Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13413-13414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-17-AD; Amendment 39-12133; AD 2001-04-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, 
AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, 
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale (currently 
Eurocopter France) Model AS350 and AS355 series helicopters that 
currently requires inspecting the fuselage frame (frame) for a crack at 
the fuselage-to-tailboom interface and replacing or repairing, as 
necessary. That AD also requires a fastener torque check and 
retorquing, as necessary. This amendment retains the requirements of 
the existing AD but would increase the inspection interval from 1,200 
hours time-in-service (TIS) to 2,500 hours or 6 years TIS, whichever 
occurs first. This amendment revises the time interval for inspecting 
the frame at the fuselage-to-tailboom interface to coincide with the 
inspection interval specified in the maintenance manual. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to eliminate confusion and 
unnecessary costs and to prevent a cracked frame, tailboom failure, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 10, 2001.

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 85-14-06, 
Amendment 39-5089 (50 FR 28561, July 15, 1985) and AD 85-14-06 R1, 
Amendment 39-5121 (50 FR 37173, September 12, 1985), which apply to 
Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale (currently Eurocopter 
France) Model AS350 and AS355 series helicopters, was published in the 
Federal Register on December 8, 2000 (65 FR 76953). That action 
proposed the same actions as the existing AD's and also proposed 
increasing the inspection interval from 1,200 hours TIS to 2,500 hours 
or 6 years TIS, whichever occurs first, to coincide with the 
maintenance manual and eliminate confusion and unnecessary costs. To 
compensate for the increase in the inspection interval, reducing the 
initial inspection interval from 100 hours TIS to 30 hours TIS and 
changing the visual inspection to a dye-penetrant inspection were also 
proposed.
    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 475 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 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 this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $228,000, 
assuming no cracked frames are discovered.
    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 FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 39-5089 (50 FR 
28561, July 15, 1985) and Amendment 39-5121 (50 FR 37173, September 12, 
1985), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), Amendment 39-
12133, to read as follows:

2001-04-14  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12133. Docket No. 2000-
SW-17-AD. Supersedes AD 85-14-06, Amendment 39-5089, and AD 85-14-06 
R1, Amendment 39-5121, Docket No. 85-ASW-15.

    Applicability: Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, 
AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F,

[[Page 13414]]

AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters, 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 (e) 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 eliminate confusion and unnecessary costs and to prevent a 
cracked fuselage frame (frame), tailboom failure, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the fuselage-to-tailboom attachment bolts in 
accordance with paragraph (d) for this AD within 30 hours time-in-
service (TIS).
    (b) Inspect the fuselage-to-tailboom attachment bolts in 
accordance with paragraph (d) for this AD within 30 hours TIS of 
replacing or reinstalling a tailboom.
    (c) Repeat the inspection in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD at intervals not to exceed 2500 hours or 6 years TIS, 
whichever occurs first.
    (d) Inspect the fuselage-to-tailboom attachment bolts for proper 
torque range and the frame, part number 350A21-1247-00, for a crack 
at the fuselage-to-tailboom interface.
    (1) Procedure for inspecting proper torque range:
    (i) Using a fine-point felt tip pen, mark the position of the 
nut relative to the assembly.
    (ii) One at a time, slightly loosen each nut. Do not allow the 
corresponding bolt to rotate relative to the assembly.
    (iii) Tighten the nut with a properly calibrated torque wrench 
until the mark on the nut lines up with the mark on the assembly.
    (iv) Record the torque value required to line up the two marks.
    (2) Interpretation of the recorded torque values for each nut:
    (i) If the torque value is less than 0.3 mdaN (26 in-lbs) on any 
nut:
    (A) Remove the tailboom.
    (B) Perform a dye-penetrant inspection for a crack in the 
bending radius of the frame.
    (C) If a crack is found, repair or replace the frame with an 
airworthy frame before further flight.
    (ii) If the torque value is between 0.3 mdaN and 1 mdaN (26 to 
88 in-lbs), re-torque to 0.75 mdaN to 0.9 mdaN (67 to 79 in-lbs).
    (iii) If the torque value is equal to or greater than 1 mdaN (88 
in-lbs), remove the nut and bolt and replace them with a new nut and 
bolt. Torque the nut to 0.75 mdaN to 0.9 mdaN (67-79 in-lbs).

    Note 2: Aerospatiale Service Bulletins AS 355 No. 05.14 and AS 
350 No. 05.16 pertain to the subject of this AD.

    (e) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (f) 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 10, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 20, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5167 Filed 3-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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