[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34746-34747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16477]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-26-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-360C, SA-
365C, C1, C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 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) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-360C, 
SA-365C, C1, C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. This 
proposal would require inspecting and, if necessary, replacing certain 
circuit breakers. This proposal is prompted by the manufacturer 
discovering the loss of electrical continuity between the terminals of 
a circuit breaker. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent loss of electrical power, loss of instrumentation, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 30, 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-26-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carroll Wright, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5120, 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-26-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-26-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, has notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, 
C2, AS-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. The DGAC advises 
of the loss of electrical continuity on certain single-pole circuit 
breakers.
    Eurocopter France has issued three service bulletins, all dated 
December 11, 1997. Service Bulletin No. 01.36 is applicable to Model 
SA-360/365C, C1, and C2 helicopters; Service Bulletin No. 01.24 is 
applicable to Model SA-366G1 helicopters; and Service Bulletin 01.00.45 
is applicable to Model AS-365N, N1, and N2 helicopters. All of these 
service bulletins specify inspecting Crouzet single-pole circuit 
breakers, Part Number (P/N) 84-400-028 through P/N 84-400-037, and 
replacing all circuit breakers that have any loss of electrical 
continuity. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory 
and issued AD 98-111-021(A), AD 98-112-042(A), and AD 98-113-043(A), 
all dated March 11, 1998, in order to assure 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 has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of these type designs 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 SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, 
C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters of the same type 
design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require 
inspecting of any Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, P/N 84-400-028 
through P/N 84-400-037, and replacing all circuit breakers that have a 
loss of electrical continuity. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 136 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.5 work 
hour per helicopter to accomplish the inspection and replacement, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would 
cost approximately $23 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $7,208.
    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

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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 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-26-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-
365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters, with Crouzet single-pole circuit 
breaker, part number (P/N) 84-400-028 through P/N 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 
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 (e) 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 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) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 3 
calendar months, whichever occurs first,
    (1) For Model SA-360C, and SA-365C, C1, and C2 helicopters, 
inspect the electrical master box assembly, flotation gear unit 
assembly, and ground receptacle Crouzet circuit breakers for 
electrical continuity in accordance with section 2B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions contained in Eurocopter France Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. 01.36, dated December 11, 1997.
    (2) For Model SA-365N, N1, and AS-365N2 helicopters, inspect the 
electrical master box assembly, flotation gear unit assembly, and 
ground receptacle Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers for 
electrical continuity in accordance with section 2B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions contained in SB No. 01.00.45, dated 
December 11, 1997.
    (3) For Model SA-366G1 helicopters, inspect the electrical 
master box assembly, flotation gear unit assembly, and ground 
receptacle Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers for electrical 
continuity in accordance with section 2B of the Accomplishment 
Instructions contained in SB 01.24, dated December 11, 1997.
    (b) On or before 500 hours TIS or 6 calendar months, whichever 
occurs first, inspect all remaining Crouzet single-pole circuit 
breakers in accordance with section 2B of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable SB.
    (c) Any replacement single-pole circuit breaker installed, or 
any single-pole circuit breaker removed and reinstalled, must be 
inspected prior to further flight in accordance with paragraph 2.B. 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable SB.
    (d) Remove any affected part-numbered circuit breaker and 
replace with an airworthy circuit breaker on or before December 31, 
1999.
    (e) 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.

    (f) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile AD 98-112-042(A), AD 98-113-043(A), 
and AD 98-111-021(A), all dated March 11, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 22, 1999.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-16477 Filed 6-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U