Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 48 (Monday, March 13, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12616-12618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2358]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23159; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-10-AD; 
Amendment 39-14510; AD 2006-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-
365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that currently applies to Eurocopter

[[Page 12617]]

France (ECF) Model SA 365N, N1, and AS 365N2 helicopters. That AD 
currently requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) suspension 
diagonal cross-member (diagonal cross-member) for cracks and replacing 
it with an airworthy part if any crack is found. This amendment 
requires more frequent inspections of the diagonal cross-member and 
adding the Model SA-366G1 helicopters to the applicability. This 
amendment is prompted by several reports of cracks in the diagonal 
cross-member. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the diagonal cross-member, pivoting of the MGB, severe 
vibrations, and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Effective April 17, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, 
Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and 
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the 
Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
superseding AD 98-08-14, Amendment 39-10463 (63 FR 17676, April 10, 
1998), for the specified ECF model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on December 5, 2005 (70 FR 72409). The action proposed 
to require adding the Model SA-366G1 helicopter to the applicability 
because this model may contain an affected diagonal cross-member, part 
number (P/N) 365A38-3023-22, -23 or -24. Also, the action proposed more 
frequent inspections of the diagonal cross-member.
    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 AS-365N, N1, N2, and SA 366 G1 
helicopters. The DGAC advises of the discovery of a crack in a diagonal 
cross-member of the ECF Model SA 366 G1 helicopter.
    ECF has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 05.00.37, dated May 29, 
1997, for Model AS-365N, N1, and N2 helicopters. The SB specifies a 
periodic inspection for a crack or failure of a central branch of the 
MGB suspension strut pre-MOD 0763B80. ECF has also issued Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.25, dated June 19, 2002. The ASB specifies 
checking the center portion of the MGB suspension cross-bar for Model 
AS-366G1 helicopters, with a crossbar, P/N 365A38-3023-22, -23, or -24, 
installed. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued ADs 2003-241(A) and 1997-093-041(A) R2, both dated June 25, 
2003, 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 these type designs 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 adopting 
the rule as proposed except we have expanded the contact address in 
paragraph (b) in the body of the AD to provide more information to the 
public. This change will neither increase the economic burden on any 
operator nor increase the scope of this AD.
    We estimate that this AD will affect 133 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and will:
    <bullet> Take about 1 work hour to inspect the diagonal cross-
member,
    <bullet> Take about 10 work hours to replace the diagonal cross-
member, if necessary, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour, 
and
    <bullet> Cost about $6,600 to replace the part.

Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators to be $139,990, assuming 12 inspections per year per 
helicopter, and assuming 5 helicopters require replacing the diagonal 
cross-member.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 removing Amendment 39-10463 (63 FR

[[Page 12618]]

17676, April 10, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-14510, to read as follows:

2006-06-02 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-14510. Docket No. FAA-
2005-23159; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-10-AD. Supersedes AD 98-
08-14, Amendment 39-10463, Docket No. 97-SW-21-AD.
    Applicability: Model SA-365N, SA365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 
helicopters with a main gearbox (MGB) suspension diagonal cross-
member (diagonal cross-member), part number (P/N) 365A38-3023-20, -
21, -22, -23, or -24, installed, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the diagonal cross-member, pivoting of the 
MGB, severe vibrations, and subsequent forced landing, do the 
following:
    (a) For Model SA-365N and SA-365N1 helicopters, before 
accumulating 15,000 operating cycles; and for Model AS-365N2 and SA-
366G1 helicopters, before accumulating 11,000 operating cycles:
    (1) Inspect the diagonal cross-member for a crack in the area of 
the center borehole. Use a borescope with a 90-degree drive, a video 
assembly with optical fiber illumination, or any other appropriate 
device that allows you to visually inspect the center area of the 
part.
    (2) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a)(1) of this 
AD at intervals not to exceed 250 operating cycles or 50 hours time-
in-service, whichever occurs first.

    Note 1: ``Operating cycles'' are defined in the Airworthiness 
Limitations Section of the Master Servicing Recommendations.

    (b) If a crack is found as a result of the inspections required 
by this AD, before further flight, replace the diagonal cross-member 
with an airworthy diagonal cross-member.
    (c) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Gary Roach, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, for 
information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on April 17, 2006.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L-Aviation Civile (France) AD 1997-093-041(A) R2, dated 
June 25, 2003, and 2003-241(A), dated June 25, 2003.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 1, 2006.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06-2358 Filed 3-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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