[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61770-61771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24988]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-55-AD; Amendment 39-12898; AD 2002-20-03]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters that requires 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 AD prohibits refueling the tank. 
This amendment 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 this 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: Effective November 6, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for 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 was published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2002 (67 
FR 34880). That action proposed to 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 than 1.5 
milliohms, the proposal would prohibit refueling the tank.
    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.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    We estimate that 736 helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected 
by this AD. Measuring the electrical resistance between the tank 
electrostatic ground connector and the tank filler neck will 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 this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$22,080 for the first refueling of all installed tanks.
    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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:

2002-20-03 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12898. Docket No. 2000-
SW-55-AD.
    Applicability: 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 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 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

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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:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR02OC02.004


    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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on November 6, 2002.

    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 September 19, 2002.
Eric D. Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-24988 Filed 10-1-02; 8:45 am]
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