[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1519-1521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-268]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-24-AD; Amendment 39-13423; AD 2004-01-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS355E, F, F1, 
F2, and N Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters that requires 
revising the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) 
to prohibit using the landing light except for landing and takeoff 
until the 40 amp 10P1 and 10P2 contactors are replaced with 50 amp 
circuit breakers. Also, this amendment requires upgrading the 
electrical master boxes. This amendment is prompted by three reports of 
complete loss of electrical power generating systems, except for the 
direct battery power, due to a combination of high outside temperature 
and long flight duration with the landing light on that causes the 
nontemperature compensated trip switches to prematurely trip. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
helicopter power generator systems, loss of the use of flight 
instruments, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective February 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5120, fax (817) 222-
5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified ECF

[[Page 1520]]

model helicopters was published in the Federal Register on September 
18, 2003 (68 FR 54688). That action proposed to require temporarily 
revising the Limitations section of the RFM to prohibit use of the 
landing light except for landing and takeoff by making pen and ink 
changes or adding a copy of the AD to the RFM. Also proposed was, 
within 6 months, or before the next instrument flight rule (IFR) 
flight, whichever occurs first, replacing nontemperature compensated 
40-amp contactors 10P1 and 10P2 with temperature compensated 50-amp 
circuit breakers.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on the specified ECF model helicopters. The DGAC 
advises of three reports of complete electrical power failure, except 
direct battery power, that occurred during flights with high outside 
air temperature (above 25 degrees Celsius) and use of the landing light 
for more than 1 hour. The failures were due to the disengagement of 40-
ampere (amp) contactors (trip switches MP 1648) in the electrical power 
systems below their nominal threshold. These trip switches are not 
temperature compensated and accordingly may trip based on the internal 
temperature of the electrical master boxes.
    Eurocopter has issued Service Telex No. 25.00.63, dated August 2, 
2000 (Telex), specifying to not use the landing light outside the 
landing and takeoff phases and Alert Service Bulletin AS 355, No. 
24.00.14, dated November 28, 2002, specifying an upgrade of the 
electrical master boxes on or before August 1, 2003. The DGAC 
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued AD Nos. 
2000-339-060(A), dated August 23, 2000; 2000-339-060(A) R1, dated 
September 6, 2000; and 2000-339-060(A) R2, dated December 24, 2002, 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 
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.
    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 this AD will:
    [sbull] Affect 442 helicopters of U.S. registry,
    [sbull] Take \1/2\ work hour per helicopter to add information to 
the Limitations section of the RFM, and
    [sbull] Take 4 hours to upgrade the electrical boxes.
    The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. The required parts 
will cost approximately $1707. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $883,779.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2004-01-09 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13423. Docket No. 2003-
SW-24-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the electrical power generating systems, 
loss of the use of flight instruments, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before further flight and until you replace the circuit 
breakers in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD, revise the 
Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to 
prohibit use of the landing light except for the landing and takeoff 
phases of flight by making pen and ink changes, or inserting a copy 
of this AD into the Limitations section of the RFM.

    Note 1: Eurocopter France Service Telex 25.00.63, dated August 
2, 2000, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (b) Within 6 months or before the next instrument flight rule 
(IFR) operation, whichever occurs first, upgrade the electrical 
master boxes and replace the nontemperature compensated 40-amp 
contactors (circuit breakers) 10P1 and 10P2 with temperature 
compensated 50-amp circuit breakers, part number P/N 84-306-050 (B) 
or 5TC50-50 (C), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin AS355, No. 
24.00.14, dated November 28, 2002.
    (c) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA, for information about previously approved 
alternative methods of compliance.
    (d) Modifying the electrical master boxes and replacing the 
nontemperature compensated 40-amp contractors (circuit breakers) 
must be done in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin AS 
355, No. 24.00.14, dated November 28, 2002. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 13, 2004.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) ADs 2000-339-060(A) dated 
August 23, 2000; 2000-339-060(A) R1, dated September 6, 2000; and 
2000-339-060(A) R2, dated December 24, 2002.



[[Page 1521]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 23, 2003.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-268 Filed 1-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P