[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53625-53626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25598]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No.99-SW-15-AD; Amendment 39-11344; AD 99-21-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-360C, SA-
365C, C1, and C2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, and C2 
helicopters. This action requires replacing certain electrical modules 
with airworthy electrical modules. This amendment is prompted by the 
discovery of several defective electrical modules. This condition if 
not corrected could result in loss of electrical continuity, which 
could cause loss of critical rotorcraft electrical systems and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective 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-15-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: 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-
360C, SA-365C, C1, and C2 helicopters. The DGAC advises of the 
malfunctions due to faulty ``CONNECTRAL'' modules on electrical 
circuits of a Super Puma AS332 helicopter.
    Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 01.37, 
dated May 28, 1998 (SB), for Model SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, and C2 
helicopters. The SB specifies inspecting and replacing ``CONNECTRAL'' 
green electrical modules having a manufacturing code of 95/16 through 
96/21. The manufacturing code identifies the year and week of module 
production. The electrical modules identified by a white dot on the 
face are airworthy and do not need to be replaced. The DGAC classified 
this SB as mandatory and issued AD 98-252-043(A), dated July 1, 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 
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 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-360C, SA-365C, C1, 
and C2 helicopters of the same type design registered in the United 
States, this AD is being issued to prevent loss of electrical 
continuity, which could cause loss of critical systems and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires replacing each 
``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical module having a manufacturing code of 
95/16 through 96/21 with an airworthy electrical module. Replacing the 
electrical modules identified with a white dot on the face is not 
required because the manufacturer has verified the proper functioning 
of these units.
    None of the Model SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, and C2 helicopters affected 
by this action are on the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in 
the applicability of this rule are operated by non-U.S. operators under 
foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD 
action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to 
ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of 
these

[[Page 53626]]

subject helicopters are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 120 work hours 
per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately 
$7,282 for the maximum number of modules replaced per helicopter, but 
the helicopter manufacturer has stated that the parts will be provided 
at no cost. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
would be $7,200 per helicopter.
    Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is 
currently on U.S. Register, it has no adverse economic impact and 
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and 
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

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-15-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that notice and public comment are 
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation; therefore, it can be 
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since 
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States. 
The FAA has also determined that this regulation 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, Safety.

Adoption of the 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:

AD 99-21-01  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11344, Docket No. 99-
SW-15-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-360C, SA-365 C, C1, and C2 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 
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 (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 400 hours time-in-service or within 
6 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. 01.37, dated May 
28, 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, 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 AD 98-252-043(A), dated July 1, 1998.
    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 24, 1999.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25598 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am]
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