[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1275-1277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-370]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-29-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 130 B4 and 
AS 350 B3 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model 
helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting the fuel transfer 
line and air exhaust duct for chafing, inspecting the air exhaust duct 
for a hole, and if necessary, repositioning the air exhaust duct to 
achieve the minimum clearances. This proposal is prompted by a report 
of damage to the fuel transfer line due to wear associated with 
vibrations and chafing of the fuel transfer line and the air exhaust 
duct. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect 
chafing wear of the air exhaust duct and the fuel transfer line, which 
could result in a hole in the fuel transfer line, fuel leaking into the 
engine compartment and creating a fire hazard that could lead to a fire 
and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 8, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-SW-29-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically 
to the Rules Docket at the following

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address: [email protected]. Comments may be inspected at the 
Office of the Regional Counsel between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals 
contained in this document may be changed in light of the comments 
received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this proposal must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2003-SW-29-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.

Discussion

    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 EC 130 B4 and AS 350 B3 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of receiving a report of damage to the 
fuel transfer line due to interference associated with vibrations and 
chafing of the bleed valve air exhaust duct.
    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 71A001 for 
Model EC 130 B4 helicopters and ASB No. 71.00.16 for Model AS 350 B3 
helicopters, both of which specify checks for interference between the 
bleed valve air exhaust duct and the engine fuel line. Both ASBs are 
dated May 12, 2003. The DGAC classified these ASBs as mandatory and 
issued ADs No. 2003-208(A) and 2003-209(A), both dated May 28, 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.
    This previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of the same type design registered in the 
United States. Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting the 
fuel transfer line and air exhaust duct for chafing, and if necessary, 
repositioning the air exhaust duct to achieve at least 20 mm (0.8 in) 
of clearance in interference Area A and 12 mm (0.5 in) of clearance in 
interference Area B as depicted in Figure 1 of the Eurocopter Alert 
Service Bulletin. These are one-time inspections. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the ASBs described 
previously.
    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 proposed AD would affect 100 
helicopters of U.S. registry and the proposed inspection would take 
approximately 0.5 work hour per helicopter to accomplish and 1 work 
hour to replace either the fuel transfer line or the air exhaust duct 
at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Cost of replacement 
parts, if needed, would be $817 for the fuel transfer line and $522 for 
the air exhaust duct. Based on these figures, we estimate the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $6,188, assuming 
2 fuel transfer lines and 2 air exhaust ducts are replaced.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Eurocopter France: Docket No. 2003-SW-29-AD.

    Applicability: Model EC 130 B4 helicopters with an optional 
engine flushing system installed, and AS 350 B3 helicopters with an 
optional engine flushing system installed and modified in accordance 
with MOD 073098, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within 10 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To detect chafing wear of the air exhaust duct and the fuel 
transfer line, which could result in a hole in the fuel transfer 
line, fuel leaking into the engine compartment and creating a fire 
hazard that could lead to a fire and a subsequent forced landing, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the fuel transfer line located between the bleed 
valve of the engine starting system and the engine fuel filter for 
chafing

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in the interference areas in accordance with the Operational 
Procedure, paragraph 2.B.1., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 71A001, dated May 12, 2003, for Model EC 130 B4 
helicopters, or Eurocopter ASB No. 71.00.16, dated May 12, 2003, for 
Model AS 350 B3 helicopters.
    (1) If the depth of the deepest wear mark is less than or equal 
to 0.05 mm (0.002 in), apply the maintenance procedure stated in the 
Engine Maintenance Manual.
    (2) If the depth of the deepest wear mark is more than 0.05 mm 
(0.002 in) and less than or equal to 0.2 mm (0.008 in), replace the 
fuel transfer line within the next 50 hours TIS or within one month, 
whichever occurs first.
    (3) If the depth of the deepest wear mark is more than 0.2 mm 
(0.008 in), replace the fuel transfer line before further flight.
    (b) Inspect the air exhaust duct located between the bleed valve 
of the engine starting system and the engine fuel filter for a hole 
in the interference areas in accordance with the Operational 
Procedure, paragraph 2.B.1., of Eurocopter ASB No. 71A001, dated May 
12, 2003, for Model EC 130 B4 helicopters, or Eurocopter ASB No. 
71.00.16, dated May 12, 2003, for Model AS 350 B3 helicopters. If 
there is a hole in the air exhaust duct, replace the air exhaust 
duct within one month or before performing any engine flushing 
operation, whichever occurs first.
    (c) Measure the clearances between the fuel transfer line and 
the air exhaust duct located between the bleed valve of the engine 
starting system and the engine fuel filter in the interference areas 
in accordance with the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.1., of 
Eurocopter ASB No. 71A001, dated May 12, 2003, for Model EC 130 B4 
helicopters, or Eurocopter ASB No. 71.00.16, dated May 12, 2003, for 
Model AS 350 B3 helicopters. If the clearance is less than 20 mm 
(0.8 in) in interference Area A or less than 12 mm (0.5 in) in 
interference Area B, reposition the air exhaust duct in accordance 
with the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.2., of Eurocopter ASB 
No. 71A001, dated May 12, 2003, for Model EC 130 B4 helicopters, or 
Eurocopter ASB No. 71.00.16, dated May 12, 2003, for Model AS 350 B3 
helicopters.
    (d) 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 Manager, Safety Management Office, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA, for information about previously approved 
alternative methods of compliance.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction Generale 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2003-208(A) and AD 2003-209(A), 
both dated May 28, 2003.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 31, 2003.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-370 Filed 1-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P