[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45183-45184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22640]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-09-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model 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-366G1
helicopters, with certain main rotor head frequency adapters (frequency
adapters) installed. This proposal would require inspecting the
frequency adapter to determine if a certain frequency adapter is
installed, and if so, removing and discarding the frequency adapter and
replacing it with an airworthy frequency adapter before further flight.
This proposal is prompted by one report of disbonding of the metal
center section of a frequency adapter from the elastomer, caused by a
lack of adherence during the production process. The actions specified
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent vibrations caused by
disbonding of the center section of a frequency adapter from the
elastomer, that could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-SW-09-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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer,
Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, 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. 97-SW-09-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 Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-SW-09-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
Discussion
The Direction General De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1
helicopters that have been fitted with a frequency adapter, part number
(P/N) 704A33-640-031 (E1T2624-01A), or delivered in pairs under the P/N
365A31-1858-01, manufactured before April 1, 1991, with serial number
(S/N) equal to or less than 8188; and P/N 704A33-640-046 (E1T3023-01),
or delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-02, manufactured before
April 1, 1991, with S/N equal to or less than 3122. The DGAC advises
that disbonding between the center metal section and the elastomer of
the frequency adapter may occur.
Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter France SA-366 Service
Bulletin, No. 01.23, dated May 9, 1996, which specifies a visual
inspection of the frequency adapter face to determine its P/N, S/N, and
date of manufacture. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued AD 96-116-019(B), dated June 19, 1996, 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 SA-366G1 helicopters
of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed
AD would require inspecting the frequency adapter to determine if a
certain frequency adapter is installed, and if so, removing and
discarding the frequency adapter and replacing it with an airworthy
frequency adapter.
The FAA estimates that 91 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
[[Page 45184]]
approximately 6 work hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts would cost approximately $5,200 per helicopter. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $505,960.
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 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. 97-SW-09-AD.
Applicability: Model SA-366G1 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
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 (c) 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service
or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent vibrations caused by disbonding of the center section
of a frequency adapter from the elastomer, that could result in loss
of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Determine the part number, serial number, and date of
manufacture of the main rotor head frequency adapter (frequency
adapter).
(b) After making the determination in paragraph (a) and before
further flight, if frequency adapter part number (P/N) 704A33-640-
031 (E1T2624-01A), or delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-
01, manufactured before April 1, 1991, with serial number (S/N)
equal to or less than 8188; and P/N 704A33-640-046 (E1T3023-01), or
delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-02, manufactured before
April 1, 1991, with S/N equal to or less than 3122 is installed,
remove the frequency adapter and replace it with an airworthy
frequency adapter.
Note 2: Eurocopter France SA-366 Service Bulletin No. 01.23,
dated May 9, 1996, pertains to this AD.
(c) 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 Directorate,
Rotorcraft Standards Staff. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(d) 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.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 19, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-22640 Filed 8-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
