[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55624-55625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26711]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-29-AD; Amendment 39-11370; AD 99-21-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, 
SA.315B, SA.316B, SA.316C, and SA.319B Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
applicable to Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, SA.315B, SA.316B, 
SA.316C, and SA.319B helicopters with a main gearbox (MGB), all part 
numbers, not modified in accordance with MOD 072241. This action 
requires, prior to further flight and thereafter prior to the first 
flight of each day, inspecting the MGB magnetic plug for metal 
particles. This AD also requires inspecting the MGB oil filter for 
metal particles. This amendment is prompted by the failure of a bevel 
wheel gear attachment bolt (bolt) during testing of an SA.315B MGB. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to detect a condition that 
could cause bolt failure and damage to the MGB, resulting in loss of 
drive to the main rotor and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective October 29, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 13, 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-29-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

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: The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on Model SE.3160, SA.315B, SA.316B, 
SA.316C, and SA.319B helicopters with a MGB, all part numbers, not 
modified in accordance with MOD 072241. The DGAC advises that bolt 
failure, which occurred when testing an SA.315B MGB, could lead to 
damage of the MGB and loss of rotor drive.
    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 these type designs that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    An unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or 
develop on other Model SE.3160, SA.315B, SA.316B, SA.316C, and SA.319B 
helicopters with a MGB, all part numbers, not modified in accordance 
with MOD 072241 of the same type design registered in the United 
States. Therefore, this AD is being issued to detect a condition that 
could cause bolt failure and damage to the MGB. This AD requires 
inspecting the MGB magnetic plug for metal particles prior to further 
flight and prior to the first flight of each day. This AD also requires 
inspecting the MGB oil filter for metal particles at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours time-in-service. The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the applicable maintenance manuals. The 
short compliance time involved is required because the previously 
described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, inspecting the MGB 
magnetic plug for metal particles is required prior to further flight 
and this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
    The FAA estimates that 93 helicopters will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 0.25 work hour to inspect the magnetic 
plug prior to the first flight of each day and 2 work hours to inspect 
the oil filter every 25 hours TIS, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $318,060 annually, assuming any 
metal particles found are not enough to require a cleaning or an 
overhaul of the MGB and that each helicopter is flown 100 days per year 
for 4 hours each day.

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

[[Page 55625]]

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-29-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, 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 99-21-25  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11370. Docket No. 99-
SW-29-AD.

    Applicability: Model SE.3160, SA.315B, SA.316B, SA.316C, and 
SA.319B helicopters with a main gearbox, all part numbers, not 
modified in accordance with MOD 072241, 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 (d) 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 condition that could cause failure of a bevel wheel 
gear attachment bolt (bolt) and damage to the main gearbox (MGB), 
resulting in loss of drive to the main rotor and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to further flight and thereafter prior to the first 
flight of each day, inspect the MGB magnetic plug for metal 
particles. If metal particles are found, comply with the 
instructions in the applicable maintenance manual.
    (b) At intervals not to exceed 25 hours time-in-service, inspect 
the MGB oil filter for metal particles. If metal particles are 
found, comply with the instructions in the applicable maintenance 
manual.

    Note 2: Work Card 5.41.202 pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (c) Modification of the MGB by MOD 072241 is terminating action 
for the requirements of this AD.
    (d) 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, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then 
send it to the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate.

    (e) Special flight permits are prohibited.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 29, 1999.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 98-304-058(A) for Model 
SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, and SA.319B helicopters, and AD 98-303-
041(A) for Model SA.315B helicopters, both dated July 29, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 5, 1999.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26711 Filed 10-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P