[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 97 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27483-27484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12688]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-59-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and
L1 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 AS332C, L, and L1
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 July 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-59-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. 98-SW-59-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. 98-SW-59-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, and L1
helicopters. The DGAC advises of the discovery of malfunctions due to
faulty ``CONNECTRAL'' modules on electrical circuits of a Super Puma
AS332 helicopter.
Eurocopter France issued Service Bulletin No. 01.00.51, dated May
4, 1998 (S/B), for Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters. The S/B
specifies inspecting and replacing each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical
module manufactured from week 95/16 to week 96/21. The manufacturing
code identifies the year and week of module production. The electrical
modules identified by a white dot on the face are airworthy and do not
need to be replaced. The DGAC classified this S/B as mandatory and
issued AD No. 98-254-070(A), dated July 1, 1998, 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
section 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 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 AS332C, L, and L1
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States,
the proposed AD would require replacing each ``CONNECTRAL'' green
electrical module that has a manufacturing code 95/16 through 96/21
engraved on a side 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 identified 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 three helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 320 work
hours per helicopter to replace all affected modules. The average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately
$23,484, 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 $57,600 to
replace all affected modules.
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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
[[Page 27484]]
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. 98-SW-59-AD.
Applicability: Model AS332C, L, and L1 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 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
within the next 3 calendar months, whichever occurs first, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent loss of electrical continuity, which could cause loss
of critical systems, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Remove and replace each ``CONNECTRAL'' green electrical
module that does not have a white dot on the face and that has a
manufacturing code 95/16 through 96/21 engraved on a side, 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. 01.00.51, dated
May 4, 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, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
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 Certification
Office.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.
(c) 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 98-254-070(A), dated
July 1, 1998.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 12, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12688 Filed 5-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
