[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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