[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39314-39315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14250]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-SW-66-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330F, SA330G,
SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive
(AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters. This
proposal would require inspecting each tail rotor blade de-icing
rotating collector (collector) for radial play and rotation torque at
specified intervals. If the play or torque exceeds the specified
standard, this proposal would require replacing the collector with an
airworthy part. This proposal is prompted by excessive play measured on
the collector of an ECF Model AS332 helicopter. The actions specified
by this proposed AD are intended to prevent wear of a collector
bearing, loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 6, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-66-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically
to the Rules Docket at the following address: [email protected].
Comments may be inspected at the Office of the Regional Counsel between
9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5490, 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 will
be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals
contained in this document 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 mailed
comments submitted in response to this proposal must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made:
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-SW-66-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. 2001-SW-66-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on ECF Model SA330 helicopters. The
[[Page 39315]]
DGAC advises of excessive play measured on the collector.
ECF has issued AS 332 Service Bulletin Nos. 05.00.45, Revision 1,
dated August 16, 1999, and SA 330 Alert Service Bulletin 05.88, dated
June 8, 2001. The service bulletins specify checking the condition of
the bearings and the collector-to-rotor attachment shaft at regular
intervals, measuring the radial play, measuring the rotation torque of
the collector, and state the acceptable radial and rotational
tolerances. The DGAC classified the service bulletins as mandatory and
issued AD No. 2001-317-082(A), dated July 25, 2001, 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 agreement. Pursuant to the
applicable bilateral 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.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopter models of these same type designs registered in the United
States. Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting the radial
play and the rotational torque on the collector initially at 100 hours
time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months, whichever occurs first, and
repetitively at 110 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first. If
the radial play or the rotational torque exceeds 0.1 millimeter or 3.5
daN, respectively, the proposed AD would also require replacing the
collector with an airworthy part. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described
previously.
The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per helicopter to inspect and replace the collector, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $300. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1260 to replace
the collectors on the entire fleet.
The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
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. 2001-SW-66-AD.
Applicability: Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, and
AS332L1 helicopters with a tail rotor blade de-icing rotating
collector (collector), part number (P/N) APCL 110-265-201,
installed, 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 (b) 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: Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months,
whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously, and then at
intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs
first.
To prevent wear of a collector bearing, loss of tail rotor
effectiveness, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter,
accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the radial play and the rotation torque of the
collector in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraph 2.B., of Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin No.
05.00.45, Revision 1, dated August 16, 1999, for the Model AS 332
helicopters, or Eurocopter France SA 330 Alert Service Bulletin No.
05.88, dated June 8, 2001, for the Model SA 330 helicopters. If the
radial play exceeds 0.1 millimeter (0.004 inches) or the rotational
torque exceeds 3.5 daN (7.9 lbs), before further flight, replace the
collector with an airworthy part.
(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, 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.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction General
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No. 2001-317-082(A), dated July 25,
2001.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 28, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14250 Filed 6-6-02; 8:45 am]
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