[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34746-34747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16477]
[[Page 34746]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-26-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-360C, SA-
365C, C1, C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and 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) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-360C,
SA-365C, C1, C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. This
proposal would require inspecting and, if necessary, replacing certain
circuit breakers. This proposal is prompted by the manufacturer
discovering the loss of electrical continuity between the terminals of
a circuit breaker. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent loss of electrical power, loss of instrumentation,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 30, 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-26-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carroll Wright, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5120, 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-26-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-26-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
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 SA-360C, SA-365C, C1,
C2, AS-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. The DGAC advises
of the loss of electrical continuity on certain single-pole circuit
breakers.
Eurocopter France has issued three service bulletins, all dated
December 11, 1997. Service Bulletin No. 01.36 is applicable to Model
SA-360/365C, C1, and C2 helicopters; Service Bulletin No. 01.24 is
applicable to Model SA-366G1 helicopters; and Service Bulletin 01.00.45
is applicable to Model AS-365N, N1, and N2 helicopters. All of these
service bulletins specify inspecting Crouzet single-pole circuit
breakers, Part Number (P/N) 84-400-028 through P/N 84-400-037, and
replacing all circuit breakers that have any loss of electrical
continuity. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory
and issued AD 98-111-021(A), AD 98-112-042(A), and AD 98-113-043(A),
all dated March 11, 1998, in order to assure 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 has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of these type designs 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-360C, SA-365C, C1,
C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters of the same type
design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require
inspecting of any Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers, P/N 84-400-028
through P/N 84-400-037, and replacing all circuit breakers that have a
loss of electrical continuity. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described
previously.
The FAA estimates that 136 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.5 work
hour per helicopter to accomplish the inspection and replacement, and
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $23 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $7,208.
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
[[Page 34747]]
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 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-26-AD.
Applicability: Model SA-360C, SA-365C, C1, C2, SA-365N, N1, AS-
365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters, with Crouzet single-pole circuit
breaker, part number (P/N) 84-400-028 through P/N 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
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 (e) 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 loss of electrical power, loss of instrumentation,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 3
calendar months, whichever occurs first,
(1) For Model SA-360C, and SA-365C, C1, and C2 helicopters,
inspect the electrical master box assembly, flotation gear unit
assembly, and ground receptacle Crouzet circuit breakers for
electrical continuity in accordance with section 2B of the
Accomplishment Instructions contained in Eurocopter France Service
Bulletin (SB) No. 01.36, dated December 11, 1997.
(2) For Model SA-365N, N1, and AS-365N2 helicopters, inspect the
electrical master box assembly, flotation gear unit assembly, and
ground receptacle Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers for
electrical continuity in accordance with section 2B of the
Accomplishment Instructions contained in SB No. 01.00.45, dated
December 11, 1997.
(3) For Model SA-366G1 helicopters, inspect the electrical
master box assembly, flotation gear unit assembly, and ground
receptacle Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers for electrical
continuity in accordance with section 2B of the Accomplishment
Instructions contained in SB 01.24, dated December 11, 1997.
(b) On or before 500 hours TIS or 6 calendar months, whichever
occurs first, inspect all remaining Crouzet single-pole circuit
breakers in accordance with section 2B of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the applicable SB.
(c) Any replacement single-pole circuit breaker installed, or
any single-pole circuit breaker removed and reinstalled, must be
inspected prior to further flight in accordance with paragraph 2.B.
of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable SB.
(d) Remove any affected part-numbered circuit breaker and
replace with an airworthy circuit breaker on or before December 31,
1999.
(e) 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
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(f) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale De L'Aviation Civile AD 98-112-042(A), AD 98-113-043(A),
and AD 98-111-021(A), all dated March 11, 1998.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 22, 1999.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-16477 Filed 6-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
