AD 99-23-02

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AD Number:
99-23-02
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
98-SW-60-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2 Helicopters
Subject:
"CONNECTRAL" Green Electrical Module
Status:
Current
Citation:
Federal Register: November 03, 1999 (Volume 64, Number ??)
Citation Publish Date:
11/03/1999
Effective Date:
12/08/1999
Make:
Airbus Helicopters
Model:
AS-365N2 | SA-365N | SA-365N1
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Rotorcraft
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39 [64 FR 59614 11/03/99]
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 99-23-02
CITATION:   [Federal Register: November 03, 1999 (Volume 64, Number ??)]

PAGE NUMBER:   [Page 59614]

DOCKET NUMBER:   98-SW-60-AD

AMENDMENT:   39-11398

AD NUMBER:   99-23-02

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2 Helicopters

ACTION:   Final rule

SUMMARY:   This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA 365N1, and AS-365N2 helicopters, that requires replacing certain defective electrical modules with airworthy electrical modules. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of several defective electrical modules. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of electrical continuity, which could cause loss of critical rotorcraft electrical systems and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES:   Effective December 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   Robert McCallister, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5121, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on August 4, 1999 (64 FR 42295). That action proposed to require replacing certain defective electrical modules with airworthy electrical modules.

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 for two nonsubstantive changes that have been made to paragraph (b) and Note 3 of the AD. In paragraph (b), the NPRM incorrectly states that alternative methods of compliance (AMOC) or adjustments of the compliance time may be approved by the "Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate." This is incorrect and has been changed to state that the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, is responsible for approving any AMOC or adjustment of the compliance time. Note 3 of the NPRM states that information concerning the existence of approved AMOC may be obtained from the "Rotorcraft Standards Staff;" this is also incorrect and has been changed to state that information may be obtained from the "Regulations Group." The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

The FAA estimates that 41 helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 300 work hours per helicopter to replace all affected modules, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $29,520, but the helicopter manufacturer has stated that the parts will be provided at no cost. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $738,000 to replace all affected modules.

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 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
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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows:

REGULATORY TEXT:  
99-23-02 EUROCOPTER FRANCE: Amendment 39-11398. Docket No. 98-SW-60-AD.
Applicability: Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and AS-365N2 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 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 (b) 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.

Compliance: Required within 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within the next 3 calendar months, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent loss of electrical continuity, which could cause loss of critical rotorcraft electrical systems and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Remove and replace each "CONNECTRAL" green electrical module that does not have a white dot on the face and that has a manufacturing code of 95/16 through 96/21 with an airworthy electrical module.

NOTE 2: Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 01.00.47R1, dated December 18, 1998, pertains to the subject of this AD.

(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, 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.

(c) 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 No. 1998-253-044(A)R1, dated February 10, 1999.

(d) This amendment becomes effective on December 8, 1999.

FOOTER:   Issued on October 26, 1999 Becomes effective upon receipt.