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[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 246 (Friday, December 21, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65827-65828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31040]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-78-AD; Amendment 39-12560; AD 2001-25-07]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, 
and L2 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, and L2 
helicopters. That AD requires conducting a filter clogging warning 
test, and, if necessary, replacing a jammed valve with an airworthy 
valve. This amendment requires the same actions as the existing AD but 
references a revision to the previously referenced service information; 
adds fuel filter part numbers to the applicability; and clarifies other 
provisions throughout the AD. This amendment is prompted by jammed fuel 
filter by-pass valves. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent power loss due to fuel starvation, engine flameouts, and a 
subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Effective January 25, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 25, 2002.

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: Paul Madej, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5125, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
superseding AD 99-13-02, Amendment 39-11195 (64 FR 32399, June 17, 
1999), which applies to Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, and L2 
helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2000 
(65 FR 20104). That action proposed to require the same actions as AD 
99-13-02 but would have added another fuel filter part number to the 
applicability.
    After issuing that notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), Eurocopter 
France issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.56, dated January 16, 
2001 (ASB), which changed the compliance and operational procedures and 
added a part number to the affected fuel filters. The Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile, which is the airworthiness authority for 
France, classified that ASB as mandatory and issued AD Nos. 1998-318-
071(A)R6 and 1998-319-012(A)R6, both dated April 18, 2001, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in France. The FAA 
determined that the actions and all the fuel filter part numbers 
specified in the SB should be included in the proposal. Because the 
changes expanded the scope of the originally proposed rule, the FAA 
determined that it was necessary to reopen the comment period to 
provide additional opportunity for public comment and issued a 
supplemental NPRM on August 17, 2001 (66 FR 45651, August 29, 2001).
    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 except for a minor editorial change in 
Note 2 of the AD. The word ``bulletin'' is inserted to reference the 
applicable service information. This change neither increases the 
economic burden on any operator nor increases the scope of the AD.

[[Page 65828]]

    The FAA estimates that one helicopter of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $180, assuming no 
valve needs to be replaced.
    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 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.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-11195 (64 FR 
32399, June 17, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-12560, to read as follows:

2001-25-07  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12560. Docket No. 99-SW-
78-AD. Supersedes AD 99-13-02, Amendment 39-11195, Docket No. 99-SW-
17-AD.

    Applicability: Eurocopter France Model AS 332C, L, L1, and L2 
helicopters, with any of the following part-numbered fuel filters 
installed, certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Eurocopter
                    Vendor part no.                      France part no.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-4020P25..............................................    (704A44620031)
-4020P25-1............................................    (704A44620034)
-4020P25-2............................................    (704A44620035)
-4020P25-3............................................    (704A44620036)
-4020P25-4............................................    (704A44620044)
-4020P25-11...........................................    (704A44620037)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (d) 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.

    Note 2: This AD does not apply to aircraft modified per 
Eurocopter MOD 0726087 or in compliance with Eurocopter AS 332 
Service Bulletin No. 28.00.38, dated March 15, 2001.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent power loss due to fuel starvation, an engine 
flameout, and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), after any subsequent 
flight during which either fuel filter pre-clogging caution light 
illuminates, and after each installation of a new fuel filter 
assembly or filter element:
    (1) Verify that the fuel filter by-pass valve (valve) correctly 
closes for each engine fuel filter in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1. of Eurocopter France 
Alert Service Bulletin Number 01.00.56, Revision 1, dated March 15, 
2001 (ASB).
    (2) Conduct a filter pre-clogging warning test in accordance 
with paragraph 2.B.2. of the ASB.
    (3) If a blocked fuel filter element (open or closed) is 
detected during the pre-clogging warning test, clean the filter 
assembly in accordance with paragraph 2.B.4. of the ASB. After 
cleaning the filter assembly, repeat the requirements of paragraph 
(a)(2) of this AD.
    (4) When the pre-clogging warning test result is satisfactory, 
repeat the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
    (b) Within 25 hours TIS, insert a copy of this AD into the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), or make the following pen and ink 
addition to the RFM Emergency Procedure for fuel filter clogged 
caution light illumination: ``If both fuel filter clogged caution 
lights illuminate, land as soon as possible.''
    (c) If both filter clogged caution lights illuminate in flight, 
after landing, either:
    (1) Accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through 
(a)(4) of this AD before further flight, or,
    (2) Replace both fuel filter elements with airworthy fuel filter 
elements and conduct a one-time direct flight to a location where 
the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this AD can 
be accomplished before further flight.
    (d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Manager, Regulations Group.

    (e) Special flight permits will not be issued.
    (f) The inspections, tests, and cleaning shall be done in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.1., 
2.B.2., and 2.B.4., of Eurocopter France Alert Service Bulletin 
Number 01.00.56 Revision 1, dated March 15, 2001. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 25, 2002.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD's 1998-318-071(A)R6 and 
1998-319-012(A)R6, both dated April 18, 2001.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 11, 2001.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01-31040 Filed 12-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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