[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54960-54963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26964]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 54960]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, 
and L2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters. 
This proposal would require inspecting the cockpit pedal unit 
adjustment lever (lever) for a crack at specified time intervals by 
either a borescope or by a dye-penetrant inspection and replacing any 
cracked lever with an airworthy lever before further flight. This 
proposal is prompted by reports of cracks detected in the lever. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of 
the lever, loss of access to the brake pedals on the ground or loss of 
yaw control in flight, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-07-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 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5490, 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 will 
be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals 
contained in this document 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 proposal must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-SW-07-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. 2001-SW-07-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model AS332 helicopters. The 
DGAC advises of several cases of failure of the lever, which might lead 
to temporary loss of access to the brake pedals during aircraft taxiing 
or difficulties in ensuring the yaw control of the aircraft in flight.
    Eurocopter France has issued Alert Service Telex No. 67.00.19 R1, 
dated November 14, 2000 (Telex). The Telex specifies inspecting the 
lever, part number (P/N) 332A27-2344-20, for a crack by either a 
borescope within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) and at intervals not to 
exceed 500 hours TIS or by dye-penetrant inspection within 50 hours TIS 
and at intervals not to exceed 1500 hours TIS. The Telex also specifies 
replacing any cracked lever with an airworthy lever. The DGAC has 
classified this Telex as mandatory and issued AD Nos. 2000-487-017(A) 
and 2000-486-077(A), both dated December 13, 2000, to ensure 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 
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral 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.
    We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on other Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, and L2 
helicopters of the same type designs registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting the lever for a 
crack and replacing any unairworthy lever, P/N 332A27-2344-20, with an 
airworthy lever. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the Telex described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. The FAA also estimates the following 
requirements to accomplish the proposed AD: 2 work hours for a 
borescope inspection, 5 work hours for a dye-penetrant inspection, and 
5 work hours to replace the lever unless accomplished during a dye-
penetrant inspection in which no

[[Page 54961]]

additional work hours would be required. The average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $200. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1500 assuming an inspection using the 
dye-penetrant method and replacing each lever.
    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. 2001-SW-07-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters, with a 
cockpit pedal unit adjustment lever (lever), part number (P/N) 
332A27-2344-20, installed, 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the lever, loss of access to the brake 
pedals on the ground or loss of yaw control in flight, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Inspect the lever for a crack, using either a borescope or 
dye-penetrant inspection, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of either paragraph C.C.3. or C.C.5., as applicable, of 
Eurocopter France Alert Telex 67.00.19R1, dated November 14, 2000, 
and Figure 1 of this AD as follows:
    (1) For helicopters with 4450 or more hours time-in-service 
(TIS), inspect the lever within the next 50 hours TIS, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS if performed by 
a borescope or 1500 hours TIS if performed by dye-penetrant.
    (2) For helicopters with less than 4450 hours TIS, inspect the 
lever before accumulating 4500 hours TIS, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS if performed by a borescope or 
1500 hours TIS if performed by dye-penetrant.
    (3) Replace any cracked lever with an airworthy lever before 
further flight.

    Note 2: Returning a cracked lever to the manufacturer is not 
required by this AD nor are you required to inspect levers held as 
spares.

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    (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 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 (France) AD Nos. 2000-487-017(A) and 
2000-486-077(A), both dated December 13, 2000.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 16, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-26964 Filed 10-30-01; 8:45 am]
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