98-23-04: Main Rotor Blade

98-23-04 EUROCOPTER FRANCE: Amendment 39-10868. Docket No. 97-SW-36-AD. Applicability: Model AS 332C, L, and L1 helicopters, with main rotor blades, part number (P/N) 332A11-030-03 or 332A11-030-04, installed, 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 prevent loss of the de-icing capabilities of the main rotor blades, adverse performance during flight in icing conditions, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) From available helicopter records, within the next 10 calendar days, determine the time-in-service (TIS) on each main rotor blade. (b) Replace each main rotor blade with a main rotor blade that has been modified and reidentified in accordance with Eurocopter Technical Instruction Number 230c, approved May 17, 1995, in accordance with the following schedule: (1) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 2,000 hours, replace within the next 50 hours TIS. (2) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 1,850 hours and less than 2,000 hours, replace on or before attaining 2,050 hours TIS. (3) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 1,500 hours and less than 1,850 hours, replace within the next 200 hours TIS. (4) If the TIS is equal to or greater than 1,400 hours and less than 1,500 hours, replace on or before attaining 1,700 hours TIS. (5) If the TIS is greater than 700 hours and less than 1,400 hours, replace within the next 300 hours TIS. (6) If the TIS is equal to or less than 700 hours, replace within the next 1,000 hours TIS. (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 Standards Staff. NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methodsof compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff. (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. (e) The main rotor blade replacements shall be done in accordance with Eurocopter Technical Instruction Number 230 c approved May 17, 1995. 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 American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (France) AD 95-029-054(B), dated February 1, 1995. (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 10, 1998.