[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 16, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2132-2134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1056]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-11-AD; Amendment 39-12597; AD 2002-01-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 
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) for 
Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 helicopters. This action requires 
inspecting the main frame for a crack and repairing any unairworthy 
frame before further flight. This amendment is prompted by a report of 
cracks on the right-hand (RH) side of a main frame. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in failure of the main frame and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective January 31, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

[[Page 2133]]

Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-11-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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5490, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of cracks on the right-hand (RH) side of 
main frame 5295.
    Eurocopter France has issued Alert Telex No. 53.01.28 R4, dated 
July 11, 2001 (Telex). This Telex specifies checking main frame 5295 
and repairing any unairworthy main frame. The DGAC classified this 
Telex as mandatory and issued AD No. 2000-463-016(A), R4, dated 
September 5, 2001, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters in France.
    We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of the same type design should they become 
registered in the United States. This AD is being issued to prevent 
failure of the main frame and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter. This AD requires inspecting main frame 5295 within 
specified intervals and, before further flight, repairing any 
unairworthy main frame.
    None of the helicopters affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. Non-U.S. operators under foreign registry currently operate 
all helicopters included in the applicability of this rule and, 
therefore, are not directly affected by this AD action. However, the 
FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject 
helicopters are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 8 work hours to 
inspect main frame 5295 at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $480 to 
inspect each helicopter, assuming no crack was found.
    Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is 
currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and 
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and 
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

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 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.
    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 notice and prior public comment are 
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation; therefore, it can be 
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since 
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States. 
The FAA has also determined that this regulation 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 in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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:

2002-01-06  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12597. Docket No. 2001-
SW-11-AD.
    Applicability: Model AS332L2 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent failure of main frame 5295 and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) for 
helicopters with 5000 or more hours TIS and before accumulating 5050 
hours TIS for helicopters with less than 5000 hours TIS,
    (1) At main frame 5295, remove the trim from the horizontal 
members at Z1350 on both sides of the helicopter.
    (2) Visually inspect for a crack:
    (i) Above the horizontal members at Z1350.
    (ii) At the blending radii of the attachment ribs of the 
horizontal members below Z1350.

[[Page 2134]]

    (b) After accomplishing paragraph (a) of this AD, thereafter, at 
intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS, repeat the visual inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) Repair any unairworthy main frame 5295 before further 
flight.

    Note 2: Eurocopter France Alert Telex No. 53.01.28 R4, dated 
July 11, 2001, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (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 3: 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 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 31, 2002.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 2000-463-016(A), R4, 
dated September 5, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-1056 Filed 1-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P