Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9403-9405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4409]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-29-AD; Amendment 39-10359; AD 98-04-48]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2 helicopters. This 
action requires modifying the main rotor blade vibration absorber 
(vibration absorber) by replacing the weight support assemblies with 
reinforced weight support assemblies. This amendment is prompted by a 
report of the failure of a weight support assembly in-flight. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of a 
vibration absorber weight support assembly, which could lead to adverse 
vibrations, contact between the fuselage and a main rotor blade or loss 
of a main rotor blade; and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective March 12, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 12, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-29-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    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: Mr. Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Eurocopter 
France Model AS 332L2 helicopters with vibration absorbers, part number 
(P/N) 332A11-0460-01, installed. The DGAC advises that failure of a 
vibration absorber can result in adverse vibrations, contact between 
the fuselage and a main rotor blade or loss of a main rotor blade; and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    Eurocopter France has issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin No.

[[Page 9404]]

62.00.43, dated February 13, 1997, which specifies converting the 
vibration absorbers, P/N 332A11-0460-01, to vibration absorbers, P/N 
332A11-0460-02, by replacing the weight support assemblies, P/N 332A11-
0470-00, with reinforced weight support assemblies, P/N 332A11-0474-00. 
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 97-026-005(B) R2, dated March 12, 1997, applicable to 
Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2 helicopters with vibration absorbers, 
P/N 332A11-0460-01, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these helicopters in France.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness 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 this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2 helicopters 
of the same type design registered in the United States, this AD is 
being issued to prevent failure of a vibration absorber weight support 
assembly, which could lead to adverse vibrations, contact between the 
fuselage and a main rotor blade or loss of a main rotor blade; and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires 
modifying the main rotor blade vibration absorber by replacing the 
weight support assemblies with reinforced weight support assemblies. 
The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously.
    None of the Eurocopter France Model AS 332L2 helicopters affected 
by this action are on the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in 
the applicability of this rule are currently operated by non-U.S. 
operators under foreign registry; therefore; they are not directly 
affected by this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule 
is necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the 
event that any of these subject helicopters are imported and placed on 
the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 8 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost $11,300 per helicopter. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $11,780 per 
helicopter.
    Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is 
currently on the U.S. Register, it has no adverse economic impact and 
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and 
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-SW-29-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that notice and prior public comment are 
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation and therefore, it can be 
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since 
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States, 
and that it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves 
an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this 
emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

98-04-48  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-10359. Docket No. 97-SW-
29-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS 332L2 helicopters with main rotor blade 
vibration absorbers (vibration absorbers), part number (P/N) 332A11-
0460-01, 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 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For

[[Page 9405]]

helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that 
the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the 
owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (b) to 
request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no 
action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of a vibration absorber weight support 
assembly, which could lead to adverse vibrations, contact between 
the fuselage and a main rotor blade or loss of a main rotor blade; 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Convert the vibration absorbers, P/N 332A11-0460-01 into P/N 
332A11-0460-02 by replacing the weight support assemblies, P/N 
332A11-0470-00, with weight support assemblies, P/N 332A11-0474-00, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter 
France Service Bulletin No. 62.00.43, dated February 13, 1997.
    (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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 
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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (c) Special flight permits will not be issued.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter France Service Bulletin 
No. 62.00.43, dated February 13, 1997. This incorporation by 
reference was 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 March 12, 1998.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction De 
L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 97-026-005(B) R2, dated March 12, 
1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 13, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4409 Filed 2-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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