Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 99 / Monday, May 22, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 32015

either the Manager, International Branch,

ANM–116, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate; or the Civil Aviation

Administration of Israel (CAAI) (or its

delegated agent). For a repair method to be

approved by the Manager, International

Branch, ANM–116, as required by this

paragraph, the Manager’s approval letter

must specifically reference this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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,

International Branch, ANM–116. Operators

shall submit their requests through an

appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, International Branch,

ANM–116.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

Special Flight Permits

(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 airplane to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The inspection shall be done in

accordance with 1124 Westwind (Israel

Aircraft Industries) Alert Service Bulletin No.

1124–27A–145, dated March 24, 2000. This

incorporation by reference was approved by

the Director of the Federal Register in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR

part 51. Copies may be obtained from Galaxy

Aerospace Corporation, One Galaxy Way,

Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Fort Worth,

Texas 76177. Copies may be inspected at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at

the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,

DC.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Israeli airworthiness directive 57–00–02–

06, dated February 24, 2000.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

June 6, 2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 8,

2000.

Vi L. Lipski,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–11951 Filed 5–19–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–SW–36–AD; Amendment

39–11733; AD 2000–10–09]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter

France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3,

D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N

Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) for

Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA,

B1, B2, B3, D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2,

and N helicopters that requires

replacing certain circuit breakers. This

amendment is prompted by the

discovery of the loss of electrical

continuity between the terminals of an

installed circuit breaker. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent loss of electrical power to the

emergency flotation gear or other

optional installations and subsequent

loss of the helicopter emergency

flotation capability.

DATES: Effective June 26, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of June 26,

2000.

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,

Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas

76137, telephone (817) 222–5120, fax

(817) 222–5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A

proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to

include an AD for Eurocopter France

Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, and

AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters

was published in the Federal Register

on February 23, 2000 (65 FR 8894). That

action proposed to require inspecting

Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers for

proper operation; replacing any Crouzet

single-pole circuit breaker that is not

operating properly with an airworthy

circuit breaker; and replacing all

Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers with

airworthy circuit breakers on or before

July 1, 2000.

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 150

helicopters of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take

approximately 0.25 work hour per

helicopter to replace the circuit

breakers, and that the average labor rate

is $60 per work hour. Required parts

will cost approximately $23 per

helicopter. Based on these figures, the

total cost impact of the AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $5,700,

assuming the replacement of 150 circuit

breakers.

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

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

32016 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 99 / Monday, May 22, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding a new airworthiness directive to

read as follows:

AD 2000–10–09 Eurocopter France:

Amendment 39–11733. Docket No. 99–

SW–36–AD.

Applicability: Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2,

B3, D, and AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N

helicopters, with Crouzet single-pole circuit

breaker, part numbers (P/N) 84 400 028, and

P/N 84 400 031 through P/N 84 400 036,

installed as part of any optional installations,

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 (c) 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 to the

emergency flotation gear or other optional

installations and subsequent loss of the

helicopter emergency flotation capability,

accomplish the following:

(a) On or before 200 hours time-in-service

or within the next 3 calendar months,

whichever occurs first:

(1) For Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and

D helicopters, inspect and if inoperable,

replace the Crouzet single-pole circuit

breakers installed in the flotation gear unit

assembly and other optional installations for

electrical continuity in accordance with

section 2.B. of the Accomplishment

Instructions contained in Eurocopter France

Service Bulletin (SB) No. 01.00.47, dated

November 10, 1998, except disregard the

compliance times stated in paragraph 2.B.2)

of the SB.

(2) For Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N

helicopters, inspect and if inoperable, replace

the Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers

installed in the flotation gear unit assembly

and other optional installations for electrical

continuity in accordance with section 2.B. of

the Accomplishment Instructions contained

in SB No. 01.00.44, dated November 10,

1998, except disregard the compliance times

stated in paragraph 2.B.2) of the SB.

(b) On or before July 1, 2000, replace all

Crouzet single-pole circuit breakers in

accordance with section 2.B. of the

Accomplishment Instructions of the

applicable SB.

(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, Regulations

Group, 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, Regulations Group.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Regulations Group.

(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.

(e) The inspection and modification shall

be done in accordance with section 2.B. of

the Accomplishment Instructions contained

in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No.

01.00.44 or No. 01.00.47, both dated

November 10, 1998. This incorporation by

reference was approved by the Director of the

Federal Register 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on

June 26, 2000.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Direction Generale De L’Aviation Civile

(France) AD 98–510–055(A) for the Model AS

355 helicopters and AD 98–511–074(A) for

the Model AS 350 helicopters. Both DGAC

AD’s are dated December 16, 1998.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 9,

2000.

Henry A. Armstrong,

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–12352 Filed 5–19–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–SW–39–AD; Amendment

39–11734; AD 2000–10–10]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter

France Model AS–350B, BA, B1, B2,

and D, and Model AS–355E, F, F1, F2,

and N Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes

an existing airworthiness directive (AD)

that applies to Eurocopter France Model

AS–350B, BA, B1, B2, and D, and Model

AS–355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters

and requires inspecting the main

gearbox suspension bi-directional crossbeam (cross-beam) for cracks, and

replacing the cross-beam if a crack is

found. This amendment requires the

same inspections as the existing AD, but

adds the time intervals for performing

repetitive dye-penetrant inspections on

cross-beams with 5,000 or more hours

time-in-service (TIS). This amendment

is prompted by the discovery that time

intervals for performing the required

dye-penetrant inspections are not

included in the existing AD. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent failure of the cross-beam that

could lead to rotation of the main

gearbox, resulting in severe vibrations

and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Effective June 26, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations was previously approved by

the Director of the Federal Register as of

August 3, 1998 (63 FR 35128, June 29,

1998).

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