[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77404-77405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31177]



[[Page 77404]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-35-AD; Amendment 39-12976; AD 2002-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, AS332L, 
AS332L1, SA330F, SA330G, and SA330J 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 
inspecting the tail rotor pitch change rod (change rod) bearing 
(bearing) and, after inspecting the control rod, replacing the bearing 
if it does not meet the specified tolerance. This AD requires 
inspecting the bearing for spalling, friction, and grinding and 
inspecting the control rod and bearing housing for wear marks and 
scoring. This amendment is prompted by the seizure of a bearing on an 
ECF Model SA330 helicopter. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent bearing wear, seizure of the bearing, loss of tail 
rotor effectiveness, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective January 22, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-
3527. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for ECF Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, SA330F, SA330G, 
and SA330J helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on July 
19, 2002 (67 FR 47488). That action proposed to require the following 
inspections initially, repetitively, and before installing any tail 
rotor gearbox that has been previously installed on another helicopter 
and has not been inspected:
    [sbull] Inspect the tail rotor spider for end play. Remove the 
change rod bearing if the tail rotor spider is not within allowable 
tolerances.
    [sbull] Inspect each bearing for spalling, friction, grinding, 
damaged bearing sealing flanges, overheating at the bearing inner and 
outer races and the flanges, deposits of corrosion, and shearing or 
wear marks on the lockwasher, and remove any unairworthy bearing.
    [sbull] If a bearing is removed, before replacing the bearing, 
inspect the change rod for visible wear marks or scoring on the bearing 
journal circumference. If wear marks or circular scoring is found, 
repair or replace the bearing housing.
    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, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, 
SA330F, SA330G, and SA330J helicopters. The DGAC advises that the pitch 
change rod bearing seized on a Model SA330 helicopter.
    ECF has issued Eurocopter France Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) Nos. 
05.81, Revision 2, and 05.00.29, Revision 3, both dated January 18, 
2001, which specify modifying the operational and bearing check 
procedure for the change rod equipped with bearing, part number (P/N) 
330A33-9903-20. The DGAC classified ASB No. 05.00.29, Revision 3, dated 
January 18, 2001, as mandatory and issued AD No. 1990-230-041(A) R4, 
dated February 21, 2001, to ensure the continued airworthiness of the 
ECF Model AS332 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.
    The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
helicopter to inspect and replace a bearing, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $120 
per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,080, assuming one bearing is 
replaced on each helicopter.
    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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

2002-25-01 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12976. Docket No. 2001-
SW-35-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, SA330F, SA330G, 
and SA330J helicopters with a tail rotor pitch change rod (rod) and 
a bearing, part number 330A33-9903-20, 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,

[[Page 77405]]

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: Within 20 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 1 month, 
whichever occurs first, or before installing any tail rotor gearbox 
previously installed on another helicopter and not inspected within 
the previous 250 hours TIS, unless accomplished previously, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 hours TIS or 18 months, 
whichever occurs first.
    To prevent bearing wear, bearing seizure of the change rod, loss 
of tail rotor effectiveness, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the axial end play of the tail rotor pitch change 
spider assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B.1. of Eurocopter France (ECF) Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 05.81, Revision 2, dated January 18, 2001 (ASB 330) for the ECF 
Model 330 helicopters or Eurocopter France Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 05.00.29, Revision 3, dated January 18, 2001, (ASB 332) for the 
Model 332 helicopters. If the axial end play is not within allowable 
tolerances, remove the rod bearing from service.
    (b) Inspect each bearing for spalling, friction, grinding, 
damaged bearing sealing flanges, overheating at the bearing inner 
and outer races and the flanges, deposits of corrosion, and shearing 
or wear marks on the lockwasher in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.2., of ASB 330 or ASB332, 
as applicable. Remove from service any unairworthy bearing.
    (c) If a bearing is removed from service, before replacing the 
bearing with an airworthy bearing:
    (1) Inspect the change rod for visible wear marks or scoring on 
the bearing journal circumference. If marks or scoring is found, 
remove the change rod from service.
    (2) Inspect the bearing housing for visible wear marks or 
circular scoring. If wear marks or circular scoring is found, repair 
or replace the bearing housing in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.3., of ASB 330 or ASB 332, as 
applicable.
    (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 2: 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 will not be issued.
    (f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Eurocopter France 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.81, Revision 2, dated January 18, 
2001, for Model 330 helicopters, or Eurocopter France Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 05.00.29, Revision 3, dated January 18, 2001, for Model 
332 helicopters. These incorporations by reference were approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from American 
Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 
75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 22, 2003.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 1990-230-041(A) R4, 
dated February 21, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 25, 2002.
Eric D. Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31177 Filed 12-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P