[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53623-53625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25374]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-53-AD; Amendment 39-11343; AD 99-19-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 120B 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-19-23 which was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France 
Model EC 120B helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, at 
specified time intervals, inspecting the engine coupling tube for 
cracks and replacing any cracked engine coupling tube with an airworthy 
engine coupling tube. This amendment is prompted by the discovery, 
during routine maintenance inspections, of three cracked engine 
coupling tubes caused by structural resonance. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect a crack in the engine coupling tube 
which could result in coupling failure, loss of engine drive, and a 
subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Effective October 19, 1999, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency Priority Letter 
AD 99-19-23, issued on September 2, 1999, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 19, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 3, 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-53-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    The applicable service information 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; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register , 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Regulations Group, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5296, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 2, 1999, the FAA issued 
Emergency Priority Letter AD 99-19-23, applicable to Eurocopter France 
Model EC 120B helicopters, which requires, within 10 hours time-in-
service (TIS), and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, 
inspecting the engine coupling tube for cracks and replacing any 
cracked engine coupling tube with an airworthy engine coupling tube. 
That action was prompted by the discovery, during routine maintenance 
inspections, of three cracked engine coupling tubes caused by 
structural resonance. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
coupling failure, loss of engine drive, and a subsequent forced 
landing.

[[Page 53624]]

    Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter Service Telex No. 05-001 EC 
120, Version B, dated August 26, 1999, which describes procedures for 
checking the coupling tube assembly, part number (P/N) C631A1002101, on 
the engine-to-main gearbox coupling. The Direction Generale De 
L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for 
France, classified this service telex as mandatory and issued 
telegraphic AD No. T1999-349-002(A) R1, dated August 27, 1999, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in France.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provision 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 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 operations in the United States.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other Eurocopter France Model EC 120 helicopters of the same type 
design, the FAA issued Emergency Priority Letter AD 99-19-23 to detect 
a crack in the engine coupling tube which could result in coupling 
failure, loss of engine drive, and a subsequent forced landing. The AD 
requires, within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter, at intervals not to 
exceed 10 hours TIS, inspecting the engine coupling tube, P/N 
C631A1002101, for cracks and replacing any cracked engine coupling tube 
with an airworthy engine coupling tube. The actions must be 
accomplished in accordance with the service telex described previously. 
The short compliance time involved is required because the previously 
described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the helicopter. Therefore, inspecting the engine coupling 
tube for any crack and replacing any cracked engine coupling tube is 
required within 10 hours TIS, and this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on September 2, 1999, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
Eurocopter France Model EC 120B helicopters. These conditions still 
exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an 
amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
39.13) to make it effective to all persons.
    The FAA estimates that 12 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD; it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
helicopter to inspect the engine coupling tube; 4 work hours to replace 
the engine coupling tube, if necessary; and the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Required parts, if the engine coupling tube is 
replaced, will cost approximately $4,020 per helicopter. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $39,960 per year, assuming 10 inspections per helicopter and 
replacement of the engine coupling tube on 6 helicopters.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ``ADDRESSES.'' 
All communications received on or before the closing date for comments 
will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the 
comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's 
ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the 
effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 99-SW-53-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

AD 99-19-23  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11343. Docket No. 99-
SW-53-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC 120B helicopters with engine coupling 
tube, P/N C631A1002101, 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

[[Page 53625]]

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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect a crack in the engine coupling tube which could result 
in coupling failure, loss of engine drive, and a subsequent forced 
landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, inspect engine coupling tube, 
P/N C631A1002101, for any crack and replace any cracked engine 
coupling tube before further flight. Inspect and replace, if 
necessary, in accordance with paragraph CC of Eurocopter Service 
Telex No. 05-001 EC 120, Version B, dated August 26, 1999, except 
that reporting to Eurocopter Technical Support is not required.
    (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 Regulations Group, 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 Regulations Group.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Regulations Group.

    (c) Special flight permits will not be issued.
    (d) The inspection and repair, if necessary, shall be done in 
accordance with paragraph CC of Eurocopter Service Telex No. 05-001 
EC 120, Version B, dated August 26, 1999. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, 
Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 
641-3527. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 19, 1999 to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Emergency Priority Letter AD 99-19-23, issued September 
2, 1999, which contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 22, 1999.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25374 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P