[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36623-36624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17176]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-13-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) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, 
and L1 helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting and 
replacing certain bolts that secure the hoist arm lower fitting. This 
proposal is prompted by a report of a failure of the bolts that secure 
the hoist arm lower fitting during a factory load test. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
bolts that secure the hoist arm lower fitting, separation of components 
from the helicopter, impact with the main or tail rotor, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 7, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-13-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: Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, 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. 99-SW-13-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. 99-SW-13-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, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and L1 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of the failure during a load test of 
certain incorrect bolts that were used to secure the hoist arm lower 
fittings.
    Eurocopter France has issued Telex No. 00069, dated November 3, 
1998, for Model AS 332C, L, and L1 helicopters that are not modified in 
accordance with modification AMS 0722955 to inspect each bolt that 
secures the hoist arm lower fitting to ensure that the correct bolt, 
part number (P/N) 22201BE080020L, is installed rather than the 
incorrect bolt, P/N 22201BC080017L. The DGAC classified this Telex as 
mandatory and issued AD 98-487-072(A), dated December 2, 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 has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed 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 AS332C, L, and L1 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States, 
the proposed AD would require inspecting the bolts that secure the 
hoist arm lower fitting and replacing each incorrect bolt, P/N 
22201BC080017L, with an airworthy bolt, P/N 22201BE080020L.
    The FAA estimates that four helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1.5 work 
hours to inspect and replace the bolts per helicopter, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $50 for four bolts. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$560.

[[Page 36624]]

    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 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. 99-SW-13-AD.
    Applicability: Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters, that are not 
modified in accordance with modification AMS 0722955, 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 prior to the next use of the hoist, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the bolts that secure the hoist arm lower 
fitting, separation of components from the helicopter, impact with 
the main or tail rotors, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the four bolts that secure the hoist arm lower 
fitting.
    (b ) Inspect each bolt as follows:
    (1) Measure each bolt shank from beneath the bolt head to the 
shank end;
    (2) Determine the part number (P/N) of the bolt; and
    (3) Determine what engraved marking is present on the bolt head.
    (c) Each bolt, P/N 22201BE080020L, inspected in accordance with 
paragraph (b), measuring 20 mm in length and having ``BE'' engraved 
on the bolt head may be reinstalled if otherwise airworthy.
    (d) Any bolt inspected in accordance with paragraph (b), not 
measuring 20 mm in length and having ``BC'' or letters other than 
``BE'' engraved on the bolt head must be replaced. Replace with an 
airworthy bolt, P/N 22201BE080020L, that measures 20 mm in length 
and has ``BE'' engraved on the bolt head.
    (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 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (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 (France) AD No. 98-487-072(A), dated 
December 2, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 28, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-17176 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P