[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57971-57972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27790]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-SW-07-AD; Amendment 39-11391; AD 99-22-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)
Model 407 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to BHTC Model 407 helicopters, that requires visually
inspecting the vertical fin (fin) for reduced skin thickness; repairing
or replacing the fin, if necessary; and identifying fins that have been
inspected or repaired. This amendment is prompted by a report of an
inboard skin damaged during production. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to detect fin assemblies with reduced skin thickness
which, if not corrected, reduce the strength of the skin and could lead
to failure of the fin and loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective December 2, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 2, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir,
Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kohner, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5447, fax (817) 222-5783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to BHTC Model 407 helicopters was
published in the Federal Register on August 2, 1999 (64 FR 41841). That
action proposed to require visually inspecting the fin for reduced skin
thickness; repairing or replacing the fin, if necessary; and
identifying fins that have been inspected or repaired.
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.
The FAA estimates that 124 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3.0 work hours to
accomplish the visual inspection; 4.0 work hours to accomplish the
vertical fin replacement, and 0.5 work hour to mark the fin, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $18,770. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,220 per helicopter, or
a total of $2,383,280 for the entire fleet, to accomplish all the
actions including replacing the fin.
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 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
AD 99-22-13 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11391.
Docket No. 99-SW-07-AD.
Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, with vertical fin (fin)
assembly, part number (P/N) 206-020-113-223A, -223B, or -223S, with
a serial number with a prefix of ``BP'', up to and including 2266
(except BP2260, BP2262, and BP2265), 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
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 (c) 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 100 hours time-in-service, unless
accomplished previously.
To detect fin assemblies with reduced skin thickness which, if
not corrected, reduce the strength of the skin and could lead to
failure of the vertical fin (fin) and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Visually inspect the fin assembly for reduced skin
thickness, indicated by notches, scratches, or grooves on the skin,
in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions
contained in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-
98-17, Revision A, dated June 26, 1998 (ASB). If notches, scratches,
or grooves are found, repair or replace the fin assembly in
accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions contained
in the ASB.
[[Page 57972]]
(b) Identify any fin that has been inspected or repaired in
accordance with Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions in the
ASB.
(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 Certification Office,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests
through a FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification
Office.
Note 2: 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.
(e) The visual inspection, repair or replacement of the fin, if
necessary, and the identification of fins that have been repaired or
replaced shall be done in accordance with Parts I, II, or III, as
applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter
Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-98-17, Revision A, dated June
26, 1998. 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 Bell Helicopter
Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO,
telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 2, 1999.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
(Canada) AD No. CF-98-10R1, dated August 20, 1998.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 18, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27790 Filed 10-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U