[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8894-8896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4264]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-36-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, 
B2, B3, D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N 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) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS350B, 
BA, B1, B2, B3, D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters. This 
proposal would require replacing certain circuit breakers. This 
proposal is prompted by the discovery of the loss of electrical 
continuity between the terminals of an installed circuit breaker. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of 
electrical power to the emergency flotation gear or other optional 
installations and subsequent loss of the helicopter emergency flotation 
capability.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 24, 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-36-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carroll Wright, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5120, 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-36-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-36-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, 
D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters. The DGAC advises of the

[[Page 8895]]

loss of electrical continuity on certain single-pole circuit breakers.
    Eurocopter France has issued Service Bulletin No. 01.00.44, 
applicable to Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters and Service 
Bulletin No. 01.00.47, applicable to Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and 
D helicopters. Both service bulletins are dated November 10, 1998, and 
specify inspecting Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, part number 
(P/N) 84 400 028 or P/N 84 400 031 through P/N 84 400 036, installed as 
part of the emergency flotation gear or other optional installations. 
The service bulletins also specify replacing any circuit breaker that 
is not operating properly and replacing all affected circuit breakers 
at the next ``T'' inspection or 6 months, whichever occurs first. The 
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued AD 98-
510-055(A) and AD 98-511-074(A), both dated December 16, 1998, in order 
to assure 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 these type designs 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 AS350B, BA, B1, B2, 
B3, D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters of the same type 
designs registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require 
the following:
     Inspecting Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, P/N 84 
400 028, or P/N 84 400 031 through P/N 84 400 036, installed as part of 
the emergency flotation gear or other optional installations, for 
proper operation. Replacing any Crouzet single-pole circuit breaker 
that is not operating properly with an airworthy circuit breaker.
     Replacing all Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, P/N 84 
400 028, or P/N 84 400 031 through P/N 84 400 036 with airworthy 
circuit breakers would be required on or before July 1, 2000.
    The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with 
the service bulletins described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 150 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.25 
work hours per helicopter to replace the circuit breakers, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $23 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$5,700, assuming the replacement of 150 circuit breakers.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have a 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 
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, 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-36-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, and AS355E, F, 
F1, F2, and N helicopters, with Crouzet single-pole circuit breaker, 
part numbers (P/N) 84 400 028, and P/N 84 400 031 through P/N 84 400 
036, installed as part of any optional installations, 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 (c) 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 prevent loss of electrical power to the emergency flotation 
gear or other optional installations and subsequent loss of the 
helicopter emergency flotation capability, accomplish the following:
    (a) On or before 200 hours time-in-service or within the next 3 
calendar months, whichever occurs first:
    (1) For Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters, inspect 
and if inoperable, replace the Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers 
installed in the flotation gear unit assembly and other optional 
installations for electrical continuity in accordance with section 
2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions contained in Eurocopter 
France Service Bulletin (SB) No. 01.00.47, dated November 10, 1998, 
except disregard the compliance times stated in paragraph 2.B.2) of 
the SB.
    (2) For Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, inspect and 
if inoperable, replace the Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers 
installed in the flotation gear unit assembly and other optional 
installations for electrical continuity in accordance with section 
2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions contained in SB No. 
01.00.44, dated November 10, 1998, except disregard the compliance 
times stated in paragraph 2.B.2) of the SB.
    (b) On or before July 1, 2000, replace all Crouzet single-pole 
circuit breakers in accordance with section 2.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable SB.
    (c) 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.

[[Page 8896]]

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

    (d) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 98-510-055(A) for the 
Model AS 355 helicopters and AD 98-511-074(A) for the Model AS 350 
helicopters. Both DGAC AD's are dated December 16, 1998.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 11, 2000.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-4264 Filed 2-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U