Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B3 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17879-17880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9012]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-05-AD; Amendment 39-13116; AD 2003-08-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS350B3 
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 (Eurocopter) model helicopters that 
requires inspecting the ASU No. 2 printed circuit board (PCB) to 
determine if the resistor R8 is installed, and if it is not installed, 
replacing the PCB with an airworthy PCB with that resistor installed. 
This amendment is prompted by the discovery of a PCB without a critical 
resistor that polarizes the voltage regulator that regulates electrical 
power to a critical warning light, a critical caution light, and the 
main rotor revolutions per minute (RPM) signal to the vehicle engine 
management display (VEMD). The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent the malfunction of the two critical lights and the 
rotor RPM signal to the VEMD, failure of these components to timely 
alert the pilot to the associated malfunctions, further helicopter 
damage because of these malfunctions, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: Effective May 19, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5120, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for Eurocopter Model AS350B3 helicopters was published in 
the Federal Register on January 21, 2003 (68 FR 2714). That action 
proposed to require, within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting 
the ASU No. 2 PCB on helicopters with serial numbers 3062 and earlier 
to determine if the resistor R8 is installed, and if it is not 
installed, replacing the PCB with an airworthy PCB with resistor R8 
installed within 50 hours TIS.
    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 AS350B3 helicopters. The DGAC 
advises that the absence of a resistor R8 on the ASU No. 2 boards can 
lead to a malfunction of the electric circuits supplying the ``BATT. 
TEMP.'' red warning light, the ``ENGINE CHIP'' amber caution light, and 
the rotor RPM signal output to the VEMD.
    Eurocopter has issued Service Bulletin No. 77.00.07, dated March 
27, 2000, which specifies checking to determine if the resistor R8 is 
installed on the PCB within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and, if a 
resistor R8 is not installed, replacing the PCB with one that has a 
resistor R8 installed within 50 hours TIS. The DGAC classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD No. 2001-319-083(A), dated 
July 25, 2001, 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 30 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost $1,200. The 
manufacturer states in its service bulletin that PCB's will be replaced 
free of charge. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,800, if a PCB is replaced in 
the entire fleet and there is no free replacement by the manufacturer.
    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 FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2003-08-05 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-13116. Docket No. 2002-
SW-05-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS350B3 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 
3062 and earlier, 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.


[[Page 17880]]


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent malfunction of the electrical circuits controlling 
the ``BATT. TEMP.'' red warning light, the ``ENGINE CHIP'' amber 
caution and the rotor revolutions-per-minute (RPM) signal output to 
the vehicle engine management display (VEMD), accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the ASU No. 2 
printed circuit board (PCB), part number SE 03022, to determine if 
resistor R8 is installed.
    (b) If the resistor R8 is not installed, within 50 hours TIS, 
replace the PCB with an airworthy PCB that has a resistor R8 
installed.

    Note 2: Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 77.00.07, dated March 
27, 2000, pertains to the subject 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, 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 3: 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 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) This amendment becomes effective on May 19, 2003.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 2001-319-083(A), dated 
July 25, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 8, 2003.
Michele M. Owsley,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9012 Filed 4-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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