[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27928]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-SW-08-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 
206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. 
Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. This 
proposal would require removal and replacement of certain crosstube 
assemblies (crosstubes). This proposal is prompted by two accidents 
attributed to crosstube failures, as well as 27 field reports that 
indicate that corrosion or metal fatigue may cause a failure of the 
affected crosstubes. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the crosstubes and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 13, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 94-SW-08-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon Miles, Aerospace Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort 
Worth, Texas, 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5172, fax (817) 222-5959.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 94-SW-08-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-SW-08-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    This notice proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), that is applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 
206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, equipped with 
crosstube assemblies (crosstubes), BHTI part numbers (P/N) 206-050-107, 
206-050-119, 206-050-134, 206-050-157, 206-050-169, 206-053-109, 206-
053-119, and 206-053-129 (all dash numbers), or Airborne Supply, Inc. 
P/N AB206-050-107, AB206-050-119, or AB206-053-109. There have been at 
least two accidents attributed to failures of the crosstubes. 
Additionally, 27 field reports indicated that corrosion or metal 
fatigue may contribute to cracking of the crosstubes. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in failure of the crosstubes and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 206A, 
206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters of the same type 
design, the proposed AD would require removal and replacement of 
certain crosstubes within the next 90 calendar days.
    The FAA estimates that 5,700 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 10 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $6,400 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$39,900,000 to replace two crosstubes per helicopter.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI): Docket No. 94-SW-08-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-
4 helicopters, crosstube assemblies (crosstubes), BHTI part numbers 
(P/N) 206-050-107, 206-050-119, 206-050-134, 206-050-157, 206-050-
169, 206-053-109, 206-053-119, and 206-053-129 (all dash numbers), 
or Airborne Supply, Inc. P/N AB206-050-107, AB206-050-119, or AB206-
053-109 (all dash numbers) installed, certified in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the crosstubes and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 90 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, 
remove any affected crosstube listed in the ``Applicability'' 
paragraph of this AD, and replace with an airworthy crosstube in 
accordance with the appropriate maintenance manual or service 
instructions. Any crosstubes removed as a result of this AD shall be 
permanently marked as unairworthy.

    Note 1: For BHTI P/N 206-053-109 and 206-053-119, the P/N are 
vibro-etched on the upper cuff of the crosstube on the aft side on 
both forward and aft crosstubes; for BHTI P/N 206-053-129, the P/N 
are vibro-etched on the bottom of the cuff on the aft side on both 
forward and aft crosstubes; for BHTI P/N 206-050-107, 206-050-119, 
206-050-134, 206-050-157, and 206-050-169, the P/N are stamped in 
ink on the crosstube, which is shipped without paint (once the 
helicopter is painted, the P/N are covered); and for Airborne 
Supply, Inc., P/N AB206-050-107, AB206-050-119, and AB206-053-109, 
the P/N are rubber stamped at the bottom end of the crosstube.
    (b) If the crosstubes' P/N cannot be determined by reference to 
the crosstubes, if possible, determine the P/N by reference to the 
maintenance records or other aircraft records. If the crosstubes' P/
N cannot be determined, replace the crosstubes with airworthy 
crosstubes within 90 calendar days after the effective date of this 
AD in accordance with the appropriate maintenance manual or service 
instructions.
    (c) 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 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 3, 1994.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27928 Filed 11-10-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P