[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30662-30663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14928]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-64-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS-365N, N1, 
and N2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS-365N, 
N1, and N2 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 replacing the frequency adapter with 
an airworthy frequency adapter before further flight. This proposal is 
prompted by a report of disbonding of the metal center section of a 
frequency adapter from the elastomer on a main rotor head, caused by a 
lack of adherence during the production process. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent increased vibrations caused 
by disbonding of the center section of a frequency adapter from the 
elastomer and subsequent reduced controllability of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-64-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-64-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. 97-SW-64-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 AS-365N, N1, and 
N2 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 a 
serial number (S/N) equal to or less than 8188; or P/N 704A33-640-046 
(E1T3023-01), or delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-02, 
manufactured before April 1, 1991, with a 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 AS-365 Service 
Bulletin, No. 01.00.44, 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 and to remove and replace certain frequency 
adapters with an unaffected frequency adapter. The DGAC classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 96-117-040(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

[[Page 30663]]

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-365N, N1, and N2 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States, 
the proposed AD would require removing any frequency adapter affected 
by this AD 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 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-64-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS-365N, N1, and N2 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 calendar months, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent vibrations caused by disbonding of the center section 
of a frequency adapter from the elastomer on the main rotor head and 
subsequent reduced controllability 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) 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 a serial number (S/N) equal 
to or less than 8188; or P/N 704A33-640-046 (E1T3023-01), or 
delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-02, manufactured before 
April 1, 1991, with a 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 AS-365 Service Bulletin No. 01.00.44, 
dated May 9, 1996, pertains to the subject of 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction General 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 96-117-040(B), dated June 19, 1996.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 1998.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Office.
[FR Doc. 98-14928 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U