[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3891-3893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1027]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0041; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 355 N 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS 355 N helicopters. This 
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to 
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the technical Agent for France, 
with which we have a bilateral agreement states in the MCAI:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued because it was found 
that the power drawn by the starter generators from the engines is 
above the consumption capacity at altitudes above 3,000 meters, 
declared for the engines of AS 355 N helicopters.
    Excessive power consumption of the starter generators reduces 
the engine surge margin, which can result in engine failure.

    After engine start, the starter generator functions as the normal 
operational electrical generator.
    The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address 
this unsafe condition.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 22, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

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: 

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0041; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-16-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued an 
MCAI in the form of EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0338, dated 
November 7, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct 
an unsafe condition for these French-certificated products. The MCAI 
states:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued because it was found 
that the power drawn by the starter generators from the engines is 
above the consumption capacity at altitudes above 3,000 meters, 
declared for the engines of AS 355 N helicopters.
    Excessive power consumption of the starter generators reduces 
the engine surge margin, which can result in engine failure.

    The starter-generator is a single unit that operates as both an 
engine starter generator and after starting, as an operational 
generator. The EASA AD and the Eurocopter service bulletin refer to 
this unit as a starter generator when used as a generator. The starter 
generator requires energy from the engine to generate electricity. When 
the electrical current exceeds 100 amps, the load on the engine reduces 
the engine surge margin and may cause the engine to surge and flame 
out.
    Therefore, at altitudes above 10,000 feet, the maximum continuous 
current

[[Page 3892]]

supplied by each starter generator must be limited to 100 amps to 
prevent engine surging.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and 
service information in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.52, Revision 
1, dated September 14, 2006. The actions described in the MCAI are 
intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in the 
service information.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all 
pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in the ``Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI'' 
section in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 17 helicopters 
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 15 minutes 
to install the placard in each helicopter. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. The manufacturer states in its service bulletin that 
the ``labels will be delivered free of charge on the Operator's 
order.'' Because the manufacturer has indicated it will provide the 
placard free of charge, we have assumed there will be no charge for 
these placards. However, because we do not control warranty coverage 
for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than 
estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $340 or $20 per helicopter.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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. 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2008-0041; Directorate Identifier 
2007-SW-16-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by February 22, 2008.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model AS 355 N helicopters, certificated 
in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued because it was found 
that the power drawn by the starter generators from the engines is 
above the consumption capacity at altitudes above 3,000 meters, 
declared for the engines of AS 355 N helicopters.
    Excessive power consumption of the starter generators reduces 
the engine surge margin, which can result in engine failure.

    The starter-generator is a single unit that is operated both as 
an engine starter generator and after starting, as an operational 
generator. The EASA AD and the Eurocopter service bulletin refer to 
this unit as a starter generator. The starter generator requires 
energy from the engine to generate electricity. When the electrical 
current exceeds 100 amps, the load on the engine reduces the engine 
surge margin and may cause the engine to surge and flame out.
    Therefore, at altitudes above 10,000 feet, the maximum 
continuous current supplied by each starter generator must be 
limited to 100 amps to prevent engine surging.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within 100 hours time-in-service or within 12 months, 
whichever occurs first, unless already done, do the following 
actions:
    (1) Install a limitation placard (indicating the new load 
limitation for the starter generator) on the overhead instrument 
panel, immediately below the ammeter.
    (2) The placard must state the following: Maximum continuous 
load per generator 100A IF Hp>10000 ft.

Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI

    (f) None.

Subject

    (g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 2435--
Electrical Power Starter Generator, 80--Starting.

[[Page 3893]]

Other Information

    (h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Send information to ATTN: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-
5961.
    (2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions. 
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved 
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the 
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the 
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy 
before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (i) MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive No. 2006-0338, dated 
November 7, 2006, and Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin, Revision 1, 
No. 01.00.52, dated September 14, 2006, contain related information.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 27, 2007.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1027 Filed 1-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P