[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39314-39315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14250]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-66-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330F, SA330G, 
SA330J, AS332C, 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 the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters. This 
proposal would require inspecting each tail rotor blade de-icing 
rotating collector (collector) for radial play and rotation torque at 
specified intervals. If the play or torque exceeds the specified 
standard, this proposal would require replacing the collector with an 
airworthy part. This proposal is prompted by excessive play measured on 
the collector of an ECF Model AS332 helicopter. The actions specified 
by this proposed AD are intended to prevent wear of a collector 
bearing, loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-66-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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, 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-66-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-66-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 SA330 helicopters. The

[[Page 39315]]

DGAC advises of excessive play measured on the collector.
    ECF has issued AS 332 Service Bulletin Nos. 05.00.45, Revision 1, 
dated August 16, 1999, and SA 330 Alert Service Bulletin 05.88, dated 
June 8, 2001. The service bulletins specify checking the condition of 
the bearings and the collector-to-rotor attachment shaft at regular 
intervals, measuring the radial play, measuring the rotation torque of 
the collector, and state the acceptable radial and rotational 
tolerances. The DGAC classified the service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued AD No. 2001-317-082(A), dated July 25, 2001, 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 these type designs that are certificated 
for operation in the United States.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopter models of these same type designs registered in the United 
States. Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting the radial 
play and the rotational torque on the collector initially at 100 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months, whichever occurs first, and 
repetitively at 110 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first. If 
the radial play or the rotational torque exceeds 0.1 millimeter or 3.5 
daN, respectively, the proposed AD would also require replacing the 
collector with an airworthy part. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per helicopter to inspect and replace the collector, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $300. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1260 to replace 
the collectors on the entire fleet.
    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-66-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, and 
AS332L1 helicopters with a tail rotor blade de-icing rotating 
collector (collector), part number (P/N) APCL 110-265-201, 
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: Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months, 
whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously, and then at 
intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs 
first.
    To prevent wear of a collector bearing, loss of tail rotor 
effectiveness, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the radial play and the rotation torque of the 
collector in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B., of Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.45, Revision 1, dated August 16, 1999, for the Model AS 332 
helicopters, or Eurocopter France SA 330 Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05.88, dated June 8, 2001, for the Model SA 330 helicopters. If the 
radial play exceeds 0.1 millimeter (0.004 inches) or the rotational 
torque exceeds 3.5 daN (7.9 lbs), before further flight, replace the 
collector with an airworthy part.
    (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 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 No. 2001-317-082(A), dated July 25, 
2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 28, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14250 Filed 6-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P