[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 18 (Thursday, January 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4288-4290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1236]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-41-AD; Amendment 39-11005; AD 99-02-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives, Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and
L1 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, L, and L1
helicopters, that requires the replacement of certain main rotor hub
spindles (spindles) and flapping hinge pins (pins). This amendment is
prompted by testing of aged frequency adapters, which shows that
premature failure of the spindles and pins can occur due to increased
loading from increased stiffness of the aged frequency
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adapters. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the
loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: Effective March 4, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 4, 1999.
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: Mike Mathias, Aerospace, Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas
76137, telephone 817-222-5123, fax 817-222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter Model AS332C, L, and L1
helicopters was published in the Federal Register on October 27, 1998
(63 FR 57257). That action proposed to require replacing certain
spindles and pins.
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.
The FAA estimates that 4 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$21,600 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $87,360.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial director
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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
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
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:
AD 99-02-13 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11005. Docket No. 97-
SW-41-AD.
Applicability: Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, L,
and L1 helicopters with main rotor hub spindles (spindles), part
number (P/N) 332A31-1390-00 through -07 or 332A31-1398-00 or
flapping hinge pin (pin), P/N 332A31-1380-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
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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (g) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alternation, or repair
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the spindles or pins that could result in
loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) For the spindles and pins that have never been overhauled,
remove the spindles and pins and replace them with airworthy
spindles and pins in accordance with paragraphs 2.B.1)a) through
2.B.1)d) and 2.B.2) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter
France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.44, dated March 26, 1996 (SB), as
follows:
(i) Within 6 calendar months of spindles and pins that have been
in service for 12 or more calendar years.
(ii) Within 18 calendar months for spindles and pins that have
been in service for 8 or more calendar years but less than 12
calendar years.
(b) For the spindles and pins that have been overhauled at least
once, remove the spindles and pins and replace them with airworthy
spindles and pins in accordance with paragraphs 2.B.1)a) through
2.B.1)d) and 2.B.2) of the SB as follows:
(i) Within 3 calendar months for spindles and pins that have
been in service for 6 or more calendar years since last overhaul.
(ii) Within 15 calendar months for spindles and pins that have
been in service for 4 or more calendar years but less than 6
calendar years since last overhaul.
(c) Remove spindle, Serial Number (S/N) FR 25012, and pins, S/
N's M 243, FR 139, FR 230, M 127, or M 112, and replace them with
airworthy spindles and pins in accordance with paragraphs 2.B.1)a)
through 2.B.1)d) and 2.B.2) of the SB within 6 calendar months.
(d) Remove spindle, S/N FR 25866, and replace it with an
airworthy spindle in accordance with paragraphs 2.B.1)a) through
2.B.1)d) and 2.B.2) of the SB within 18 calendar months.
(e) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the
Maintenance Manual by establishing a new retirement life of 8
calendar years for the spindles, P/N 332A31-1390-00 through -07 and
332A31-1398-00, and pins, P/N 332A31-1380-all dash numbers, except
as otherwise specifically limited by this AD.
(f) Installation of a main rotor hub with modification 332A07-
43100 constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this
AD.
(g) 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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,
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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
[[Page 4290]]
obtained from the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(h) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 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.
(i) The modification shall be done in accordance with paragraphs
2.B.1)a) through 2.B.1)d) and 2.B.2) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.44,
dated March 26, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved
by the Director of the Federal Register 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 Capital Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
(j) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 1999.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 96-100-058-(B), dated May
22, 1996.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 12, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1236 Filed 1-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
