[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60284-60286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26467]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-10-AD; Amendment 39-13344; AD 2003-21-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS355E, F, F1, 
F2, and N Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model 
helicopters. The existing AD currently requires certain checks of the 
magnetic chip detector plug (chip detector) and the main gearbox (MGB) 
oil-sight glass; and certain inspections of the lubrication pump (pump) 
and replacing the MGB and the pump with an airworthy MGB and pump, if 
necessary. Also, the AD requires that a before a MGB or pump with any 
time-in-service (TIS) can be installed, it must meet the AD 
requirements. This amendment requires the same actions as the existing 
AD but corrects the wording to state that the

[[Page 60285]]

check of the chip detector is for sludge rather than metal particles. 
This amendment is prompted by the need to correct the wording because 
the term ``metal particles'' may be misleading. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to detect sludge on the chip detector, to 
prevent failure of the MGB pump, seizure of the MGB, loss of drive to 
an engine and main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 26, 2003.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
superseding AD 2002-21-51, Amendment 39-12982 (67 FR 77401, December 
18, 2002) for the specified Eurocopter model helicopters was published 
in the Federal Register on July 16, 2003 (68 FR 41977). The action 
proposed to require checking the chip detector and the MGB oil-sight 
glass for dark oil; taking an oil sample if dark oil is observed; 
further inspection of the pump, if necessary; and replacing the MGB and 
the pump with an airworthy MGB and pump, if necessary. Also, the action 
proposed to require that before a MGB or pump with any TIS could be 
installed, it must meet the requirements of the AD. The action also 
proposed to replace the words ``metal particles'' with the word 
``sludge'' and to define ``sludge.'' The term ``sludge'' is used to 
describe a deposit on the chip detector. This deposit may have both 
metallic and nonmetallic properties. It is typically dark in color and 
in the form of a film or paste, as compared to metal chips or particles 
normally found on the chip detector.
    An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot 
certificate may perform the visual checks for sludge on the chip 
detector and for dark oil in the MGB oil-sight glass and must enter 
compliance with those requirements into the helicopter maintenance 
records in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot 
may perform these checks because they only involve visual checks for 
sludge on the chip detector, which can be removed without the use of 
tools, and for dark oil in the MGB oil-sight glass and can be performed 
equally well by a pilot or a mechanic.
    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 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 14 CFR part 39, we no longer need 
to include it in each individual AD.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect approximately 105 
helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take 
approximately 10 minutes to check the chip detector and the MGB oil 
sight glass, 4 work hours to remove the MGB and pump, 1 work hour to 
inspect the pump, and 4 work hours to install a serviceable MGB and 
pump. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will 
cost approximately $4000 for an overhauled pump and up to $60,000 for 
an overhauled MGB per helicopter. The manufacturer has represented to 
the FAA that the standard warranty applies if failure occurs within the 
first 2 years and operating time is less than 1000 hours. Based on 
these figures, the FAA estimates a total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $337,540 per year, assuming replacement of one MGB and 
pump on one helicopter per year and a daily check on all helicopters 
for 260 days per year.
    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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

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 removing Amendment 39-12982 (67 FR 
77401, December 18, 2002) and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-13344, to read as follows:

2003-21-09 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13344. Docket No. 2003-
SW-10-AD. Supersedes AD 2002-21-51, Amendment 39-12982, Docket No. 
2002-SW-48-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, with 
a main gearbox (MGB) lubrication pump (pump), part number 355A32-
0700-00, -01, -01M, installed, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the MGB pump, seizure of the MGB, loss of 
drive to an engine and main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before the first flight of each day and at intervals not to 
exceed 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), check the MGB magnetic chip 
detector plug (chip detector) for any sludge. Also, check for dark 
oil in the MGB oil-sight glass. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at 
least a private pilot certificate may perform this visual check and 
must enter compliance into the aircraft maintenance records in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v). ``Sludge'' is a 
deposit on the chip detector that is typically dark in color and in 
the form of a film or paste, as compared to metal chips or particles 
normally found on a chip detector. Sludge may have both metallic or 
nonmetallic properties, may consist of copper (pinion bearing), 
magnesium (pump case), and steel (pinion) from the oil pump, and a 
nonmetallic substance from the chemical breakdown of the oil as it 
interacts with the metal.

    Note 1: Eurocopter France Alert Telex No. 05.00.40 R1, dated 
November 27, 2002, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (b) Before further flight, if any sludge is found on the chip 
detector, inspect the pump.

[[Page 60286]]

    (c) Before further flight, if the oil appears dark in color when 
it is observed through the MGB oil-sight glass, take an oil sample. 
If the oil taken in the sample is dark or dark purple, before 
further flight, inspect the pump.
    (d) While inspecting the pump, if you find any of the following, 
replace the MGB and the pump with an airworthy MGB and pump before 
further flight:
    (1) Crank pin play,
    (2) Out of round bronze bushing (A of Figure 1),
    (3) Offset of the driven gear pinion,
    (4) Metal chips, or
    (5) Wear (C of Figure 1).
    See the following Figure 1:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22OC03.002


    Note 2: If wear is present in the B area only as depicted in 
Figure 1, replacing the MGB and the pump is not required.

    (e) Before installing a different MGB or a pump with any TIS, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (f) 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 Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
for information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 2003.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2002-331-071(A) R1, dated 
January 22, 2003.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 10, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26467 Filed 10-21-03; 8:45 am]
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