Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-366G1, AS355F, F1, F2, N, and EC130 B4 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42241-42242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17947]



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Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 137 / Thursday, July 17, 2003 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 42241]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-49-AD; Amendment 39-13238; AD 2003-14-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, N1, 
AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, SA-366G1, AS355F, F1, F2, N, and EC130 B4 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) model helicopters that 
requires removing certain main servocontrols and replacing them with 
servocontrols that do not fall within the ``Applicability'' of this AD 
at specified intervals. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of 
an incorrect tightening torque load found on servocontrols that were 
overhauled by Hawker Pacific Aerospace. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to prevent thread failure, separation of the upper end 
fitting that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end-
fitting, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective August 21, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 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 Eurocopter Model SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, 
SA-366G1, AS355 F, F1, F2, N, and EC130 B4 helicopters with certain 
servocontrols installed was published in the Federal Register on 
February 14, 2003 (68 FR 7451). That action proposed to require 
removing the servocontrol and replacing it with a servocontrol that 
does not fall within the ``Applicability'' of the AD at specified 
intervals.
    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 AS 365 N, EC 130, AS 355, and 
SA 366 helicopters. The DGAC advises of a report of incorrect 
tightening torque load found in service on servocontrols that were 
overhauled by Hawker Pacific Aerospace.
    Eurocopter has issued the following alert telexes, all dated April 
29, 2002, which specify removing the servocontrols and returning them 
to the Hawker Pacific Aerospace:
    [sbull] Alert Telex No. 67.00.08 for Model AS-365N, N1, N2, and N3 
helicopters;
    [sbull] Alert Telex No. 67.03 for Model AS-366G1 helicopters;
    [sbull] Alert Telex No. 67.00.23 for Model AS355F, F1, F2, and N 
helicopters;
    [sbull] Alert Telex No. 67A001 for Model EC130 B4 helicopters.

The DGAC classified these alert telexes as mandatory and issued AD 
No's. 2002-312-056(A), 2002-313-027(A), 2002-315-069(A), and 2002-316-
004(A), all dated June 12, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these helicopters in France.
    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.
    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. The 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. However, 
for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we have retained the 
language of the NPRM regarding that material.
    The FAA estimates that 252 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. Required parts will cost approximately 
$6,853, but the manufacturer has stated in the service information that 
it will rework the servocontrols at no cost to the owner/operator. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,847,916, assuming no costs are covered 
by the manufacturer's warranty.
    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; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

[[Page 42242]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2003-14-19 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13238. Docket No. 2002-
SW-49-AD.
    Applicability: Model SA-365N, N1, AS-365N2, N3, SA-366 G1, 
AS355F, F1, F2, N and EC130 B4 helicopters, with TRW-SAMM main 
servocontrols, part number SC8031, SC8031A, SC8031-1, SC8031-2, 
SC8032-1, SC8032-2, SC8033-1, SC8033-2, SC8034-1, SC8034-2, SC8042 
or SC8043, overhauled or repaired at Hawker Pacific Aerospace before 
March 1, 2002, 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 prevent thread failure, separation of the upper end-fitting 
that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end-
fitting, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace each servocontrol with a servocontrol that does not 
fall within the ``Applicability'' of this AD in accordance with the 
following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  For servocontrols that have been in
              service for:                  Replace the servocontrols:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Less than 1,000 hours time-in-       Within the next 550 hours TIS
 service (TIS).                           or 12 months, whichever occurs
                                          first.
(2) 1,000 or more hours TIS; less than   Before the servocontrols reach
 1,300.                                   1,550 hours TIS or within 9
                                          months, whichever occurs
                                          first.
(3) 1,300 or more hours TIS;...........  Within the next 250 hours TIS
                                          or 6 months, whichever occurs
                                          first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 67.00.08 for Model AS 365 N, 
N1, N2, and N3 helicopters; Alert Telex No. 67.03 for Model AS 366 
G1 helicopters; Alert Telex No. 67.00.23 for Model AS 355 F, F1, F2, 
and N helicopters; and Alert Telex No. 67A001 for Model EC 130 B4 
helicopters, all dated April 29, 2002, pertain to the subject of 
this AD.

    (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, Safety Management 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, Safety Management Group.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Safety Management 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 21, 2003.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction De 
L'Aviation Civile (France) AD No's. 2002-312-056(A), 2002-313-
027(A), 2002-315-069(A), and 2002-316-004(A), all dated June 12, 
2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 8, 2003.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17947 Filed 7-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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