[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59614-59615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28654]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-60-AD; Amendment 39-11398; AD 99-23-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-
365N1, and AS-365N2 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2
helicopters, that requires replacing certain defective electrical
modules with airworthy electrical modules. This amendment is prompted
by the discovery of several defective electrical modules. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical
continuity, which could cause loss of critical rotorcraft electrical
systems and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 8, 1999.
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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is
applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2
helicopters was published in the Federal Register on August 4, 1999 (64
FR 42295). That action proposed to require replacing certain defective
electrical modules with airworthy electrical modules.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the
adoption of the rule as proposed except for two nonsubstantive changes
that have been made to paragraph (b) and Note 3 of the AD. In paragraph
(b), the NPRM incorrectly states that alternative methods of compliance
(AMOC) or adjustments of the compliance time may be approved by the
``Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate.'' This
is incorrect and has been changed to state that the Manager,
Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, is responsible for approving
any AMOC or adjustment of the compliance time. Note 3 of the NPRM
states that information concerning the existence of approved AMOC may
be obtained from the ``Rotorcraft Standards Staff''; this is also
incorrect and has been changed to state that information may be
obtained from the ``Regulations Group.'' The FAA has determined that
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator
nor increase the scope of the AD.
The FAA estimates that 41 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 300 work hours per
helicopter to replace all affected modules, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately
$29,520, but the helicopter manufacturer has stated that the parts will
be provided at no cost. Based on these figures, the total cost impact
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $738,000 to replace all
affected modules.
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3)
[[Page 59615]]
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 final evaluation has been prepared for
this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
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 99-23-02 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11398. Docket No. 98-SW-
60-AD.
Applicability: Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2
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 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
within the next 3 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. 01.00.47R1, dated
December 18, 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, Regulations Group, 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, Regulations Group.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Regulations Group.
(c) 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.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on December 8, 1999.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 1998-253-044(A)R1,
dated February 10, 1999.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28654 Filed 11-2-99; 8:45 am]
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