Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, and D Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46443-46444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19575]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-02-AD; Amendment 39-13251; AD 2003-15-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B, B1, B2, 
B3, BA, and D 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) model helicopters that requires 
replacing the main gearbox (MGB) opening neoprene cowling seals (seals) 
with airworthy glass/silicone seals. This amendment is prompted by the 
discovery that neoprene seals currently installed on the MGB opening 
cowlings do not provide the fire protection required by the 
airworthiness standards. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent a fire in the engine compartment from reaching the MGB 
compartment that contains parts that are not fire resistant and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 10, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 10, 2003.

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: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified ECF model helicopters was published in 
the Federal Register on April 22, 2003 (68 FR 19759). That action 
proposed to require replacing the neoprene seals with glass/silicone 
seals.
    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on the specified ECF Model helicopters delivered 
before July 1, 2002. The DGAC advises that neoprene seals bonded to the 
MGB mobile cowlings have low fire resistance, which does not meet the 
certification criteria. In the event of an uncontrolled fire in the 
engine compartment, the fire could spread to the MGB compartment.
    ECF has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.31, dated July 11, 
2002 (ASB), which specifies replacing the MGB neoprene seals with 
glass/silicone seals that have increased fire-resistance. The DGAC 
classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD 2002-537-094(A), dated 
October 30, 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 this AD will affect 583 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per helicopter 
to install the seals, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $98. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $127,094.
    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

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:

[[Page 46444]]

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2003-15-08 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13251. Docket No. 2003-
SW-02-AD.
    Applicability: Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, and D 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 (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 within 200 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent a fire in the engine compartment from reaching the 
main gearbox (MGB) compartment that contains parts that are not fire 
resistant and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the MGB opening neoprene cowling seals with glass/
silicone seals in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 2.B., of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.31, 
dated July 11, 2002.
    (b) Replacing the MGB opening neoprene cowling seals with glass/
silicone seals is terminating action for the requirements of this 
AD.
    (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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Safety Management Group.

    (d) 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.
    (e) Replacing the MGB opening neoprene seals shall be done in 
accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.31, 
dated July 11, 2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 2003.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France), AD 2002-537-094(A), dated 
October 30, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 24, 2003.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19575 Filed 8-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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