Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Formerly Aerospatiale, Society Nationale Industrielle, Sud Aviation) Model SA- 365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Formerly

Aerospatiale, Society Nationale Industrielle, Sud Aviation) Model SA-

365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to Eurocopter France (formerly

Aerospatiale, Society Nationale Industrielle, Sud Aviation) Model SA-

365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. This proposal would

require an inspection of the transmission deck for cracks; repair of

any cracked transmission decks; and replacement of the transmission

deck support beams (support beams) with redesigned support beams. This

proposal is prompted by several reports of cracks in the transmission

deck and support beams. The actions specified by the proposed AD are

intended to detect cracks that reduce the strength of the main gearbox

strut attachment and could result in failure of the main gearbox

mounting, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location

between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal

holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Mathias, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, ASW-111, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,

Texas

[[Page 63913]]

76137, telephone (817) 222-5123, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed 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 above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

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 SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-

365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. The DGAC advises that cracks were

discovered in one of the two support beams under the transmission deck

and in the transmission deck itself.

Eurocopter France has issued Telex Service No. 10011, dated

February 24, 1995, which specifies checks for cracks in the

transmission deck and transmission deck support beams, to be

accomplished within 50 hours following receipt of the Telex Service.

The Telex Service applies to affected aircraft that have 4,000 or more

flying hours. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory

and issued AD 95-067-038(B), and AD 95-068-017(B), both dated April 12,

1995, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these

helicopters in France.

Subsequently, Eurocopter France issued Eurocopter Service Bulletin

05.00.36 on November 14, 1995. Eurocopter Service Bulletin 05.00.36

recommends replacement of the current transmission support beams, part

numbers (P/N) 365A21-3365-49 and 365A21-3365-CY with redesigned support

beams P/N 365A21-3365-JE-01 and 365A21-3365-JF-01, at major maintenance

intervals specified by the service bulletin.

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 SA-365N, SA-365N1,

AS-365N2, and SA-366G1 helicopters of the same type design registered

in the United States, the proposed AD would require inspections of the

transmission deck, repair of any cracks that are found, and replacement

of the support beams, P/N 365A21-3365-49 and 365A21-3365-CY, with

redesigned support beams, P/N 365A21-3365-JE-01 and 365A21-3365-JF-01.

For Model AS-365N2 helicopters, the inspections must be accomplished

before or upon the accumulation of 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS),

or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever

occurs later. For Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters,

the inspections must be accomplished upon the accumulation of 4,000

hours TIS, or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD,

whichever occurs later. The support beams must be replaced with

reinforced beams whether or not cracks are found in the transmission

deck or the currently installed support beams. If cracks are found in

the transmission deck; the repairs must be accomplished.

After any cracks that are found in the transmission deck have been

repaired and after replacing the support beams, clean, prime, and paint

the affected areas of the transmission deck and the replacement support

beams in accordance with the referenced service information.

The FAA estimates that 137 helicopters of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 50 work

hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost

approximately $5,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total

cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$1,096,000.

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed

regulation (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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

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:

[[Page 63914]]

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:

Eurocopter France (Formerly Aerospatiale, Society Nationale

Industrielle, Sud Aviation): Docket No. 96-SW-22-AD.

Applicability: Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and 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 as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To detect cracks that reduce the strength of the main gearbox

strut attachment and could result in failure of the main gearbox

mounting, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter,

accomplish the following:

(a) For Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, and SA-366G1 helicopters, on or

before attaining 4,000 hours time-in-service (TIS), or within 50

hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs

later; and for Model SA-365N2 helicopters, on or before attaining

2,000 hour TIS, or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of

this AD, whichever occurs later; perform the following:

(1) Inspect the transmission deck for cracks using a dye-

penetrant inspection method, in accordance with paragraph BB of

Eurocopter France Telex Service No. 10011, dated February 24, 1995.

If a crack is found in the transmission deck, repair prior to

further flight.

Note 2: A FAA-approved repair solution can be initiated by

contacting the American Eurocopter Technical Support Department,

ATTN: Manager, telephone: 972-641-3460, fax: 972-641-3527.

(2) Replace the currently installed transmission deck support

beams, part numbers (P/N) 365A21-3365-49 and 365A21-3365-CY, with

reinforced transmission deck support beams, P/N 365A21-3365-JE-01

and 365A21-3365-JF-01, in accordance with the Accomplishment

Instructions in Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No. 05.00.36,

Rev. 1, dated December 16, 1996.

(b) After completion of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD,

clean, prime and paint the affected areas of the transmission deck

and the reinforced support beams in accordance with paragraph BB 2A

of Eurocopter France Telex Service No. 10011, dated February 24,

1995.

(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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA,

Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests

through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or

comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification

Office.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

(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 95-068-017(B) and AD 95-

067-038(B), both dated April 12, 1995.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 24, 1997.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97-31614 Filed 12-2-97; 8:45 am]

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