Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36059-36060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14193]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-45-AD; Amendment 39-11765; AD 2000-11-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N1, AS-
365N2, and SA-366G1 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 SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and 
SA-366G1 helicopters and that currently requires initial and repetitive 
inspections of the tail rotor blade Kevlar tie-bar (Kevlar tie-bar) for 
cracks or delaminations. This amendment requires the same actions 
required by the existing AD and corrects an incorrectly stated part 
number (P/N) in the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by a report 
of delamination of a Kevlar tie-bar. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to detect cracks that could lead to delamination of the 
Kevlar tie-bar, loss of tail rotor control, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective July 12, 2000. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations was approved previously 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 11, 1998 (63 FR 
25158, May 7, 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: Jim Grigg, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111; telephone (817) 222-5490, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-10-04, 
Amendment 39-10515 (63 FR 25158, May 7, 1998), which applies to 
Eurocopter France Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters, 
was published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2000 (65 FR 12489). 
That action proposed to require the same actions required by the 
existing AD and correct an incorrectly stated P/N in the existing AD.
    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.
    The FAA estimates that 47 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 
$3,000 per blade. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $152,280 to replace one blade 
and perform one inspection on each helicopter.
    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 39-10515 (63 FR 
25158), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), Amendment 39-
11765, to read as follows:

AD 2000-11-17 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11765. Docket No. 99-
SW-45-AD. Supersedes AD 98-10-04, Amendment 39-10515, Docket No. 97-
SW-49-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 
helicopters, with tail rotor blade (blade), Part Number 365A12-010-
all dash numbers, 365A12-0020-00, 365A33-2131-all dash numbers, or 
365A12-0020-02, 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 (c) 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 accomplished 
previously.
    To detect cracks that could lead to delamination of the tail 
rotor blade Kevlar tie-bar (Kevlar tie-bar), loss of tail rotor 
control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 250 hours TIS, inspect each Kevlar tie-bar 
for a crack or delamination in accordance with paragraph B, 
Operational Procedure, of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 
05.00.34, Revision 3, dated November 14, 1996.
    (b) If any delamination or cracking is found during any of the 
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD, remove the blade 
and replace it with an airworthy blade before further flight.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that

[[Page 36060]]

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.

    (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.
    (e) The inspection shall be done in accordance with paragraph B, 
Operational Procedure, of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 
05.00.34, Revision 3, dated November 14, 1996. The incorporation by 
reference of that document was approved previously by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51, as of June 11, 1998 (63 FR 25158, May 7, 1998). 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 12, 2000.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 92-185-33(B)R4, dated 
December 4, 1996.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 26, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14193 Filed 6-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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