[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 231 (Friday, December 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29510]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-15-AD; Amendment 39-9084; AD 94-24-11]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 
206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 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 206A, 206B, 206L, 
206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters, that requires a one-time inspection for 
cracks in the tail rotor drive shaft hanger bearing support brackets 
(brackets), and repair or replacement, as necessary. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of cracks in the bend radius of the brackets. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent misalignment of 
the tail rotor drive shaft, failure of the tail rotor drive shaft 
system, loss of control of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective January 6, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Attention 
Customer Support, 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: Ms. Sharon Miles, Aerospace Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5172, fax (817) 222-5995.

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 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters was published in 
the Federal Register on September 21, 1993 (58 FR 48989). That action 
proposed to require a one-time inspection for cracks of tail rotor 
drive shaft hanger bearing support brackets (brackets), and repair or 
replacement, as 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. However, 
in the cost/benefit analysis section of the preamble, the average labor 
rate has been changed from the proposed rate of $55 per work hour to 
the more current rate of $60 per work hour. This rate change increases 
the proposed estimated total cost of $1,265,000 by $55,000 to 
$1,320,000. Additionally, there have been some editorial changes made 
to the proposal. The FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed with the changes 
noted. Although the labor rate and, correspondingly, the estimated 
total cost amounts have been changed to reflect the more current labor 
rate, these changes have been made to the preamble information and not 
to the proposed regulatory requirements of the AD. The FAA has 
determined that the editorial changes made to the regulatory 
requirements of the rule will neither increase the economic burden on 
any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 5,500 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$120 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,320,000.
    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:

94-24-11  Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI): Amendment 39-9084. 
Docket No. 93-SW-15-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206A and 206B helicopters, with tail rotor 
drive shaft hanger bearing support brackets (brackets), part number 
(P/N) 206-030-407 or -433, installed; and Models 206L, 206L-1, and 
206L-3 helicopters, with brackets, P/N 206-033-412, installed, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent misalignment of the tail rotor drive shaft, failure 
of the tail rotor drive shaft system, loss of control of the tail 
rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, and prior to installing any affected 
brackets on a helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (1) Inspect and rework brackets, P/N 206-030-407 or -433, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BHTI Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-92-69, dated September 29, 1992.
    (2) Inspect and rework brackets, P/N 206-033-412, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of BHTI ASB 206L-92-84, dated 
September 29, 1992.
    (b) If multiple cracks are found, or if a crack is found that 
equals or exceeds 0.10 inches in length, replace the bracket before 
further flight.
    (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, Southwest Region, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0170. 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.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 inspections, rework, and replacement, if necessary, 
shall be done in accordance with BHTI Alert Service Bulletin 206-92-
69, dated September 29, 1992, that is applicable to BHTI Model 206A 
and 206B helicopters; and BHTI Alert Service Bulletin 206L-92-84, 
dated September 29, 1992, that is applicable to BHTI Model 206L, 
206L-1, and 206L-3 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, Customer Support, 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 January 6, 1995.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 22, 1994.
James D. Erickson,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-29510 Filed 12-01-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P