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

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58325-58326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23286]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-47-AD; Amendment 39-12880; AD 2002-18-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, 
and 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), applicable to Eurocopter France (ECF) Model AS332C, L, and L1 and 
Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters, that currently requires an 
inspection to determine the angular play of the tail rotor gearbox 
(gearbox) at specified intervals. This amendment changes the 
measurement limits and the load to be applied to a tail rotor blade 
(blade) when determining the angular play. This amendment is prompted 
by a review of design data and a determination that the amount of play 
can be increased with an increase in the amount of applied load during 
the inspection. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect 
excessive angular play and to prevent failure of a gearbox, loss of 
tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective October 21, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 21, 2002.

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: 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 by

[[Page 58326]]

superseding AD 98-06-04, Amendment 39-10633 (63 FR 34790, June 26, 
1998), which applies to ECF Model AS332C, L, and L1 and Model SA330F, 
G, and J helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on February 
14, 2002 (67 FR 6885). That action proposed to require an inspection of 
the angular play of certain gearboxes and to allow more play than the 
current AD allows before removing the gearbox is required. For the 
Model SA330 helicopter, the allowable play increased from 0.51mm to 
0.64mm. For the Model AS332 helicopter, the allowable play increased 
from 0.51mm to 0.74mm.
    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 3 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Creating measurement tools will cost 
approximately $100 per helicopter and it will cost $45,000 to replace a 
gearbox. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,120, assuming no gearbox will need 
to be replaced.
    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 39-10633 (63 FR 
34790, June 26, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-12880, to read as follows:

2002-18-06 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-12880. Docket No. 2001-
SW-47-AD. Supersedes AD 98-06-04, Amendment 39-10633, Docket No. 98-
SW-11-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS332C, L, and L1 and Model SA330F, G, and 
J helicopters, with tail rotor gearbox (gearbox), part number (P/N) 
332A33-0001-all dash numbers, 330A33-0000-all dash numbers, 330A33-
0011-all dash numbers (for AS332 models), or 330A33-9109-all dash 
numbers (for SA330 models), 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect excessive angular play in the gearbox and to prevent 
failure of a gearbox, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) for any gearbox with 
495 or more hours TIS, inspect each gearbox for play between the 
splines of the gearbox bevel gear and tail rotor driveshaft in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A. 
through 2.B.4. of Eurocopter France Alert Service Bulletin No. 
05.00.44 for the Model AS332 helicopters or No. 05.86 for the Model 
SA330 helicopters, both Revision 1 and both dated January 11, 2001.
    (1) Thereafter, reinspect the gearbox for play:
    (i) At intervals not to exceed 520 hours TIS, if the play 
measurement is 0.30 millimeter (mm) (0.0118 inch) or less for Model 
SA330 helicopters or 0.44mm (0.0173 inch) or less for Model AS332 
helicopters, or
    (ii) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, if the play 
measurement is greater than 0.30mm and less than 0.65mm (0.0255 
inch) for Model SA330 helicopters or greater than 0.44mm and less 
than 0.75mm (0.0295 inch) for the Model AS332 helicopters.
    (2) Before further flight, remove any gearbox if the play 
measurement is equal to or greater than 0.65mm for Model SA330 
helicopters or 0.75mm for Model AS332 helicopters.
    (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 will not be issued.
    (d) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Eurocopter 
France Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.44 for the Model AS332 
helicopters or No. 05.86 for the Model SA330 helicopters, both 
Revision 1 and both dated January 11, 2001. These incorporations by 
reference were 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 October 21, 2002.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) ADs 1997-322-067(A) R2 and 
1997-323-079(A) R2, both dated February 21, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 5, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-23286 Filed 9-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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