacturing codes identify modules manufactured between the beginning 
of the 16th week of 1995 and the end of the 21st week of 1996. 
Replacing the electrical modules identified with a white dot on the 
face is not required because the manufacturer has verified the proper 
functioning of these units.
    The FAA estimates that three helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 320 work 
hours per helicopter to replace all affected modules. The average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately 
$23,484, but the helicopter manufacturer has stated that the parts will 
be provided at no cost. Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $57,600 to 
replace all affected modules.
    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

[[Page 27484]]

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-59-AD.
    Applicability: Model AS332C, L, and L1 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 
otherwise 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 
within the next 3 calendar months, whichever occurs first, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent loss of electrical continuity, which could cause loss 
of critical systems, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove and replace each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical 
module that does not have a white dot on the face and that has a 
manufacturing code 95/16 through 96/21 engraved on a side, with an 
airworthy electrical module. Those manufacturing codes identify 
modules manufactured between the beginning of the 16th week of 1995 
and the end of the 21st week of 1996.

    Note 2: Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.51, dated 
May 4, 1998, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (b) 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 Certification Office, 
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 Certification 
Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (c) 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 98-254-070(A), dated 
July 1, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 12, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12688 Filed 5-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P