[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42295-42296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20064]



[[Page 42295]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-60-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-
365N1, and AS-365N2 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 SA-365N, SA-365N1, 
and AS-365N2 helicopters. This proposal would require replacing certain 
defective 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 rotorcraft electrical systems and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 4, 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-60-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-60-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-60-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 SA-365N, SA-
365N1, and AS-365N2 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. 01.00.47R1, dated 
December 18, 1998 (S/B), for Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2 
helicopters. The S/B specifies inspecting each ``CONNECTRAL'' green 
electrical module manufactured from week 95/16 through week 96/21. The 
manufacturing code identifies the year and week of module production. 
The connectral modules manufactured from week 95/16 to week 96/21 and 
identified by a white spot on the front face are not subject to the 
requirements of the S/B. The DGAC classified this S/B as mandatory and 
issued AD No. 1998-253-044(A)R1, dated February 10, 1999, 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 
Sec. 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 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-365N, SA-365N1, 
and AS-365N2 helicopters of the same type design registered in the 
United States, the proposed AD would require replacing each 
``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical module that does not have a white dot 
on the face and that has a manufacturing code of 95/16 through 96/21 
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 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 41 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 300 work 
hours to replace all affected modules, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $29,520, 
but the helicopter manufacturer has stated that the parts would 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 $738,000 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 under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft

[[Page 42296]]

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-60-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2 
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 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 200 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 rotorcraft electrical 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 of 95/16 through 96/21 with an airworthy 
electrical module.

    Note 2: Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.47R1, dated 
December 18, 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 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
    (c) 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No.1998-253-044(A)R1, 
dated February 10, 1999.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 28, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20064 Filed 8-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U