[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 174 (Friday, September 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21965]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-17-AD; Amendment 39-9022; AD 94-18-09]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 
205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, and 412 Series Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 
212, and 412 series helicopters, that requires removal and replacement 
of a certain design main transmission lower planetary spider (spider), 
and establishes a 2,500 hours time-in-service retirement life for the 
spider. This amendment is prompted by five failures of the spider that 
occurred during the manufacturer's fatigue tests. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the spider, 
failure of the main transmission, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective October 14, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation 
Administration, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Uday Garadi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5157, fax (817) 222-5959.

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 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. 
Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, and 412 series helicopters was published 
in the Federal Register on January 5, 1994 (59 FR 555). That action 
proposed to require removal and replacement of a certain design main 
transmission lower planetary spider (spider), and proposed to establish 
a 2,500 hours time-in-service retirement life for the spider.
    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. However, 
the FAA has added a sentence to paragraph (c) of this AD to make it 
clear that the retirement life established is 2,500 hours time-in-
service; but, since this AD establishes a new retirement life, those 
spiders with 2,400 or more hours TIS on the effective date of this AD 
need not be retired until on or before the accumulation of an 
additional 100 hours TIS. Additionally, the FAA aerospace engineer to 
contact regarding this rule has changed since the issuance of the 
notice and the AD has been changed accordingly. The FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule as proposed, with the noted changes. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 40 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 26 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$8,929 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $414,360.
    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. 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 a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

    AD 94-18-09 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-9022. 
Docket No. 93-SW-17-AD.

    Applicability: Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, and 412 series 
helicopters, with main transmission lower planetary spider (spider) 
part number (P/N) 412-040-785-101, installed, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue failure of the spider, that could result in 
failure of the main transmission, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) For spiders with 2,400 hours or more time-in-service (TIS) 
on the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), within 
the next 100 hours TIS, remove and replace the spider with an 
airworthy spider in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 205-
93-54, dated June 18, 1993, for the Models 205A and 205A-1; ASB 
205B-93-16, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 205B; ASB 212-93-83, 
dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 212; and ASB 412-93-72, Revision 
A, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 412 helicopters.
    (b) For spiders with less than 2,400 hours TIS on the effective 
date of this AD, prior to or upon attaining 2,500 hours TIS, remove 
and replace the spider with an airworthy spider in accordance with 
the accomplishment instructions of the appropriate ASB referred to 
in paragraph (a).
    (c) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations sections of 
the applicable helicopter maintenance manuals by establishing a 
retirement life of 2,500 hours TIS for the spider. However, spiders 
with 2,400 or more hours TIS on the effective date of this AD need 
not be retired until on or before the accumulation of an additional 
100 hours TIS.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used when approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
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 Certification 
Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The removal and replacement of the spider shall be done in 
accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) 205-93-54, dated June 18, 1993, for the Models 205A and 205A-
1; ASB 205B-93-16, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 205B; ASB 212-
93-83, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 212; and ASB 412-93-72, 
Revision A, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 412 helicopters. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 14, 1994.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 30, 1994.
James D. Erickson,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-21965 Filed 9-8-94; 8:45 am]
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