[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3756]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-8562; AD 93-08-14]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 
222, 222B, and 222U Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 222, 222B, and 
222U helicopters. This action requires repetitive inspections for 
cracks and, if necessary, replacement of the main rotor flapping 
bearings. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in certain 
flapping bearings in the main rotor system. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the main rotor flapping 
bearing, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: Effective April 6, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 6, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received by May 
6, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 93-SW-01-AD, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Major, Aerospace Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5117, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 222, 
222B, and 222U helicopters. Transport Canada advises that main rotor 
flapping bearings, part numbers (P/N) 222-310-114-107 and 222-310-114-
109, may fail while in service due to cracks in the inside radius of 
the main rotor flapping bearing (bearing) where the attachment bolts 
secure the bearing to the yoke.
    In 1987 the FAA issued AD 87-15-07, Amendment 39-5643 (52 FR 27191, 
July 20, 1987) that in part required modification and reidentification 
of certain bearings, P/N 222-310-114-003 and -105, as P/N 222-310-114-
107. Only bearings with radii above a certain size were eligible for 
modification and reidentification. Those -003 and -105 bearings with an 
undersize radius were not reidentified and may be in service. For this 
reason, the -003 and -105 bearings are included in this AD action.
    BHTI has issued Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222U-92-33 and 222-92-
60, both dated December 16, 1992 (ASB's), that specify visual 
inspections of the bearings, P/N 222-310-114-003, -105, -107, and -109. 
Transport Canada classified these ASB's as mandatory for bearings, P/N 
222-310-114-107 and -109, and issued Transport Canada AD No. CF-92-24, 
effective December 28, 1992, to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these helicopters in Canada.
    This helicopter model is now manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable 
bilateral airworthiness agreement. Earlier BHTI Model 222 series 
helicopters were also manufactured in the U.S. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of Transport Canada, 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 helicopters of the same type design 
registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent 
failure of the main rotor flapping bearings, loss of a main rotor 
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD 
requires an initial and repetitive inspections of the four affected 
bearings for cracks. It also requires immediate removal of any cracked 
bearings. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the ASB's described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 93-SW-01-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:


AD 93-08-14  Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI): Amendment 39-
8562. Docket Number 93-SW-01-AD.

    Applicability: Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters, equipped 
with main rotor flapping bearings (bearings), part number (P/N) 222-
310-114-003, -105, -107 and -109, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the bearings, loss of a main rotor blade, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 10 hours' time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
10 hours' time-in-service from the last inspection, visually inspect 
the bearings for cracks in accordance with paragraph 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable BHTI Alert Service 
Bulletin Nos. 222U-92-33 or 222-92-60, both dated December 16, 1992.
    (b) If a crack is found in the bearings, replace the affected 
bearings with an airworthy part before further flight.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may 
be used when 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The inspection and any necessary replacement shall be done 
in accordance with the applicable BHTI Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 
222U-92-33 or 222-92-60, both dated December 16, 1992. 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. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, 
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 April 6, 1994.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4, 1994.
James D. Erickson,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3756 Filed 3-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P