[Federal Register: January 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 15)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3891-3893]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ja08-15]
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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]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 355 N
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS 355 N helicopters. This
proposed 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.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
this unsafe condition.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 22,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
, or in person at the Docket Operations Office
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the economic
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
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:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0041;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-16-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued an
MCAI in the form of EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0338, dated
November 7, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct
an unsafe condition for these French-certificated 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.
The starter-generator is a single unit that operates as both 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 when used as a 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
[[Page 3892]]
supplied by each starter generator must be limited to 100 amps to
prevent engine surging.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and
service information in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.52, Revision
1, 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.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all
pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in the ``Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI''
section in the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 17 helicopters
of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 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
proposed 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2008-0041; Directorate Identifier
2007-SW-16-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February 22, 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 the FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) None.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 2435--
Electrical Power Starter Generator, 80--Starting.
[[Page 3893]]
Other Information
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) 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.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(i) 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.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 27, 2007.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1027 Filed 1-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P