[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 95 (Thursday, May 16, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34880-34882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12052]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-55-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, 
and L2; AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D; AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N; AS-
365N2; AS 365 N3; SA330F, G, and J; SA-360C; SA-365C, C1, and C2; 
SA.316B and C; and SA.319B 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 AS332C, L, L1, and L2; AS350B, 
BA, B1, B2, B3, and D; AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N; AS-365N2; AS 365 N3; 
SA330F, G, and J; SA-360C; SA-365C, C1, and C2; SA.316B and C; and 
SA.319B helicopters. This proposal would require a one-time measurement 
of the electrical resistance between the ferry fuel tank (tank) 
electrostatic ground connector and the tank filler neck before the next 
refueling of an installed tank or before the first fueling after 
installing a tank. If the electrical resistance has a value more than 
1.5 milliohms, this proposal would prohibit refueling the tank. This 
proposal is prompted by reports of an inadequate electrical bond 
between the electrostatic ground connector and its support on several 
tank installations. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent refueling a tank that is not adequately 
electrically bonded, which could generate an electric arc between the 
refueling nozzle and the tank, causing an explosion.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-55-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: Paul Madej, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5125, 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 action 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 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. 2000-SW-55-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. 2000-SW-55-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 AS332C, L, L1, and L2; AS350B, BA, B1, 
B2, B3, and D; AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N; AS-365N2; AS 365 N3; SA330F, 
G, and J; SA-360C; SA-365C, C1, and C2; SA.316B and C; and SA.319B 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of the absence on several tanks of an 
electric bond between the electrostatic ground connector and its 
support. During refueling of a tank, the inadequate electrical bonding 
could generate an electric arc between the refueling nozzle of the 
tanker and the tank and could cause the tank to explode.
    ECF has issued Telex No. 000112 dated June 6, 2000, which specifies 
a one-time measurement of the electrical resistance between the tank 
electrostatic ground connector and the tank filler neck to determine if 
the value is more than 1.5 milliohms. If the value of the electrical 
resistance of the electrical bonding is more than 1.5 milliohms, the 
service telex specifies a secondary procedure for measuring the 
electrical resistance. If the value of the electrical resistance is 
more than 1.5 milliohms after the secondary measurement, the tank is 
unusable and the telex specifies a repair. The DGAC classified this 
telex as mandatory and issued AD 2000-302(A), dated July 12, 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 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 
determined that AD action is necessary for products of these type 
designs that are certificated for operation in the United States.
    The FAA has identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist 
or develop on other ECF Model AS332C, L, L1, and L2; AS350B, BA, B1, 
B2, B3, and D; AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N; AS-365N2; AS 365 N3; SA330F, 
G, and J; SA-360C; SA-365C, C1, and C2 helicopters with a metal tank, 
part number (P/N) 330A 871310.00, .01, .02, .03, or .04 installed; and 
Model SA.316B, C; and SA.319B helicopters with a metal tank, P/N 3160S 
7375020 or 3160S 7375020-1, installed, of these same type designs 
registered in the United States. The proposed AD would require, before 
the next refueling of an installed tank or before the first fueling 
after installing a tank, a one-time measurement of the electrical 
resistance between the tank electrostatic ground connector and the tank 
filler neck to determine if the electrical resistance has a value more 
than 1.5 milliohms. If the value of the electrical resistance is more

[[Page 34881]]

than 1.5 milliohms, this proposal would prohibit refueling the tank.
    We estimate that a total of 736 U.S. helicopters of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD. Measuring the electrical 
resistance between the tank electrostatic ground connector and the tank 
filler neck would take approximately \1/2\ work hour per helicopter to 
accomplish, and 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 $22,080 for the first refueling of all 
installed tanks.
    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. 2000-SW-55-AD.

    Applicability: AS332C, L, L1, and L2; AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, 
and D; AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N; AS-365N2; AS 365 N3; SA330F, G, and 
J; SA-360C; SA-365C, C1, and C2 helicopters with a metal ferry fuel 
tank (tank), part number (P/N) 330A 871310.00, .01, .02, .03, or 
.04, installed; and Model SA.316B and C; and SA.319B helicopters 
with a metal tank, P/N 3160S 7375020, or 3160S 7375020-1, 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 the next refueling of an installed 
tank or before the first fueling after installing a tank, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent refueling a tank that is not adequately electrically 
bonded, which could generate an electric arc between the refueling 
nozzle and the tank, causing a fuel tank explosion, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Measure the electrical resistance between the tank 
electrostatic ground connector (item C) and the tank filler neck 
(item G) as shown in Figure 1 of this AD. If the value of the 
electrical resistance is more than 1.5 milliohms, refueling the tank 
is prohibited. See Figure 1 as follows:
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[[Page 34882]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP16MY02.000


    Note 2: Eurocopter Telex No. 000112 dated June 6, 2000, pertains 
to the subject of this AD.

    (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 will not be issued.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2000-302(A), dated July 
12, 2000.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 8, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-12052 Filed 5-15-02; 8:45 am]
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