Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330F, G, J, and AS332C, L, and L1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 120 (Friday, June 21, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42183-42185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15550]



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Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 120 / Friday, June 21, 2002 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 42183]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-34-AD; Amendment 39-12786; AD 2002-12-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330F, G, J, 
and AS332C, L, and L1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters that 
currently requires inserting statements into the Limitations section of 
the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) prohibiting flight under certain 
atmospheric conditions. This amendment contains the same requirements 
but corrects, expands, and updates the applicability. This amendment is 
prompted by an incident in which a Multi-Purpose Air Intake (MPAI) 
inlet seal deflated after the P2 air system line, which feeds the seal, 
clogged due to the formation of ice. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent clogging of the MPAI seal P2 air system line 
due to ice formation, which could result in deflation of the MPAI seal, 
loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective July 8, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 20, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-SW-34-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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Madej, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5125, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 29, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-
23-07, Amendment 39-11403, (64 FR 60336, November 5, 1999), to require 
inserting statements into the Limitations section of the RFM 
prohibiting flight under certain atmospheric conditions. That action 
was prompted by an incident in which an MPAI inlet seal deflated after 
the P2 air system line, which feeds the seal, clogged due to the 
formation of ice.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has determined that there 
are two errors in the applicability section. First, MOD 0723672 should 
not apply to the ECF Model SA330F or G helicopters. Second, there is an 
error in the MOD number for the ECF Model SA332C, L, and L1 
helicopters; currently, it is stated as MOD 0725855 but it should be 
stated as MOD 0725885. Additionally, we have determined that, for the 
ECF Model SA332C, L, and L1 helicopters, the AD should refer to the 
revised Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) No. 30.00.44, Revision 1, 
dated July 12, 1999, and provide the added option for MOD 0725974 and 
MOD 0725998 in accordance with SB No. 30.00.46, dated July 12, 1999. 
For the ECF Model SA330J helicopters, the manufacturer also has issued 
SB No. 30.16, Revision 1, dated February 3, 2000, and added the option 
for MOD 0725920 in accordance with SB No. 30.17, dated February 3, 
2000, to update that service information.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, has notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on ECF Model SA330F, G, J, and AS332C, L, and L1 
helicopters. The DGAC has advised that there was an incident in which 
an MPAI seal deflated due to ice formation in the P2 air system line. 
Deflation of an MPAI seal creates an unsafe condition. The DGAC has 
adopted the manufacturer's service information and issued DGAC AD 1998-
201-068(A)R2, dated September 22, 1999, and DGAC AD 1998-202-080(A)R2, 
dated April 5, 2000, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these helicopters in France.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to this 
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.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other ECF 
model helicopters of the same type designs. Therefore, this AD 
supersedes AD 99-23-07 to correct and update the applicability. This AD 
requires, before further flight, inserting statements into the 
Limitations section of the RFM which prohibit flight in certain 
atmospheric conditions, and prohibit flight in specific conditions 
unless operation of the MPAI seal has been visually checked.
    None of the helicopters affected by this action are registered in 
the U.S. All helicopters included in the applicability of this rule are 
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 1 work hour to 
insert the statements into the RFM, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$60 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

[[Page 42184]]

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, both before and after the closing date for comments, 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. 2002-SW-34-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that notice and prior public comment are 
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation, and therefore it can be 
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition since none of these 
model helicopters are registered in the U.S. It 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, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 39-11403 (64 F4 
60336, November 5, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

2002-12-14  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12786. Docket No. 2002-
SW-34-AD. Supersedes AD 99-23-07, Amendment 39-11403, Docket No. 99-
SW-01-AD.

    Applicability:
    <bullet> Model SA330F and G helicopters with a Multi-Purpose Air 
Intake (MPAI) installed;
    <bullet> Model SA330J helicopters with an MPAI installed and not 
modified by either MOD 0723672 in accordance with Eurocopter Service 
Bulletin No. 30.16, Revision 1, dated February 3, 2000, or MOD 
0725920 in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 30.17, 
dated February 3, 2000; and
    <bullet> Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters with an MPAI 
installed and not modified by either MOD 0725885 in accordance with 
Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 30.00.44, Revision 1, dated July 12, 
1999, or MOD 0725974 and MOD 0725998 in accordance with Eurocopter 
Service Bulletin No. 30.00.46, dated July 12, 1999, 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 before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent clogging of the MPAI seal P2 air system line due to 
ice formation, which could result in deflation of the MPAI seal, 
loss of engine power, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Insert the following statement prohibiting flight in certain 
atmospheric conditions into the Limitations section of the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM):
    ``A. Flight under the following conditions is prohibited:
    1. Flight in clouds or fog at an OAT equal to or lower than 3 
degrees Celsius (37.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
    2. Flight in rain at an OAT within the temperature range of -3 
degrees to +3 degrees Celsius (26.6 degrees to 37.4 degrees 
Fahrenheit).
    B. Flight under the following conditions is prohibited unless 
the Multi-Purpose Air Intake seals have been visually checked for 
proper inflation before flight in the specified atmospheric 
conditions:
    1. Flight in falling or recirculating snow at an OAT equal to or 
above -3 degrees Celsius (26.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
    2. Takeoff after extended ground taxiing or holding in falling 
snow at an OAT equal to or above -3 degrees Celsius (26.6 degrees 
Fahrenheit).''
    (b) This AD revises the Limitations section in the RFM by 
prohibiting flight in certain atmospheric conditions and prohibiting 
flight in other specified atmospheric conditions unless operation of 
the MPAI seal has been visually checked before flight in the 
specific atmospheric conditions.
    (c) 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, FAA, 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.

    (d) Special flight permits will not be issued.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 8, 2002.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 1998-201-068(A)R2, dated 
September 22, 1999, and AD 1998-202-080(A)R2, dated April 5, 2000.



[[Page 42185]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 10, 2002.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-15550 Filed 6-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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