Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 102 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33743-33745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12351]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-04-AD; Amendment 39-11729; AD 2000-10-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, 
SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, 
SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J helicopters. This AD 
requires inspecting each inflation head and union nut on certain 
emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinders and replacing each cracked 
inflation head with an airworthy inflation head. This amendment is 
prompted by the discovery of cracked inflation heads during routine 
maintenance inspections of emergency flotation systems. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent an emergency flotation 
gear nitrogen cylinder from exploding with resultant high velocity 
shrapnel, which could cause airframe damage or personal injury and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective June 29, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 29, 2000.

[[Page 33744]]


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 76137; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McCallister, Aviation Safety 
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 AD that applies to 
Eurocopter France Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, 
SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on December 10, 1999 (64 FR 69206). That action 
proposed to require inspecting each inflation head and union nut on 
certain emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinders and replacing each 
cracked inflation head with an airworthy inflation head.
    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 minor editorial changes.
    The FAA estimates that 114 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 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 
$2,138 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $271,092.
    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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

AD 2000-10-05  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11729. Docket No. 99-
SW-04-AD.

    Applicability: Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, 
SA330G, SA330J, SA341G, and SA342J helicopters with emergency 
flotation gear nitrogen cylinder, P/N ARZ 74921, with inflation 
head, part number (P/N) 74929, that has no serial number (S/N), or 
with a S/N lower than 12000, or has a union nut, P/N 75441 or 75834, 
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 (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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously 
accomplished.
    To prevent an emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder from 
exploding with resultant high velocity shrapnel, which could cause 
airframe damage or personal injury and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) For Model SE.3160, SA.316B, SA.316C, SA.319B, SA330F, 
SA330G, or SA330J helicopters,
    (1) At the next scheduled emergency flotation gear maintenance 
inspection or 400 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever occurs 
first, accomplish the following:
    (i) Discharge each emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder 
(cylinder) in accordance with the ``Discharge Procedure for the 
74921G Cylinder'' in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.66, 
Revision 3, dated May 4, 1998 or Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 
05.58, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1998.
    (ii) Remove the inflation head and degrease the assembly.
    (iii) Perform a dye penetrant inspection of each inflation head 
and union nut on each emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder.
    (2) Thereafter, conduct a dye penetrant inspection of each 
inflation head and union nut on each cylinder at each scheduled 
emergency flotation gear maintenance inspection or at intervals of 
not more than 400 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.
    (b) For Model SA341G or SA342J helicopters,
    (1) At the next scheduled emergency flotation gear maintenance 
inspection or 520 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs first, 
accomplish the following:
    (i) Discharge each emergency flotation gear nitrogen cylinder in 
accordance with the ``Discharge Procedure for the 74921G Cylinder'' 
in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.19, Revision 3, dated May 
4, 1998.
    (ii) Remove the inflation head and degrease the assembly.
    (iii) Perform a dye penetrant inspection of each inflation head 
and union nut on each cylinder.
    (2) Thereafter, conduct a dye penetrant inspection of each 
inflation head and union nut on each cylinder at each scheduled 
emergency flotation gear maintenance inspection or at intervals of 
not more than 520 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.
    (c) Before further flight, replace each cracked inflation head, 
P/N 74929, with an airworthy inflation head having S/N 12000 or 
higher.
    (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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (e) 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.

[[Page 33745]]

    (f) The discharge of each cylinder shall be done in accordance 
with the ``Discharge Procedure for the 74921G Cylinder'' in 
Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.66, Revision 3, dated May 4, 
1998; Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.58, Revision 3, dated 
May 4, 1998; or Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 05.19, Revision 
3, dated May 4, 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 29, 2000.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile AD's 80-062-041(A) R2, 80-063-030(A) 
R2, and 80-061-028(A) R2, all dated July 15, 1998.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 5, 2000.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12351 Filed 5-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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