[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 73 (Friday, April 14, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20104-20105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9360]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-78-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, 
and L2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS 
332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters, that currently requires conducting a 
filter clogging warning test, and, if necessary, replacing a jammed 
valve with an airworthy valve. This action would require the same 
corrective actions as the existing AD and would add another fuel filter 
part number to the applicability. This proposal is prompted by jammed 
fuel filter by-pass valves. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent engine power loss due to fuel starvation, an 
engine flameout, and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 13, 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-78-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically to 
the Rules Docket at the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments may be inspected at the Office of the Regional Counsel between 
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed AD may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, Technical Support, 2701 
Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone 800-232-0323, 
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: Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5296, 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 mailed 
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-78-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, Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 99-SW-78-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    On June 8, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-13-02, Amendment 39-11195 (64 
FR 32399, June 17, 1999), applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS 
332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters. AD 99-13-02 requires, within 25 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) and any subsequent time that the fuel filter 
clogged caution lights illuminate, conducting a filter clogging warning 
test, and, if necessary, replacing a jammed valve with an airworthy 
valve. That action was prompted by reports of jammed fuel filter by-
pass valves discovered during routine maintenance. That condition, if 
not corrected, could result in engine power loss due to fuel 
starvation, an engine flameout, and a subsequent forced landing.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the Direction Generale De L'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC) has issued revised AD's that add another fuel filter to 
the previous applicability list. The revised DGAC AD's apply to 
helicopters with the following fuel filters installed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Eurocopter France
                   Vendor Part No.                         Part No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-4020P25............................................      (704A44620031)
-4020P25-1..........................................      (704A44620034)
-4020P25-2..........................................      (704A44620035)
-4020P25-3..........................................      (704A44620036)
-4020P25-11.........................................      (704A44620037)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The DGAC, the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, 
C1, L, L1, and L2 helicopters. The DGAC advises that jammed valves 
could result in power loss due to fuel starvation, which could cause 
one or both engines to flameout. The DGAC issued AD's 1998-318-071(A)R2 
and 1998-319-012(A)R2, both dated July 28, 1999, applicable to 
Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, C1, L, L1, and L2 helicopters. (Model 
AS 332C1 does not have a United States type certificate.)
    The FAA has reviewed Eurocopter France Service Telex 00087 (Service

[[Page 20105]]

Bulletin No. 01.00.56 R1) dated June 17, 1999, which describes 
procedures for verifying that the valve will correctly open and close 
in each engine fuel filter and conducting a filter clogging warning 
test on helicopters with certain fuel filters installed.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, and 
L2 helicopters of the same type designs, the proposed AD would 
supersede AD 99-13-02. In addition to the requirements in AD 99-13-02, 
the proposed AD would add a fuel filter, P/N 704A44620037, to the 
applicability. The actions are required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service telex described previously.
    The FAA estimates that one helicopter of U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, 
assuming no valve would need to be replaced.
    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 removing Amendment 39-11195 (64 FR 
32399, June 17, 1999) and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
to read as follows:

Eurocopter France: Docket No. 99-SW-78-AD. Supersedes AD 99-13-02, 
Amendment 39-11195, Docket No. 99-SW-17-AD.

    Applicability: Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, and L2 
helicopters, with any of the following part-numbered fuel filters 
installed, certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Eurocopter France
                   Vendor Part No.                         Part No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-4020P25............................................      (704A44620031)
-4020P25-1..........................................      (704A44620034)
-4020P25-2..........................................      (704A44620035)
-4020P25-3..........................................      (704A44620036)
-4020P25-11.........................................      (704A44620037)
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent power loss due to fuel starvation, an engine 
flameout, and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and after any 
subsequent flight during which either fuel filter clogged caution 
light illuminates:
    (1) Verify that the fuel filter by-pass valve (valve) is 
correctly closed in each engine fuel filter in accordance with 
paragraph CC.1), Eurocopter France Service Telex 00087 (Service 
Bulletin No. 01.00.56 R1), dated June 17, 1999 (SB).
    (2) After replacing both filter cartridges with airworthy filter 
cartridges, each helicopter may be operated on a one-time direct 
flight to a location where the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
AD must be accomplished before further flight.
    (3) Conduct a ``filter'' clogging warning test (test) in 
accordance with paragraphs CC.2), CC.2)A) and CC.2)B) of the SB.
    (4) If a jammed valve (open or closed) is detected during the 
test, clean the valve in accordance with paragraph CC.2)B) of the SB 
or replace the valve with an airworthy valve. Repeat the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this AD.
    (5) When the test result is satisfactory, repeat the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
    (b) Within 25 hours TIS, insert a copy of this AD into the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) or make the following pen and ink 
addition to the RFM Emergency Procedure for fuel filter clogged 
caution light illumination: ``If both fuel filter clogged caution 
lights illuminate, land as soon as practicable.''
    (c) If both filter clogged caution lights illuminate, after 
landing, either:
    (1) Accomplish the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD 
before further flight, or,
    (2) Replace both filter cartridges with airworthy filter 
cartridges and conduct a one-time direct flight to a location where 
the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD must be accomplished 
before 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, Regulations Group.

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

    (e) Special flight permits will not be issued.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD's 1998-318-071(A)R2 and 
1998-319-012(A)R2, both dated July 28, 1999.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 7, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-9360 Filed 4-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P