[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1353-1354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-504]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1
helicopters. This proposal would require replacing certain electrical
modules with airworthy electrical modules. This proposal is prompted by
the discovery of several defective electrical modules. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical
continuity, which could cause loss of critical systems and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas. Comments may be inspected at this location between
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McCallister, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5121, 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,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice 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 comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-14-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the
airworthiness authority for France, has notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 helicopters.
The DGAC advises of the discovery of malfunctions due to faulty
``CONNECTRAL'' modules on electrical circuits of a Super Puma AS332
helicopter. Model AS332 and SA-366G1 helicopters use the same type of
``CONNECTRAL'' modules.
Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 01.25,
dated May 28, 1998, (SB) for Model SA-366G1 helicopters. The SB
specifies inspecting and replacing each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical
module manufactured between week 95/16 through 96/21. The manufacturing
codes identify the year and week of module production. Only green
electrical modules without a white dot on the face need to be replaced.
The DGAC classified this SB as mandatory and issued AD 98-251-022(A),
dated July 1, 1998, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
helicopters in France.
This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness 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 this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 helicopters
of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed
AD would require replacing each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical module
that does not have a white dot on the face and that has a manufacturing
code of 95/16 through 96/21 with an airworthy electrical module. Those
manufacturing codes identify modules manufactured between the beginning
of the 16th week of 1995 and the end of the 21st week of 1996.
Replacing the electrical modules with a white dot on the face is not
required because the manufacturer has verified the proper functioning
of these units.
The FAA estimates that 94 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 100 work
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $2,969 for the maximum number of modules replaced per
helicopter, but the helicopter manufacturer has stated that the parts
will be provided at no cost. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$564,000.
The regulations proposed herein would not have 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
to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment 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,
[[Page 1354]]
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. 99-SW-14-AD.
Applicability: Model SA-366G1 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 within 400 hours time-in-service or within
6 calendar months, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of electrical continuity, which could cause loss
of required systems and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical module that
does not have a white dot on the face and that has a manufacturing
code of 95/16 through 96/21 with an airworthy electrical module.
Those manufacturing codes identify modules manufactured between the
beginning of the 16th week of 1995 and the end of the 21st week of
1996.
Note 2: Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.25, dated May
28, 1998, pertains to the subject of this AD.
(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, Regulations 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, Regulations Group.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Regulations Group.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale De L'Aviation Civile AD 98-251-022(A), dated July 1, 1998.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 3, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-504 Filed 1-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
