[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28355-28357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13321]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-61-AD; Amendment 39-11181; AD 99-11-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2 helicopters with a
certain power-loss printed circuit board (PCB) installed. This action
requires replacing that power-loss PCB with an airworthy power-loss
PCB. This amendment is prompted by malfunctions discovered during
environmental testing of the power-loss PCB conducted by the
manufacturer. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
incorrect engine status indications, random activation of the maximum
rotor revolutions-per-minute (RPM) alarm, and failure to reset the One-
Engine Inoperative (OEI) logic after an actual loss of power from one
engine.
DATES: Effective June 10, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before July 26, 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-61-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5296, fax (817)
222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has notified
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model
AS 332L2 helicopters. The DGAC advises that design anomalies of the
power-loss PCB can lead to non-resetting of the OEI logic after failure
of one engine.
Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin 31.00.11,
dated September 8, 1998, which specifies replacing the power-loss PCB,
part number (P/N) SE01958 (Eurocopter
[[Page 28356]]
France P/N 704A47720091) Amendment C or D, with an airworthy power-loss
PCB, P/N SE01973 (Eurocopter France P/N 704A47720109). The manufacturer
advises that design anomalies of the power-loss PCB can lead to
incorrect engine status indications, random activation of the maximum
rotor RPM audio alarm, and non-resetting of the OEI logic after failure
of one engine. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory
and issued AD 98-290-011(A), dated August 12, 1998, in order to assure
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
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 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 AS 332L2 helicopters
of the same type design registered in the United States, this AD is
being issued to prevent incorrect engine status indications, random
activation of the maximum rotor RPM audio alarm, and failure to reset
the OEI logic after an actual loss of power from one engine. This AD
requires replacement of the power-loss PCB, P/N SE01958 (704A47720091)
Amendment C or D, with an airworthy power-loss PCB, P/N SE01973
(704A47720109).
None of the Model AS 332L2 helicopters affected by this action are
on the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in the applicability of
this rule are currently operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry, so they are not directly affected by this AD action. However,
the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure the unsafe
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject
helicopters are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
Cost Impact
If an affected helicopter is imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 3 work hours to
accomplish the replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. The manufacturer has stated that there would be no charge for
parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $180
per helicopter.
Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is
currently on the U.S. Register, and it has no adverse economic impact
and imposes no additional burden on any person, notice and public
procedures are unnecessary, and the amendment may be made effective in
less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by notice and
an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule.
Interested persons are invited to comment 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-SW-61-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted in this amendment 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.
The FAA's Determination
The FAA has determined that notice and prior public comment are
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation and therefore, it can be
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States,
and that it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves
an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this
emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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 99-11-10 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11181. Docket No. 98-
SW-61-AD.
Applicability: Model AS 332L2 helicopters, with power-loss
printed circuit board (PCB), part number (P/N) SE01958 (Eurocopter
France P/N 704A47720091) Amendment C or D, 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
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
[[Page 28357]]
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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent incorrect engine status indications, random
activation of the maximum rotor revolutions-per-minute (RPM) audio
alarm, and failure to reset the One Engine Inoperative (OEI) logic
after an actual loss of power from one engine, accomplish the
following:
(a) Before further flight, remove the power-loss PCB, P/N
SE01958 (Eurocopter France P/N 704A47720091) Amendment C or D, and
replace it with an airworthy power-loss PCB, P/N SE01973 (Eurocopter
France P/N 704A47720109).
(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, FAA, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,
Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests
through a FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 2: You may obtain information concerning the existence of
approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD from the
Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(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.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on June 10, 1999.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale De l'Aviation Civile (France) AD 98-290-011(A), dated
August 12, 1998.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 18, 1999.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-13321 Filed 5-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
