Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L and AS332L1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45629-45630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17245]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-46-AD; Amendment 39-12801; AD 2002-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L and 
AS332L1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters that requires adding 
a supplement to the Limitations section of the applicable Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual (RFM) for helicopters with ``SEFA'' skis installed. This 
amendment is prompted by the need to limit the taxi and Vne speed of 
those helicopters with skis. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent structural failure of a ski and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective August 14, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for ECF Model AS332L and AS332L1 helicopters was 
published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2002 (67 FR 5526). 
That action proposed to require adding the limitations contained in 
SUP.10.14, Ski Installation, to the Limitations section of the RFM, 
requiring certain speed limitations for helicopters with skis 
installed.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on ECF Model AS332L and AS332L1 helicopters 
equipped with ``SEFA'' skis. ECF issued Supplement, SUP.10.14, Ski 
Installation, Normal Revision 2, Issue 2, dated June 2001 to the 
applicable RFM. The DGAC classified these RFM supplements as mandatory 
and issued AD No. 2001-316-079(A), dated July 25, 2001. The DGAC 
advises incorporating the Ski Installation Supplement into the 
applicable RFM before the next flight and complying with the Vne and 
the maximum taxiing speed limitations to ensure 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 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 are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    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 3 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 minutes per 
helicopter to add the flight manual supplement, 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 $30.
    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

[[Page 45630]]

``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 at the Federal Aviation Administration (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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2002-14-01  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12801. Docket No. 2001-
SW-46-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS332L and AS332L1 helicopters, with 
``SEFA'' skis 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.

    Compliance: Required before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent structural failure of a ski and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before the next flight with skis installed, add the 
limitations contained in SUP.10.14, Ski Installation, Normal 
Revision 2, Issue 2, dated June 2001 to the Limitations section of 
the applicable Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
    (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 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on August 14, 2002.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction General 
De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2001-316-079(A), dated July 25, 
2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 27, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17245 Filed 7-9-02; 8:45 am]
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