[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5526-5528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2426]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-46-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L and 
AS332L1 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 (ECF) Model AS332L and AS332L1 helicopters. 
This proposal would require adding a supplement to the limitations 
section of the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for 
helicopters with ``SEFA'' skis installed. This proposal is prompted by 
the need to limit the taxi and Vne speed of those helicopters with 
skis. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent 
structural failure of a ski and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,

[[Page 5527]]

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-46-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: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5123, 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-46-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-46-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 ECF Model AS332L and L1 helicopters equipped 
with ``SEFA'' skis. ECF issued Supplements, SUP.10.14, Ski 
Installation, Normal Revision 2, Issue 2, dated June 2001 to the ECF 
Model AS332L and AS332L1 RFM. The DGAC classified these RFM supplements 
as mandatory and issued AD No. 2001-316-079(A), dated July 25, 2001. 
The DGAC advises incorporating the Ski Installation Supplement into the 
applicable RFM before the next flight and complying with the VNE and 
the maximum taxiing speed limitations 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 the 
applicable 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 this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on other ECF Model AS332L and AS332L1 helicopters of the same 
type designs registered in the United States. Therefore, the proposed 
AD would require adding the limitations contained in SUP.10.14, Ski 
Installation, to the limitations section of the RFM, requiring certain 
speed limitations for helicopters with skis installed.
    The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 10 
minutes per helicopter to add the flight manual supplement, 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 $30.
    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-46-AD.
    Applicability: Model AS332L and AS332L1 helicopters with 
``SEFA'' skis 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 before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent structural failure of a ski and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before the next flight with skis installed, add the 
limitations contained in SUP.10.14, Ski Installation, Normal 
Revision 2, Issue 2, dated June 2001 to the limitations section of 
the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

[[Page 5528]]

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 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction General 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2001-316-079(A), dated July 25, 
2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 17, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2426 Filed 2-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U