Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330F, G, and J Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68071-68072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28722]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-14-AD; Amendment 39-11967; AD 2000-22-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330F, G, and 
J 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 SA330F, G, and J 
helicopters and requires inspecting the tail rotor blade (blade) skin 
for cracks and replacing, as necessary, the blade. This amendment 
requires skin bonding and eddy current inspections of the blade skin 
for cracks and would reference a more recent service bulletin (SB). 
This amendment is prompted by improved inspection methods and by the 
manufacturer revising the SB referenced in the current AD. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking of a 
blade, failure of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective December 19, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 19, 2000.

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 80-12-04, 
Amendment 39-3790 (45 FR 37180, June 2, 1980), which applies to 
Eurocopter France Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters, was published in 
the Federal Register on August 10, 2000 (65 FR 48936). That action 
proposed to require skin bonding and eddy current inspections of the 
blade skin for cracks and referenced a more recent SB.
    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 4 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1.5 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 $360.
    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 39-3790 (45 FR 
37180, June 2, 1980), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
Amendment 39-11967, to read as follows:

2000-22-19  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-11967. Docket No. 2000-
SW-14-AD. Supersedes AD 80-12-04, Amendment 39-3790, Docket No. 
20384.

    Applicability: Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters with a tail 
rotor blade (blade), part number (P/N) 330A12-0000-(all dash 
numbers), 330A12-0000-(all dash numbers), 330A12-0006-(all dash 
numbers), 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.


[[Page 68072]]


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue cracking of a blade, failure of a blade, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS for blades equipped with 
deicing systems or 30 hours TIS for blades without deicing systems, 
conduct skin bonding and eddy current inspections on each affected 
blade for skin bonding and a crack. Inspect in accordance with 
paragraph 1.C of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 05.71R4, dated 
December 18, 1990. Replace any blade failing the skin bonding 
inspection or eddy current inspection before further flight.
    (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 
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 inspection shall be done in accordance with paragraph 
1.C of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 05.71R4, dated December 18, 
1990. 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 19, 2000.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 2000.
Mark R. Schilling,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28722 Filed 11-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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