[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 19, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48428-48429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23123]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-SW-19-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc., 
Hardpoint Assemblies Installed on McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems 
Model 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N 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 Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc. 
hardpoint assemblies, installed in accordance with Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) No. SH6080NM, or in accordance with Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) Form 337, ``Major Repair and Alteration,'' 
approved on McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems (MDHS) Model 369D, 
369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N helicopters. This proposal would require 
removing any Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc. hardpoint assembly not 
identified by part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N). This proposal 
is prompted by two incidents in which the hardpoint assembly used to 
support a search light or night vision system reportedly failed. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of 
the hardpoint assembly, separation of the hardpoint assembly from the 
helicopter, and subsequent contact between the hardpoint assembly and 
the fuselage or rotor system of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the FAA, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-SW-19-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: Mr. James Wang, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (310) 627-5232, fax (310) 627-
5210.

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. 95-SW-19-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. 95-SW-19-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    This document proposes the adoption of a new AD that is applicable 
to Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc. hardpoint assemblies installed in 
accordance with STC No. SH6080NM, or in accordance with FAA Form 337, 
``Major Repair and Alteration,'' approved on MDHS Model 369D, 369E, 
369F, 369FF, and 500N helicopters. Two incidents have occurred in which 
the hardpoint assembly reportedly failed at its installation weld. The 
hardpoint assembly is used to attach equipment such as a search light 
or night vision 

[[Page 48429]]
system to the helicopter's fuselage. In the first incident, a failure 
occurred in the hardpoint installation weld area due to a fatigue 
crack. The discovery of a crack in the hardpoint assembly installation 
weld on a second helicopter occurred during a visual ground check. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the hardpoint 
assembly, separation of the hardpoint assembly from the helicopter, and 
subsequent contact between the hardpoint assembly and the fuselage or 
rotor system of the helicopter.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc. hardpoint 
assemblies installed on MDHS Model 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N 
helicopters of the same type design, the proposed AD would require, 
before further flight, removing the hardpoint assembly that secures a 
searchlight or night vision system to the helicopter.
    The FAA estimates that 59 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $3,540.
    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. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc.: Docket No. 95-SW-19-AD.

    Applicability: McDonnell Douglas Helicopters Systems (MDHS) 
Model 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N helicopters, that have been 
modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. 
SH6080NM, or in accordance with a Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA) Form 337, ``Major Repair and Alteration,'' using Flight Trails 
Helicopters, Inc. hardpoint assemblies, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.
    Note 2: Information concerning the hardpoint assemblies may be 
obtained from Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc., ATTN: Mr. Larry 
Anderson, 4805 Falcon Drive, Mesa, Arizona, 85205, telephone (602) 
396-8242.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent failure of the hardpoint assembly, separation 
of the hardpoint assembly from the helicopter, and subsequent 
contact between the hardpoint assembly and the fuselage or rotor 
system of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Before further flight, remove from the helicopter any Flight 
Trails Helicopters, Inc. hardpoint assembly not marked with a part 
number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) by removing the NAS 1351-3 cap 
screw that secures the hardpoint assembly to the jacking fitting, P/
N 369H2521, and slipping the hardpoint assembly out of the step 
mount.
    The only Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc. hardpoint assemblies 
that are considered airworthy and eligible for installation are 
those hardpoint assemblies marked with a serial number and either P/
N FTH 105 LH Mod 1, for a hardpoint assembly mounted on the left 
side of the helicopter, or P/N FTH 105 RH Mod 1, for a hardpoint 
assembly mounted on the right side.
    (b) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or 
comment and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    (c) 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 September 11, 1995.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-23123 Filed 9-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P