[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11764-11765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5725]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-11068; AD 99-06-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, and
L1, and L2 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 Model AS 332C, L, L1, and L2
helicopters that requires replacing certain circuit breakers. This
amendment is prompted by the manufacturer discovering, upon testing a
circuit breaker installed in a helicopter, the loss of electrical
continuity between the terminals of the installed circuit breaker. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical
power caused by improper installation of certain circuit breakers, loss
of electical power to instrumentation, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective April 14, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 14, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, Texas 75053-4005. 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: Robert McCallister, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5121, 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 France Model AS 332C,
L, L1, and L2 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on June
23, 1998 (63 FR 34135). That action proposed to require inspection of
any Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, part number (P/N) 84 400 028
through 84 400 037, and replacement of all circuit breakers that have
any loss of electrical continuity.
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 3 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 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
$5,750 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $17,790.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
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:
[[Page 11765]]
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 99-06-04 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11068. Docket No. 98-
SW-01-AD.
Applicability: Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, and L2
helicopters, with Crouzet circuit breaker, part number (P/N) 84 400
028 through 84 400 037, 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 (d) 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, alteration, or repair
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of electrical power, loss of instrumentation,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) On or before 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the
next 3 calendar months, whichever occurs first,
(1) For Model AS 332C, L, and L1, inspect the circuit breakers
listed in paragraph 1.D.1) of the Planning Information in Eurocopter
France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.49, dated June 30, 1997 (SB)
according to the operational procedure in paragraph 2.B. of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the SB;
(2) For Model AS 332L2, inspect the circuit breakers fitted to
the DC power system, the 20 kVA and 30 kVA AC master box, the
emergency flotation gear, and the second battery according to the
operational procedure in paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the SB.
(b) On or before 500 hours TIS or 6 calendar months, whichever
occurs first, inspect all remaining circuit breakers in accordance
with paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the SB.
(c) Except for circuit breaker type 84-402(x), after compliance
with paragraph (a) of this AD, any replacement circuit breaker
installed, or any circuit breaker removed and reinstalled, must be
inspected prior to further flight according to the operational
procedure of paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of
the SB. Replacement of all circuit breakers with circuit breaker
type 84-402(x) is terminating action for the requirements of this
AD.
(d) 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, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate. 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
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(e) 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.
(f) The inspection shall be done in accordance with the
operational procedures in paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.49,
dated June 30, 1997. 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 Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 97-202-062(AB) and 97-201-
007(AB), both dated August 27, 1997.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 14, 1999.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 1, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5725 Filed 3-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
