Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 355 N Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 1, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37358-37359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14717]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0041; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-16-AD; 
Amendment 39-15599; AD 2008-14-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 355 N 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Eurocopter France Model AS 355 N helicopters. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an 
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA), the technical agent for France, with which we have a bilateral 
agreement, states in the MCAI: ``This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is 
issued because it was found that the power drawn by the starter 
generators from the engines is above the consumption capacity at 
altitudes above 3,000 meters, declared for the engines of AS 355 N 
helicopters. Excessive power consumption of the starter generators 
reduces the engine surge margin, which can result in engine failure.''
    After engine start, the starter generator functions as the normal 
operational electrical generator. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions that are intended to address this unsafe condition.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You can 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 AD Docket: The AD docket contains the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the economic evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address and operating hours 
for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5227) are in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after they are received.

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:

Discussion

    We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that 
would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on January 23, 2008 (73 FR 3891). That NPRM proposed 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states: ``This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued because it was 
found that the power drawn by the starter generators from the engines 
is above the consumption capacity at altitudes above 3,000 meters, 
declared for the engines of AS 355 N helicopters. Excessive power 
consumption of the starter generators reduces the engine surge margin, 
which can result in engine failure.''

Comments

    By publishing the NPRM, we gave the public an opportunity to 
participate in developing this AD. However, we received no comment on 
the NPRM or

[[Page 37359]]

on our determination of the cost to the public. Therefore, based on our 
review and evaluation of the available data, we have determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed 
except for some formatting changes. These changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Relevant Service Information

    Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin, Revision 1, No. 
01.00.52, dated September 14, 2006. The actions described in the MCAI 
are intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in 
the service information.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    There are no substantive differences between this AD and the MCAI 
AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 17 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 15 minutes to 
install the placard in each helicopter. The average labor rate is $80 
per work-hour. The manufacturer states in its service bulletin that the 
``labels will be delivered free of charge on the Operator's order.'' 
Because the manufacturer has indicated it will provide the placard free 
of charge, we have assumed there will be no charge for these placards. 
However, because we do not control warranty coverage for affected 
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to 
be $340 or $20 per helicopter.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this AD:
    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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-14-04 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-15599. Docket No. FAA-
2008-0041; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-16-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This amendment becomes effective on August 5, 2008.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model AS 355 N helicopters, certificated 
in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states: ``This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued because it was 
found that the power drawn by the starter generators from the 
engines is above the consumption capacity at altitudes above 3,000 
meters, declared for the engines of AS 355 N helicopters. Excessive 
power consumption of the starter generators reduces the engine surge 
margin, which can result in engine failure.''
    The starter-generator is a single unit that is operated both as 
an engine starter generator and after starting, as an operational 
generator. The EASA AD and the Eurocopter service bulletin refer to 
this unit as a starter generator. The starter generator requires 
energy from the engine to generate electricity. When the electrical 
current exceeds 100 amps, the load on the engine reduces the engine 
surge margin and may cause the engine to surge and flame out.
    Therefore, at altitudes above 10,000 feet, the maximum 
continuous current supplied by each starter generator must be 
limited to 100 amps to prevent engine surging.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within 100 hours time-in-service or within 12 months, 
whichever occurs first, unless already done, do the following 
actions:
    (1) Install a limitation placard (indicating the new load 
limitation for the starter generator) on the overhead instrument 
panel, immediately below the ammeter.
    (2) The placard must state the following: Maximum continuous 
load per generator 100A If Hp>10000 ft.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) None.

Other Information

    (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Send information to ATTN: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-
5961.

Related Information

    (h) MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive No. 2006-0338, dated 
November 7, 2006, and Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin, Revision 1, 
No. 01.00.52, dated September 14, 2006, contain related information.

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code

    (i) ATA Code 2435--Electrical Power Starter Generator, 80--
Starting.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 18, 2008.
Judy I. Carl,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-14717 Filed 6-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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