[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1353-1354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-504]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 
helicopters. This proposal would require replacing certain electrical 
modules with airworthy electrical modules. This proposal is prompted by 
the discovery of several defective electrical modules. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical 
continuity, which could cause loss of critical systems and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-14-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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, has notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 helicopters. 
The DGAC advises of the discovery of malfunctions due to faulty 
``CONNECTRAL'' modules on electrical circuits of a Super Puma AS332 
helicopter. Model AS332 and SA-366G1 helicopters use the same type of 
``CONNECTRAL'' modules.
    Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 01.25, 
dated May 28, 1998, (SB) for Model SA-366G1 helicopters. The SB 
specifies inspecting and replacing each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical 
module manufactured between week 95/16 through 96/21. The manufacturing 
codes identify the year and week of module production. Only green 
electrical modules without a white dot on the face need to be replaced. 
The DGAC classified this SB as mandatory and issued AD 98-251-022(A), 
dated July 1, 1998, 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 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-366G1 helicopters 
of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed 
AD would require replacing 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. Those 
manufacturing codes identify modules manufactured between the beginning 
of the 16th week of 1995 and the end of the 21st week of 1996. 
Replacing the electrical modules with a white dot on the face is not 
required because the manufacturer has verified the proper functioning 
of these units.
    The FAA estimates that 94 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 100 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $2,969 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 the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$564,000.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment under Executive 
Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative,

[[Page 1354]]

on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 
may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed 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:

Eurocopter France: Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-366G1 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 required systems and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) 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. 
Those manufacturing codes identify modules manufactured between the 
beginning of the 16th week of 1995 and the end of the 21st week of 
1996.

    Note 2: Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.25, 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, 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 
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 98-251-022(A), dated July 1, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 3, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-504 Filed 1-7-00; 8:45 am]
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