[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59696-59697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29376]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-43-AD; Amendment 39-10867; AD 98-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA 330F, G, and
J Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA 330F, G, and J helicopters,
that requires removing and replacing each tail rotor electrical bonding
braid (bonding braid). This amendment is prompted by an in-service
report of the failure of a bonding braid. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to prevent failure of a bonding braid due to fatigue,
resulting impact with the tail rotor blades, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective December 10, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 10, 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 of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Robert McCallister, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort
Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5121, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA 330F,
G, and J helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on May 7,
1998 (63 FR 25180). That action proposed to require removal and
replacement of each tail rotor electrical bonding braid.
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 required the
adoption of the rule as proposed, except for non-substantive editorial
changes. Additionally, the part number as published in the
Applicability section of the NPRM contained an extra ``0''. This has
been corrected in this final rule. The FAA has determined that these
changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor
increase the scope of the AD.
The FAA estimates that 2 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$250 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $740.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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
[[Page 59697]]
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 adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
AD 98-23-03 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-10867. Docket No. 97-
SW-43-AD.
Applicability: Model SA 330F, G, and J helicopters, with tail
rotor electrical bonding braids (bonding braids), part number (P/N)
332A031.1276.00, installed, certificated in any category, that have
not been modified in accordance with AMS 332A07-66-003 or AMS 33207-
66-072.
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 (b) 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 60 calendar days, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent failure of a bonding braid due to fatigue, resulting
impact with the tail rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Remove the bonding braids, P/N 332A31.1276.00, and replace
them with airworthy bonding braids, P/N 332A31.1276.01, in
accordance with paragraphs B and C of the Operating Procedure of
Eurocopter France Service Bulletin SA 330 No. 65.73 R3, dated June
22, 1995.
(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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,
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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(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 helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Eurocopter
France Service Bulletin SA 330 No. 65.73 R3, dated June 22, 1995.
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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on December 10, 1998.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction
Generale L' Aviation Civile (France) AD 95-153-072(B), dated July
19, 1995.
Issued in Forth Worth, Texas, on October 27, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-29376 Filed 11-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M