[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 108 (Thursday, June 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33618-33621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14134]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-20-AD; Amendment 39-13181; AD 2003-08-53]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N1, 
AS365-N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting a superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-08-53, sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters by individual letters. 
This AD requires, in addition to the checks and tapping test 
inspections required in the existing AD, adding the Eurocopter Model AS 
365 N3 to the applicability and correcting tail rotor blade (blade) 
part numbers. Also, this AD requires doing tapping tests for bonding 
separation on blades and removing certain blades at specified 
intervals. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of a blade, loss of tail rotor control, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective June 20, 2003, to all persons except those persons to 
whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2003-08-53, 
issued on April 23, 2003, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-SW-20-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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 9, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-10-
08, Amendment No. 39-11732 (65 FR 31256, May 17, 2000), to require 
inspecting each blade for bonding separation, measuring the clearance 
between the tip of each blade and the circumference of the air duct, 
and replacing a blade if necessary. After issuing that AD, based on 
further analysis, we determined that a pilot should be able to check 
for a cracked, blistered, or wrinkled blade and that some debonding of 
the blade is acceptable and issued AD No. 2000-10-08R1 on September 25, 
2001 (66 FR 50307, October 3, 2001), which amended AD No. 2000-10-08.
    On April 23, 2003, we issued Emergency AD 2003-08-53 for the 
specified model helicopters, which requires, in addition to the checks 
and tapping test inspections required in the existing AD, adding the 
Eurocopter Model AS 365 N3 to the applicability, correcting blade part 
numbers, additional tapping tests for bonding separation on blades at 
specified intervals, and removing certain blades at specified 
intervals. That action was prompted by reports of an incident involving 
failure of the blade and an in-flight failure of a blade due to a 
fatigue crack. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
failure of a blade, loss of tail rotor control, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.
    The FAA has reviewed Edition No. 1, Revision No. 0, of Eurocopter 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.09 for Model SA366G1 helicopters and No. 
05.00.17 for Model AS 365 N1 and N2 helicopters, both dated April 16, 
2003, which describe procedures for blade monitoring and limitations.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on these helicopter models. The DGAC advises that 
fatigue failure of the Kevlar tie bar of a blade and loss of the anti-
torque function led to an accident. The DGAC classified the alert 
service bulletins as mandatory and issued AD Nos. T2003-155(A) for 
Eurocopter Model AS 365 N helicopters and T2003-156(A) for Eurocopter 
Model SA 366 helicopters, both dated April 17, 2003, 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.
    Since the previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist 
or develop on other Eurocopter model helicopters of these same type 
designs, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2003-08-53 to prevent failure of a 
blade, loss of tail rotor control, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter. Therefore, in addition to the checks and tapping test 
inspections required in AD 2000-10-08R1, this AD requires the 
following:
    [sbull] Add the Eurocopter Model AS 365 N3 to the applicability.
    [sbull] Correct blade, P/N 365A12-0020-all dash numbers, to P/N 
365A12-0020-00, -01, -02, or -03.
    [sbull] At intervals not to exceed 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), 
do tapping tests for bonding separation on blades.
    [sbull] Within 10 hours TIS, remove blades with 150 or more hours 
TIS.
    [sbull] On or before 160 hours TIS, remove blades with less than 
150 hours TIS.
    This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
maintenance manual by establishing a 160-hour TIS life limit for 
blades, P/N 365A12-0020-02 and 365A12-0020-03, with a serial number (S/
N) equal to or greater than 32944, except for S/N 32963 through 33091, 
S/N 33116 through 33187, and S/N 33232 through 33319.
    The short compliance time involved is required because the 
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
controllability or structural integrity of the helicopter. Therefore, 
adding the Eurocopter Model AS 365 N3 to the applicability; correcting 
the blade part numbers; conducting tapping tests at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours TIS; within 10 hours TIS, removing blades with 150 or 
more hours TIS; and on or before 160 hours TIS, removing blades with 
less than 150 hours TIS are required, and this AD must be issued 
immediately.
    An owner/operator (pilot) may perform the visual checks for a 
crack, blister, or wrinkle in the blade. Pilots may perform these 
checks because they require no tools and can be accomplished by 
observation and may be performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. 
However, the pilot must enter compliance with those requirements into 
the helicopter maintenance records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 
91.417(a)(2)(v).
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD

[[Page 33619]]

effective immediately by individual letters issued on April 23, 2003, 
to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified Eurocopter 
model helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby 
published in the Federal Register as an amendment to 14 CFR 39.13 to 
make it effective to all persons.
    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. The 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. Because 
we have now included this material in part 39, we no longer need to 
include it in each individual AD.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 34 helicopters of U.S. 
registry and take approximately 4 work hours per helicopter to replace 
the blades at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $3,527 per blade. At 11 blades per 
helicopter, the cost per helicopter is $38,797. Based on these figures, 
we estimate the total cost impact of the AD to be $1,327,258, assuming 
11 blades are replaced and assuming no additional cost for the pilot 
check. Eurocopter has stated in service documents that they are 
supplying replacement blades at no cost, which would result in a cost 
to the operator of $240 per helicopter and $8,160 for the fleet.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A 
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the 
substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2003-SW-20-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2003-08-53 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13181. Docket No. 2003-
SW-20-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-10-08, Amendment 39-11732, and 2000-10-
08R1, Amendment 39-12452, both Docket No. 99-SW-34-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-365N1, AS365-N2, AS 365 N3, and SA-366G1 
helicopters, with a tail rotor blade (blade), part number 365A33-
2131-all dash numbers; 365A12-0010-all dash numbers; or 365A12-0020-
00, -01, -02, or -03; installed, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of a blade, loss of tail rotor control, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter before 
the first flight of each day, visually check each blade for a crack, 
blister, or wrinkling. An owner/operator (pilot), holding at least a 
private pilot certificate, may perform the visual check and must 
enter compliance into the aircraft maintenance records in accordance 
with 14 CFR sections 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v)). See Figure 1 as 
follows:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05JN03.000

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    (b) If a crack, blister, or wrinkling is found as a result of the 
visual check, accomplish the following before further flight (see 
Figure 1 of this AD):
    (1) Zone A: If a blister is detected on the blade suction face, 
conduct a tapping test inspection on the whole blade for bonding 
separation.
    (i) For blades, P/N 365A33-2131-all dash numbers, 365A12-0010-all 
dash numbers, and 365A12-0020-00, and -01, if bonding separation or a 
crack is found, replace the blade with an airworthy blade before 
further flight.
    (ii) For blades, P/N 365A12-0020-02, and -03, if bonding separation 
exceeds 900 mm2 in a 30 x 30 mm square or if there is a 
crack, replace the blade with an airworthy blade before further flight.
    (2) Zone B: If a crack, wrinkling, or a blister is found, replace 
the blade with an airworthy blade before further flight.
    (c) Within 10 hours TIS, conduct a tapping test inspection on each 
blade. If there is bonding separation that exceeds the criteria in 
paragraphs b(1)(i) and b(1)(ii) of this AD, replace the blade with an 
airworthy blade before further flight.

    Note 1: Edition No. 1, Revision No. 0, of Eurocopter France 
Service Bulletin Nos. 05.09 and 05.00.17, both dated April 16, 2003, 
pertain to the subject of this AD.

    (1) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS or every 50 
cycles (each takeoff and landing equals 1 cycle), whichever occurs 
first, conduct a tapping test inspection for bonding separation on all 
blades with a serial number (S/N) less than 18912, and blades, P/N 
365A12-0020-00 or 365A12-0020-01, with a S/N equal to or greater than 
18912. If bonding separation or a crack is found, replace the blade 
with an airworthy blade before further flight.
    (2) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, conduct a 
tapping test inspection for bonding separation on blades, P/N 365A12-
0020-02 or 365A12-0020-03, in Zone A as depicted in Figure 1 of this 
AD.
    (i) If bonding separation exceeds the criteria specified in 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this AD or if a crack is found, replace the 
blade with an airworthy blade before further flight.
    (ii) If bonding separation is present and within tolerance of the 
criteria specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this AD, conduct a 
tapping test before the first flight of the day and as often as 
necessary during the day ensuring that the TIS between tapping tests 
does not exceed 10 hours TIS between tapping tests.
    (iii) Within 25 hours TIS after the discovery of skin debonding in 
Zone A, remove and replace the blade with an airworthy blade.
    (3) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or 200 
cycles, whichever occurs first, conduct a tapping test inspection for 
bonding separation on blades, P/N 365A12-0020-02 or 365A12-0020-03, in 
Zone B as depicted in Figure 1 of this AD. If a crack, wrinkling, or a 
blister is found, replace the blade with an airworthy blade before 
further flight.
    (d) Within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
100 hours TIS or 200 cycles, whichever occurs first, measure the blade-
to-air duct clearance. If the clearance is less than 3 mm, replace the 
blade with an airworthy blade before further flight.
    (e) For blades, P/N 365A12-0020-02 or 365A12-0020-03, with a S/N 
equal to or greater than 32944, except for S/N 32963 through 33091, S/N 
33116 through 33187, or S/N 33232 through 33319:
    (1) Within 10 hours TIS, replace blades with 150 or more hours TIS 
with an airworthy blade.
    (2) On or before 160 hours TIS, replace blades with less than 150 
hours TIS with an airworthy blade.
    (f) This AD revises the Limitations section of the maintenance 
manual by establishing a 160-hour TIS life limit for blades, P/N 
365A12-0020-02 and 365A12-0020-03, with a S/N equal to or greater than 
32944, except for S/N 32963 through 33091, S/N 33116 through 33187, and 
S/N 33232 through 33319.
    (g) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, for 
information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on June 20, 2003, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective 
by Emergency AD 2003-08-53, issued April 23, 2003, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD Nos. T2003-155(A) and 
T2003-156(A), both dated April 17, 2003.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 28, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-14134 Filed 6-4-03; 8:45 am]
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