[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 162 (Monday, August 23, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45929-45931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21847]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-78-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, 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 AS 332C, 
L, and L1 helicopters. This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection of the length of the main gearbox epicyclic module upper 
casing bearing attachment bolts (attachment bolts), and if they exceed 
a certain length, replacing the epicyclic module to preclude a 
potential interference between the attachment bolts and the 2nd stage

[[Page 45930]]

planet gear cage web. This proposal is prompted by a report of 
interference between the attachment bolts and the second stage planet 
gear cage web of the epicyclic module in the main gearbox. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
second stage planet gear of the main gearbox, loss of main rotor drive 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 22, 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-78-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.
    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, Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5296, 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-78-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-78-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 AS 332C, L, and L1 
helicopters. The DGAC advises that some attachments bolts may be too 
long and could interfere with the 2nd stage planet gear cage web.
    Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) No. 
01.41, dated November 1995 (95-11), applicable to Model AS 332 
helicopters, which specifies inspecting the attachment bolts for 
length, and replacing the epicyclic module before further flight if any 
attachment bolts are found that exceed 53mm (2.087 inches) in length. 
The DGAC classified this SB as mandatory and issued AD 93-131-051(B)R1, 
dated January 18, 1995, 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 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 AS 332C, L, and L1 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States, 
the proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the length of 
the attachment bolts, and if any exceed 53mm in length, replacing the 
epicyclic module.
    The FAA estimates that 1 helicopter of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, and that it would require approximately 8 
work hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
$365,235 to replace the epicyclic module, if necessary. The cost of the 
attachment bolts would be $11. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD, including parts and labor, would be $491, assuming 
the bolts are the correct length and the epicyclic module does not have 
to be replaced.
    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.

[[Page 45931]]

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-78-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS 332C, L, and L1 helicopters, with 
epicyclic modules, part number 332A32-2007-00 or -01, with serial 
numbers with the prefix of ``M'', from 100 through 689 or 3000 
through 3048, 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 (c) 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 in paragraph DD of Eurocopter 
Service Bulletin No. 01.41, dated November 1995 (95-11) (SB), unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the second stage planet gear of the main 
gearbox, loss of main rotor drive and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect each main gearbox epicyclic module upper casing 
bearing attachment bolt (attachment bolt) in accordance with 
paragraph CC of the SB.
    (b) If any attachment bolt length is greater than 53mm (2.086 
inches), remove the epicyclic module and replace the epicyclic 
module with an airworthy epicyclic module before further flight.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 93-131-051(B)R1, dated 
January 18, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 17, 1999.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21847 Filed 8-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P