Airworthiness Directives; Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale and Eurocopter France Model SE 3160, SA 315B, SA 316B, SA 316C, and SA 319B Series Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-02-AD; Amdt. 39-8738; AD 93-23-04]

Airworthiness Directives; Societe Nationale Industrielle

Aerospatiale and Eurocopter France Model SE 3160, SA 315B, SA 316B, SA

316C, and SA 319B Series Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale and

Eurocopter France Model SE 3160, SA 315B, SA 316B, SA 316C, and SA 319B

series helicopters, that requires installation of a supplemental

outside air temperature (OAT) and velocity never exceed (VNE)

airspeed limitation flip chart placard for use in cold temperature

operations and use of a new flight manual supplement. This amendment is

prompted by several reports of excessive main rotor vibrations and

associated cyclic and collective control feedback forces occurring

under conditions of high altitude, high gross weight, cold

temperatures, and high flight speeds when the helicopter is equipped

with a certain design main rotor blade. The actions specified by this

AD are intended to prevent excessive main rotor vibrations that could

result in failure of rotor system components, and subsequent loss of

control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective February 17, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of February 17, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Les ``Blades'' de l'Helicoptere, Ltd., 5132 Greencrest

Road, La Canada Flintridge, California 91011. This information may be

examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, 4400 Blue Mound Road, Bldg. 3B, room 158, Fort

Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lirio Liu, Aerospace Engineer, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-

2425, telephone (310) 988-5229, fax (310) 988-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale and

Eurocopter France Model SE 3160, SA 315B, SA 316B, SA 316C, and SA 319B

series helicopters when equipped with certain main rotor blades was

published in the Federal Register on June 7, 1993 (58 FR 31922). That

action proposed to require (1) installation of a supplemental outside

air temperature (OAT) and velocity never exceed (VNE) flip chart

placard that applies to cold temperature operations and (2) use of a

new flight manual supplement.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the comments received.

The only commenter states that the problem could be alleviated and

it would be unnecessary to issue the AD if common sense were used and

if airspeed was promptly reduced when experiencing excessive

vibrations. The FAA concurs with the comment that slowing the

helicopter will alleviate the condition but maintains that an AD is

still necessary. The FAA believes that mandatory adherence to reduced

airspeeds is necessary to avoid excessive vibration and possible

fatigue damage to rotor system components. The AD requires pilots to

comply with a Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) supplement dated November

25, 1992, and a new OAT and VNE airspeed limitation flip chart

placard. This procedure is consistent with the ``cold temperature''

airspeed limitations approved during many rotorcraft certification

programs.

After careful review of the available data, including the comment

noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public

interest require the adoption of the rule with only editorial changes.

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 35 helicopters of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per

helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average

labor rate is $55 per workhour. Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,925.

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, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

AD 93-23-04 Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale and

Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-8738. Docket Number 93-SW-02-AD.

Applicability: Model SE 3160, SA 315B, SA 316B, SA 316C, and SA

319B series helicopters equipped with main rotor blades, part number

(P/N) LOM3160-100 installed in accordance with Supplemental Type

Certificate (STC) No. SH778GL, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required within 25 hours' time-in-service after the

effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent excessive main rotor vibrations that could result in

failure of rotor system components, and subsequent loss of control

of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Install an outside air temperature (OAT) and velocity never

exceed (VNE) airspeed limitation flip chart placard, P/N

LOM3160-151, on top of the instrument panel immediately to the right

of the existing VNE placard, using velcro strips as described

in Les ``Blades'' De L'Helicoptere, Ltd. Service Information Letter

No. 1-11-92A, dated December 3, 1992.

(b) After compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD, operate the

helicopter in accordance with the Helicopter Flight Manual

Supplement, approved and dated November 25, 1992, that is applicable

to helicopters modified in accordance with STC SH778GL.

(c) An alternate method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may

be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3229 East

Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425. Operators shall

submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the

Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification

Office.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR

21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished, provided the indicated

airspeed is limited to no more than 50 knots.

(e) The installation shall be done in accordance with Les

``Blades'' de l'Helicoptere, Ltd. Service Information Letter No. 1-

11-92A, dated December 3, 1992. 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 Les

``Blades'' de l'Helicoptere, Ltd., 5132 Greencrest Road, La Canada

Flintridge, California 91011. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,

Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 4400 Blue Mound Road, bldg.

3B, room 158, Fort Worth, Texas 76106; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective February 17, 1994.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 12, 1993.

Henry A. Armstrong,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-142 Filed 1-12-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P