[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 22, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57823-57824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28517]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-04-AD; Amendment 39-9438; AD 95-24-06]


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, a Division of 
Textron Canada, Model 206B and 206L Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, a Division of Textron 
Canada (BHT), Model 206B and 206L helicopters, that currently requires 
a revision to the Limitations section of the FAA-approved Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) Rotorcraft Flight Manual Supplement (RFMS) until 
replacement of the engine power-out warning sensor on BHT Model 206B 
and 206L helicopters equipped with Allison 250-C20R engines in 
accordance with certain supplemental type certificates. This amendment 
requires a revision to the Limitations section of the STC RFMS, but 
removes the requirement for replacement of the engine power-out warning 
sensor. This amendment is prompted by a reevaluation of the need for an 
engine power-out warning sensor based on the lack of reported 
operational occurrences of the false engine-out warnings. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to maintain a heightened pilot 
awareness that false engine-out warnings may occur when practicing 
autorotations and could result in an unnecessary emergency autorotative 
landing.

DATES: Effective December 27, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was previously approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of December 30, 1991 (56 FR 63631, December 5, 1991).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Soloy Corporation, 450 Pat Kennedy Way SW., Olympia, 
Washington 98501-7298. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 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. Stephen Bray, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056, telephone (206) 227-2681, fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 91-23-15, 
Amendment 39-8084 (56 FR 63631, dated December 5, 1991), which is 
applicable to BHT Model 206B and 206L helicopters equipped with Allison 
250-C20R engines in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate No. 
SH4169NM, SH4179NM, or SH4729NM was published in the Federal Register 
on June 7, 1993 (58 FR 31916). That action proposed to require a 
revision to the Limitations section of the applicable STC RFMS in 
accordance with Soloy Corporation Service Bulletin 02-680, revised 
December 8, 1992.
    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. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of 

[[Page 57824]]
the rule as proposed, except for some editorial changes and adding 
explanatory Note 1, relating to the scope of the applicability 
statement when modifications, alterations, or repairs have been made in 
the area subject to the requirements of the AD. Additionally, the FAA 
has revised the proposed estimated average labor rate from $55 per work 
hour to an estimated average labor rate of $60 per work hour in the 
preamble portion of this final rule. This revision will increase the 
estimated total cost impact of the AD from $1,045 to $1,140. Finally, 
the type certificate has been transferred to a new owner since the 
issuance of the proposal. 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 19 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately one work hour per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,140.
    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 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-8084 (56 FR 
63631, December 5, 1991), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-9438, to read as follows:

AD 95-24-06  Bell Helicopter Textron, a division of Textron Canada 
(BHT): Amendment 39-9438. Docket No. 93-SW-04-AD. Supersedes AD 91-
23-15, Amendment 39-8084.

    Applicability: Model 206B and 206L helicopters, equipped with 
Allison 250-C20R engine power-out warning sensors, part number (P/N) 
206-075-545-001, in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) No. SH4169NM (applicable to Model 206L), SH4179NM (applicable 
to Model 206B), or SH4729NM (applicable to both Models 206B & L), 
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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To alert the pilot of a potential false engine-out warning when 
practicing autorotations that could result in an unnecessary 
emergency autorotative landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations section of the applicable FAA-approved STC 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual Supplement (RFMS) by adding the warning 
statement and note contained in the Description section of Soloy 
Corporation Service Bulletin 02-680, revised December 8, 1992.
    (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, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or 
comment and then send it to the Manager, Seattle 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 Seattle Aircraft Certification Office.

    (c) Special flight permits to accomplish the requirements of 
this AD will not be issued.
    (d) The warning and note to be inserted into the Limitations 
section of the applicable STC RFMS are contained in Soloy 
Corporation Service Bulletin 02-680, revised December 8, 1992. This 
incorporation by reference was previously approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51 as of December 30, 1991 (56 FR 63631, December 5, 1991). 
Copies may be obtained from Soloy Corporation, 450 Pat Kennedy Way 
SW., Olympia, Washington 98501-7298. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 27, 1995.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 8, 1995.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-28517 Filed 11-21-95; 8:45 am]
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