[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60845-60847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26466]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-58-AD; Amendment 39-13343; AD 2003-21-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, AS332L, 
AS332L1, and AS332L2 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 (Eurocopter) model helicopters that 
requires inspecting certain main rotor blades for disbonds, which may 
be indicated by cracking, and repairing or replacing each main rotor 
blade (MRB) as necessary. This amendment is prompted by the discovery 
of disbonded leading edge protective strips. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect disbonding between the stainless steel 
protective strip and the MRB skin, which could cause loss of the 
protective strip, an out-of-balance condition, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 28, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 28, 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: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5130, 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 July 16, 2003 (68 FR 41970). That action proposed 
to require inspecting each MRB for disbonding within 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS) and repairing or replacing each MRB as necessary. That 
action also proposed repetitive inspections at different intervals, 
based on the MRB serial number.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Eurocopter Model AS332 C, L, and L1 helicopters. 
The DGAC advises that checking each MRB to ensure the adhesion of the 
glass cloth blade cap, which is located between the MRB skin and the 
leading edge stainless steel protective strips, is necessary.
    Eurocopter has issued AS 332 Service Bulletin 05.00.22, Revision 4, 
dated April 6, 2000, for the Model AS332C, L, L1, and L2 helicopters, 
which specifies checking for cracking developing spanwise along the 
stainless steel leading edge over a chordwise width of 0 to 6mm aft of 
the stainless steel strip on the MRB upper and lower surfaces. If 
spanwise cracking is found that is greater than 30mm or if the distance 
between two cracks is less than 40mm, a sound check using a tapping 
method to check the bonding is specified. If disbonding is present, 
measuring the depth of each disbond with a feeler gauge is specified. 
If the depth of the disbond exceeds 10mm, returning the MRB to the 
works for repair is specified. If no disbonding is present, or if the 
disbond is less than 10mm, reconditioning the MRB by removing the 
cracked caulking material and recaulking the blade is specified. The 
DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 1988-
099-035(A) R5, dated June 14, 2000, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of certain 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. With the 
exception of a change in the point of contact under the caption FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, the FAA has

[[Page 60846]]

determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption 
of the rule as proposed; the change will neither increase the economic 
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    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 3 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per helicopter 
to inspect each MRB (8 hours per helicopter), and 6 work hours to 
remove and replace 2 MRB's per helicopter. The average labor rate is 
$65 per work hour. The estimated cost of parts is $50,000 for each 
blade. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $302,730.
    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

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:

2003-21-08 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13343. Docket No. 2002-
SW-58-AD.

    Applicability:
    Group 1: Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters with main rotor 
blade (MRB), part number (P/N) 332A11-0022-00 through -03; P/N 
332A11-0022-04, except those incorporating MOD 0740596; P/N 332A11-
0024-00 through -05; and P/N 332A11-0025-00 through -05, installed 
certificated in any category.
    Group 2: Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters with MRB, P/N 
332A11-0022-04, that incorporates MOD 0740596; P/N 332A11-0024-06 
and all higher dash numbers; and P/N 332A11-0025-06 and all higher 
dash numbers; and Model AS332L2 helicopters with MRB, P/N 332A11-
0040 all dash numbers, 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 accordance with paragraph (e) 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: Helicopters listed in ``Group 1'' of the 
``Applicability'' section of this AD, comply within 100 hours time-
in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours 
TIS for MRB's having a serial number listed in the following table:

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     126         127         131         132         134        137        139        154        156        160
     162         168         171         176         196        208        209        211        219        223
     224         225         226         242         253        261        272        310        327        342
     377         378         379         381         383        386        391        392        394        395
     398         399         404         419         422        423        424        425        426        443
     455         456         458         462         482        668        744        885        909       1019
    1031        1032        1033        1036        1051       1055       1061       1070       1099       1101
    1106        1117        1151        1155        1157       1158       1162       1167       1168       1169
    1186        1198        1201        1205        1210       1213       1242       1246       1248       1268
    1332        1410        1524
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    For helicopters listed in ``Group 1'' of the ``Applicability'' 
section of this AD, with MRB's having a serial number not listed in 
the previous table, comply within 100 hours TIS, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 250 hours TIS.
    For helicopters listed in ``Group 2'' of the ``Applicability'' 
section of this AD, with MRB's having 400 or more hours TIS, comply 
within 100 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 
hours TIS; and
    For helicopters listed in ``Group 2'' of the ``Applicability'' 
section of this AD, with MRB's having less than 400 hours TIS, 
comply prior to the MRB's accumulating 500 hours TIS, and thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS.
    To detect disbonding between the stainless steel protective 
strip and the MRB skin, which could cause loss of the protective 
strip, an out-of-balance condition, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect each MRB for disbonding in accordance with paragraph 
2.B.1. of the Accomplishment Instructions in Eurocopter AS 332 
Service Bulletin No. 05.00.22, Revision 4, dated April 6, 2000 (SB).
    (b) If there is spanwise cracking which exceeds 30mm (1.18 
inches) or there are 2 or more cracks with less than 40mm (1.57 
inches) spacing, remove or support the MRB, remove any protective 
shield, and perform a tapping test on the leading edge of the MRB.
    (c) If the tapping test does not indicate a disbond, repair the 
crack in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.a) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the SB and recaulk and apply touch-up paint in 
accordance with paragraph 2.B.3. of the Accomplishment Instructions 
in the SB.
    (d) If the tapping test indicates a disbond, measure the depth 
of the disbond in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.b) and 2.B.2.c) of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in the SB.
    (1) If disbonding is less than 10mm in depth, repair the crack 
in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.a) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the SB, and recaulk and apply touch-up paint in 
accordance with paragraph

[[Page 60847]]

2.B.3. of the Accomplishment Instructions in the SB.
    (2) If disbonding is 10mm or greater in depth, the MRB is 
unairworthy and must be replaced before further flight.
    (e) 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.

    (f) 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.
    (g) The inspections and repairs of the MRB shall be done in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Eurocopter France 
AS 332 Service Bulletin No. 05.00.22, Revision 4, dated April 6, 
2000. 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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on November 28, 2003.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 1988-099-035(A) R5, dated 
June 14, 2000.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 9, 2003.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26466 Filed 10-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P