[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