[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16384-16385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9273]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-SW-19-AD; Amendment 39-9569; AD 96-08-03]


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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
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, that requires removing any Flight Trails Helicopters, 
Inc. hardpoint assembly not identified by part number (P/N) and serial 
number (S/N). This amendment 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 this 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 20, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James Wang, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, 
telephone (310) 627-5303, fax (310) 627-5210.

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 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, 
was published in the Federal Register on September 19, 1995 (60 FR 
48428). That action proposed to require, before further flight, 
removing the hardpoint assemblies not marked by a part number and a 
serial number from the affected helicopters. These hardpoint assemblies 
are used to secure a searchlight or night vision system to the affected 
helicopter.
    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 the rule as proposed, except for adding the -1 and -2 to 
further identify the jacking fitting part number. The FAA has 
determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of this AD.
    The FAA estimates that 59 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will 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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,540.
    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, 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:

[[Page 16385]]

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:

AD 96-08-03  Flight Trails Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-9569. 
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 369H2521-1 and -2, 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 3: 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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on May 20, 1996.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 2, 1996.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9273 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]
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