Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 12, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40145-40147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14567]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-63-AD; Amendment 39-12775; AD 2002-12-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332L2 helicopters. This action 
requires removing the main rotor shaft non-rotating scissors (non-
rotating scissors) from the swashplate balljoint and inspecting for 
friction or play in the hinges between the two links of the non-
rotating scissors, or between the non-rotating scissors link and the 
flared housing, and replacing the non-rotating scissors, if necessary. 
This amendment is prompted by the discovery of in-service damage to 
main rotor shaft non-rotating scissors attachment hinges. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent friction on non-rotating 
scissors, failure of the swashplate, loss of main rotor pitch control, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective June 27, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 27, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 12, 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-63-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].
    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.

[[Page 40146]]


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: The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter Model AS332L2 helicopters. 
The DGAC advises that some cases of in-service damage to the main rotor 
shaft non-rotating scissors attachment hinge have been discovered.
    Eurocopter has issued Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.56, dated February 1, 2001, which specifies a check of the non-
rotating scissors hinges on the main rotor shaft for evidence of 
seizure on the interface of the various tungsten-carbide bushings of 
the hinges that may lead to the seizure of a hinge. The DGAC classified 
this service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 2001-085-018(A), dated 
March 7, 2001, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
helicopters in France.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is 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 this type design that may be certificated 
for operation in the United States at a future date.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design if registered in the United States. 
Therefore, this AD is being issued to prevent friction on the non-
rotating scissors, failure of the swashplate, loss of main rotor pitch 
control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD 
requires removing the non-rotating scissors from the swashplate 
balljoint and inspecting for friction or play in the hinges between the 
two links of the non-rotating scissors, or between the non-rotating 
scissors link and the flared housing, and replacing the non-rotating 
scissors if friction or play is detected. The actions must be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    None of the Eurocopter Model AS332L2 helicopters affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in the 
applicability of this rule are currently operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject helicopters are imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future.
    Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 6 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$360 per helicopter.
    Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is 
currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and 
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and 
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A 
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the 
substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-SW-63-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that notice and prior public comment are 
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation; therefore, it can be 
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since 
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States. 
The FAA has also determined that this regulation is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined 
further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If 
it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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:

2002-12-03  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12775. Docket No. 2001-
SW-63-AD.


[[Page 40147]]


    Applicability: Model AS332L2 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 (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 accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent friction on the main rotor shaft non-rotating 
scissors (non-rotating scissors), failure of the swashplate, loss of 
main rotor pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) For non-rotating scissors with less than 275 hours time-in-
service (TIS), before reaching 275 hours TIS and then at intervals 
not to exceed 275 hours TIS, remove the non-rotating scissors from 
the swashplate balljoint and inspect for any friction or play in 
accordance with paragraph 2.B.1 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.56, dated February 1, 
2001 (ASB).
    (b) For non-rotating scissors with 275 or more hours TIS, within 
50 hours TIS and then at intervals not to exceed 275 hours TIS, 
remove the non-rotating scissors from the swashplate balljoint and 
inspect for friction or play in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in the ASB.
    (c) If friction or play is present, replace the non-rotating 
scissors with airworthy parts.
    (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. 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 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The inspections and replacement (if replacement is 
necessary) shall be done in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 05.00.56, dated February 1, 2001. 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 12, 2002.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 28, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-14567 Filed 6-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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