[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42957-42958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17948]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-56-AD; Amendment 39-13231; AD 2003-14-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330F, G, and 
J; AS332C, L, and L1; SA341G; SA342J; AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D; 
AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N; SA-365C, C1, and C2; SA-365N and N1; and AS-
365N2 and N3 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 
determining whether specified main or tail rotor (rotor) parts are 
installed and, if so, updating and recording the correct hours time-in-
service (TIS) or cycles of each part. If the hours TIS or cycles of any 
rotor part exceed its life limit, this AD also requires replacing that 
part with an airworthy part within 50 hours TIS. This amendment is 
prompted by the need to correct the Equipment Log Card (FME) to 
accurately reflect the total hours TIS and cycles of certain repaired 
or overhauled rotor parts. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of a life limited rotor part, loss of a 
rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective August 25, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 25, 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: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on March 14, 2003 (68 FR 12318). That action proposed 
to require determining whether specified rotor parts are installed and, 
if so, updating and recording the correct hours TIS or cycles of each 
part. If the hours TIS or cycles of any rotor part exceed its life 
limit, this AD would also require replacing that part with an airworthy 
part within 50 hours TIS.
    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 SA330F, G, and J; AS332C, L, and L1; 
SA341G; SA342J; AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D; AS355E, F, F1, F2 and N; 
SA-365C, C1, and C2; SA-365N and N1; and AS-365 N2 and N3 helicopters. 
The DGAC advises of the discovery of a discrepancy in the computer 
program used to carry over the number of operating hours of parts 
following repair or overhaul, which is the cause of incorrect 
completion of FMEs.
    ECF has issued the following Alert Telexes for the helicopter model 
series specified: Nos. 65.110 for SA330, 62.00.58 for AS332, 65.60 for 
SA341 and SA342, 62.00.25 for AS350, 62.00.27 for AS355, 65.41 for SA-
365C, and 62.00.19 for AS-365N, all dated August 13, 2002. These alert 
telexes specify correcting the FME to list the correct total number of 
operating hours and cycles for specified parts installed on dynamic 
components. After correcting the FME, if the parts have exceeded their 
life limit, the alert telexes specify removing or monitoring the parts. 
The DGAC classified these alert telexes as mandatory and issued AD No. 
2002-452(A), dated September 4, 2002, 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 
helicopters of the same type designs registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the AD requires, within 10 hours TIS, determining whether 
the specified rotor part and serial numbers are installed by reference 
to the FME and, if installed, correcting the hours TIS and cycles. If a 
part exceeds its life limit, the AD requires replacing the part within 
50 hours TIS. The actions would be required for the parts listed in the 
appendix of the alert telexes described previously.
    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.
    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. However, 
for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we have retained the 
language of the NPRM regarding that material.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 760 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and the required actions will take approximately 1 work hour 
to determine the part and serial number and 8 hours to replace each 
affected part on 38 helicopters (5 percent of the total affected 
helicopters). The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $64,560 depending on which part will be 
replaced. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators will be $2,517,120.
    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.

[[Page 42958]]

    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

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:

2003-14-12 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13231. Docket No. 2002-
SW-56-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA330F, G, and J; AS332C, L, and L1; 
SA341G; SA342J; AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D; AS355E, F, F1, F2, 
and N; SA-365C, C1, and C2; SA-365N and N1; and AS-365N2 and N3 
helicopters, 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of a life-limited, main or tail rotor (rotor) 
part, loss of a rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), determine by 
reference to the equipment log card (FME) whether any rotor part and 
serial number specified in Table 1, paragraph 3, of the Appendix of 
each of the following Eurocopter France (ECF) Alert Telexes for the 
specified helicopter model series is installed: Nos. 65.110 for 
SA330, 62.00.58 for AS332, 65.60 for SA341 and SA342, 62.00.25 for 
AS350, 62.00.27 for AS355, 65.41 for SA-365C, and 62.00.19 for 
SA365N and AS-365, all dated August 13, 2002.
    (1) If none of the parts are installed, no further action is 
required.
    (2) For each affected part listed in Table 1, paragraph 3, of 
the Appendix of each applicable ECF Alert Telex specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, add the hours TIS and cycles to the hours 
TIS and cycles recorded on the FME. If a part exceeds its life limit 
in TIS or cycles, replace the part with an airworthy part within 50 
hours TIS.
    (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, Safety Management 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, Safety Management Group.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Safety Management 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.
    (d) Determine the rotor part and serial number for the specified 
helicopter model series in accordance with Table 1, paragraph 3, of 
the Appendix of the applicable Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 65.110 for 
SA330, 62.00.58 for AS332, 65.60 for SA341 and SA342, 62.00.25 for 
AS350, 62.00.27 for AS355, 65.41 for SA-365C, and 62.00.19 for 
SA365N and AS-365, all dated August 13, 2002. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 25, 2003.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 2002-452(A), dated 
September 4, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 1, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17948 Filed 7-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P