[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 52 (Thursday, March 16, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14209-14211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6035]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-87-AD; Amendment 39-11625; AD 2000-05-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS355N 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS355N helicopters. This 
action requires inspecting the: 4 engine exhaust pipe ejector 
attachment lugs (lugs) for cracks; starter-generator (S-G) shaft for 
radial play; S-G attachment flange for cracks; and S-G attachment half-
clamps for cracks.
    This amendment is prompted by 9 reports of S-G damage; 3 reports of 
the discovery of cracks in the lugs; and 1 report of an in-flight loss 
of the exhaust pipe ejector. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent separation of an engine exhaust pipe ejector from 
the helicopter, which could result in a tail rotor strike and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective March 31, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 31, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 15, 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-87-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    The service information referenced in this AD 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 
76137; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the 
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model 
AS355N helicopters. The DGAC advises that starter-generator 
deterioration may lead to failure of the engine exhaust pipe ejector 
attachment lugs and subsequent loss of the ejector.
    Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter France Service Telex No. 
01.00.45, dated October 27, 1999, which requests that the following 
items must be inspected within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and then 
at intervals of 100 hours TIS: 4 lugs for cracks; S-G shaft for 
significant radial play; S-G attachment flange for cracks; and S-G 
attachment half-clamps for cracks.
    The DGAC classified this telex as mandatory and issued AD 1999-469-
058(A), dated December 1, 1999, in order to assure 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 
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

[[Page 14210]]

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 AS355N helicopters of 
the same type design registered in the United States, this AD is being 
issued to prevent separation of an engine exhaust pipe ejector from the 
helicopter, which could result in a tail rotor strike and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires, within 10 hours 
TIS and then at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspecting the: 
4 lugs for any crack; S-G shaft for radial play; S-G attachment flange 
for any crack; and S-G attachment half-clamps for any crack.
    The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
telex described previously. The short compliance time involved is 
required because the previously described critical unsafe condition can 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the helicopter. Therefore, 
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 13 helicopters will be affected by this AD 
and that it will take approximately 3 work hours to accomplish the 
inspections. The work hours required to replace the parts will be: 2 
work hours to replace the S-G; 1 work hour to replace the clamp and 
flange; and 2 work hours to replace the exhaust pipe.
    The average labor rate is estimated to be $60 per work hour. 
Required parts, per helicopter, will cost approximately: $6,346 for 
each S-G; $12,148 for each exhaust pipe; $500 for each flange; and $175 
for each clamp.
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $180 per helicopter to accomplish each 
inspection and $19,469 per helicopter to replace the S-G, the exhaust 
pipe, the flange, and the clamp.

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 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-87-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 2000-05-15  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11625. Docket No. 99-
SW-87-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS355N 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 (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 within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent separation of an engine exhaust pipe ejector from the 
helicopter, which could result in a tail rotor strike and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) In accordance with paragraph BB of Eurocopter France Service 
Telex No. 00095, dated October 27, 1999 (Telex) that references 
Service Telex No. 01.00.45, visually inspect the:
    (1) 4 engine exhaust pipe ejector attachment lugs (lugs) for any 
crack;
    (2) starter-generator (S-G) shaft for radial play;
    (3) S-G attachment flange for any crack; and
    (4) S-G attachment half-clamps for any crack.
    (b) If a crack is found in either the lugs, the S-G attachment 
flange, or the S-G attachment half-clamps, repair or replace the 
cracked part with an airworthy part prior to further flight.

[[Page 14211]]

    (c) If radial play is discovered in the S-G, replace it with an 
airworthy S-G prior to further flight.
    (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, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and 
then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate.

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

    (e) 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.
    (f) The inspections and replacements, if necessary, shall be 
done in accordance with Eurocopter France Service Telex No. 00095, 
dated October 27, 1999. This incorporation by reference was approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from American 
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on March 31, 2000.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 1999-469-058(A), dated 
December 1, 1999.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 6, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6035 Filed 3-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U