[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34104-34106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15794]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-SW-48-AD; Amendment 39-12281; AD 2001-13-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model
205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412EP, and 412CF Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), for
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412,
412EP, and 412CF helicopters. This AD requires removing each existing
tail rotor counterweight bellcrank (bellcrank) retention nut (retention
nut), replacing each retention nut with a zero hours time-in-service
(TIS) retention nut; and follow-up inspections of installed retention
nuts. This AD is prompted by an in-flight loss of a bellcrank due to
failure of the retention nut. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent failure of the retention nut, which could result in
the bellcrank migrating off the crosshead spindle, loss of tail rotor
control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective August 1, 2001.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 1, 2001.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained
[[Page 34105]]
from Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas
76101, telephone (817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466. This information
may be examined 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety
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 AD for BHTI Model
205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters was published in
the Federal Register on March 8, 2001 (66 FR 13858). That action
proposed to require the following:
Removing the two existing retention nuts within 100 hours
TIS or 90 days, whichever occurs first;
Installing a retention nut, part number MS14145L6 or
MS17826-6, which is limited to a one-time installation;
Inspecting the corrosion preventive compound (CPC) coating
of the retention nut for deficiencies;
Inspecting the retention nut for corrosion, mechanical
damage, a crack, or looseness; and
Replacing each retention nut, when necessary.
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 423 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 2.5 work hours per
helicopter to replace each retention nut and 0.5 work hour to inspect
each retention nut once. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts will cost approximately $7 per helicopter. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $155,241 to replace the retention nuts and inspect them
once.
The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
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:
2001-13-01 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-12281.
Docket No. 2000-SW-48-AD.
Applicability: Model 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412EP, and 412CF
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
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 (f) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the tail rotor counterweight bellcrank
(bellcrank) retention nut, which could result in the bellcrank
migrating off the crosshead spindle, loss of tail rotor control, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) For Model 205A-1 helicopters:
(1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 90 days after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two
existing retention nuts retaining the bellcranks, part number (P/N)
212-010-709-001 or 212-011-705-001, and install zero hours TIS
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 205-00-
77, Revision A, September 13, 2000 (205A-1 ASB). A used nut may not
be installed.
(2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and
corrosion preventive compound (CPC) coating in accordance with
paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 205A-1 ASB.
Reapply the CPC coating if deficiencies are found in the coverage
and protection of the area. Replace any retention nut with any
corrosion, mechanical damage, a crack, or looseness with an
airworthy new retention nut before further flight.
(b) For Model 205B helicopters:
(1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-011-705-001, and install
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB 205B-00-31, Revision A, dated
September 13, 2000 (205B ASB). A used nut may not be installed.
(2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing
paragraph (b)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment
Instructions in the 205B ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if
deficiencies are found in the coverage and protection of the area.
Replace any retention nut with any corrosion, mechanical damage, a
crack, or looseness with an airworthy new retention nut before
further flight.
(c) For Model 212 helicopters:
(1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-010-709-001 or 212-011-705-
001, and install retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in
accordance with paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment
Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin
212-00-107, Revision A, dated September 13, 2000 (212 ASB). A used
retention nut may not be installed.
(2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment
Instructions in the 212
[[Page 34106]]
ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if deficiencies are found in the
coverage and protection of the area. Replace any retention nut with
any corrosion, mechanical damage, a crack, or looseness with an
airworthy new nut before further flight.
(d) For Model 412 or 412EP helicopters:
(1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-011-705-001, and install
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB 412-00-102, Revision A, dated
September 13, 2000 (412 ASB). A used nut may not be installed.
(2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing
paragraph (d)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment
Instructions in the 412 ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if deficiencies
are found in the coverage and protection of the area. Replace any
retention nut with any corrosion, mechanical damage, a crack, or
looseness with an airworthy new retention nut before further flight.
(e) For Model 412CF helicopters:
(1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-011-705-001, and install
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB 412CF-00-10, Revision A, September
13, 2000 (412CF ASB). A used nut may not be installed.
(2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment
Instructions in the 412CF ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if
deficiencies are found in the coverage and protection of the area.
Replace any retention nut with any corrosion, mechanical damage, a
crack, or looseness with an airworthy new nut before further flight.
(f) 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 an 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.
(g) 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.
(h) The modifications and inspections shall be done in
accordance with paragraphs (1) through (6) of the Accomplishment
Instructions in the following Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert
Service Bulletins: No. 205-00-77, Revision A, dated September 13,
2000; No. 205B-00-31, Revision A, dated September 13, 2000; No. 212-
00-107, Revision A, dated September 13, 2000; No. 412-00-102,
Revision A, dated September 13, 2000; or No. 412CF-00-10, Revision
A, September 13, 2000, as applicable. 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, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort
Worth, Texas 76101, telephone (817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466.
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.
(i) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 2001.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 13, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-15794 Filed 6-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U