[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15903-15904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8851]



 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 10, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 15903]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-SW-35-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of 
Textron Canada, Ltd. Model 206L-1 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, A 
Division of Textron Canada, Ltd. (BHTC) Model 206L-1 helicopters that 
have a Kratos turbine outlet temperature (TOT) indicator (Kratos 
indicator) installed. This proposal would require replacing certain 
Kratos indicators. This proposal is prompted by manufacturer's tests 
and FAA analyses that show certain Kratos indicators may incorrectly 
provide low-temperature readings when battery voltage is below 10 
volts. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
false low-temperature indications, which could result in overheating of 
the engine turbine (turbine) and subsequent thermal fatigue damage to 
the turbine wheel.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 95-SW-35-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. -
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from BHTC, 12,800 Rue de L'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec, Canada 
J7J1R4, ATTN: Product Support Engineering Light Helicopters. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jennifer Kuehn, Aerospace 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5366, 
fax (817) 222-5960.

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-35-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-35-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion -

    This notice proposes the adoption of a new AD that is applicable to 
BHTC Model 206L-1 helicopters. Manufacturer's tests and subsequent FAA 
analyses show that certain Kratos indicators, part number (P/N) 
124.444-6 or 124.444-20, may incorrectly provide low-temperature 
readings when battery voltage is below 10 volts. -
    Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., the previous type certificate 
holder, has issued Alert Service Bulletin 206L-94-94, Revision A, dated 
July 11, 1994, which specifies removing the Kratos indicator and 
replacing it with an Ametek indicator, P/N 206-075-680-105 or P/N 206-
375-006-101. This notice proposes to require replacement of the Kratos 
indicator, P/N 124.444-6 or 124.444-20, with any airworthy Model 206L-1 
TOT indicator, except for Kratos indicator, P/N 124.444-6 or 124.444-
20. This helicopter model is type certificated for operation in the 
United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral 
airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness 
agreement, the Canadian Airworthiness Authority has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has reviewed all 
available information and determined that AD action is necessary for 
products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the 
United States. -
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other BHTC Model 206L-1 helicopters of the same 
type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would 
require removing the Kratos indicator and replacing it with an 
airworthy TOT indicator within 90 days after the effective date of this 
AD. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with 
the service bulletin described previously.-
    The FAA estimates that 100 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 8 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 $8,300 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$878,000. -

[[Page 15904]]

    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), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended] -

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

Bell Helicopter Textron, a Division of Textron Canada, Ltd.: Docket 
No. 95-SW-35-AD.

    -Applicability: Model 206L-1 helicopters that have a Kratos 
turbine outlet temperature (TOT) indicator (Kratos indicator), part 
number (P/N) 124.444-6 or 124.444-20, installed, 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 within 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, unless accomplished previously. -
    To prevent false low-temperature indications, which could result 
in overheating of the engine turbine (turbine) and subsequent 
thermal fatigue damage to the turbine wheel, accomplish the 
following: -
    (a) Remove the Kratos indicator, P/N 124.444-6 or 124.444-20, 
and replace it with any airworthy Model 206L-1 TOT indicator, except 
for the Kratos TOT indicator, P/N 124.444-6 or 124.444-20.

    -Note 2: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 
206L-94-94, Revision A, dated July 11, 1994, pertains to this AD.

    -(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, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft 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 April 2, 1996.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-8851 Filed 4-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P