Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9936-9937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4979]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-09-AD; Amendment 39-10363; AD 98-05-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 helicopters, with 
certain main rotor head frequency adapters

[[Page 9937]]

(frequency adapters) installed. This proposal requires inspecting the 
frequency adapter to determine if a certain frequency adapter is 
installed, and if so, removing and discarding the frequency adapter and 
replacing it with an airworthy frequency adapter before further flight. 
This amendment is prompted by a report of disbonding of the metal 
center section of a frequency adapter from the elastomer, caused by a 
lack of adherence during the production process. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent vibrations caused by disbonding of 
the center section of a frequency adapter from the elastomer, that 
could result in loss of control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 3, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-366G1 
helicopters was published in the Federal Register on August 26, 1997 
(62 FR 45183). That action proposed to require inspecting the frequency 
adapter to determine if a certain frequency adapter is installed, and 
if so, removing and discarding the frequency adapter and replacing it 
with an airworthy frequency adapter before further flight.
    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 except that Note 4 is added to this 
rule to provide a reference to the French AD. The FAA has determined 
that this change will neither increase the economic burden on an 
operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 91 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 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 
$5,200 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $505,960.
    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.
    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, 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:

AD 98-05-01  Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-10363. Docket No. 97-
SW-09-AD.

    Applicability: Model SA-366G1 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 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) 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 the next 100 hours time-in-service 
or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
first, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent vibrations caused by disbonding of the center section 
of a frequency adapter from the elastomer, that could result in loss 
of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Determine the part number, serial number, and date of 
manufacture of the main rotor head frequency adapter (frequency 
adapter).
    (b) After making the determination in paragraph (a) and before 
further flight, if frequency adapter, part number (P/N) 704A33-640-
031 (E1T2624-01A), or delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-
01, manufactured before April 1, 1991, with serial number (S/N) 
equal to or less than 8188; or P/N 704A33-640-046 (E1T3023-01), or 
delivered in pairs under the P/N 365A31-1858-02, manufactured before 
April 1, 1991, with S/N equal to or less than 3122 is installed, 
remove the frequency adapter and replace it with an airworthy 
frequency adapter.

    Note 2: Eurocopter France SA-366 Service Bulletin No. 01.23, 
dated May 9, 1996, pertains to 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, FAA Rotorcraft Directorate, 
Rotorcraft Standards Staff. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Direction 
Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 96-116-019(B), dated June 
19, 1996.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 19, 1998.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4979 Filed 2-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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