[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 208 (Friday, October 25, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55231-55233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27393]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-17-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing priority 
letter airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bell 
Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412 helicopters, that currently requires 
a daily inspection of certain swashplate support assemblies. It also 
requires a reduction in VNE, and installation of appropriate 
airspeed indicator markings and a placard. This action would require 
the same actions required by the existing Priority Letter AD, but would 
restrict the applicability to the Model 412 helicopters with a certain 
steel main rotor control swashplate support assembly (steel swashplate 
support assembly) installed. This AD also proposes to allow the 
installation of an improved main rotor control swashplate assembly that 
terminates the requirements of this AD. This proposal is prompted by 
reported cracks and in-service failures of certain steel swashplate 
support assemblies. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the steel swashplate support assembly 
that could result in loss of main rotor control and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 96-SW-17-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 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76101. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Charles Harrison, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Southwest Region, Rotorcraft Certification Office, ASW-
170, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5447, FAX (817) 
222-5959.

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. 96-SW-17-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

[[Page 55232]]

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. 96-SW-17-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    On January 31, 1992, the FAA issued priority letter AD 92-03-13, to 
require, before further flight and thereafter before the first flight 
of each day, an inspection of the forward and aft clevis areas of the 
steel swashplate support assembly, part number (P/N) 412-010-453-101. 
It also requires a reduction in the maximum allowable airspeed to the 
lesser of 110 knots or VNE, and further requires the installation 
of appropriate airspeed indicator markings and a placard. That AD also 
mandates that if a crack is found in the clevis areas of the steel 
swashplate support assembly, the steel swashplate support assembly must 
be removed and replaced with an airworthy part. That action was 
prompted by two reported in-service failures of a swashplate support 
assembly. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent loss of 
main rotor control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    Since the issuance of that AD, an improved steel swashplate support 
assembly, P/N 412-010-453-105, has become available. Installation of 
the improved steel swashplate support assembly, P/N 412-010-453-105, or 
an aluminum swashplate support assembly, P/N 412-010-443-101 or -109, 
terminates the requirements of this AD. BHTI issued Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. 412-92-61, dated May 14, 1992, to provide for 
installation of this improved steel swashplate support assembly. 
Additionally, some editorial changes have been made to the AD.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412 
helicopters of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede 
priority letter AD 92-03-13, issued January 13, 1992, to require a 
daily inspection of certain steel main rotor control swashplate support 
assemblies, a reduction in VNE, and installation of appropriate 
airspeed markings and a placard. It also proposes an optional 
installation of an improved steel main rotor control swashplate support 
assembly or an aluminum swashplate support assembly, that when 
installed, constitutes a terminating action for the requirements of 
this AD. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance 
with ASB No. 412-92-61, dated May 14, 1992, and ASB No. 412-92-57, 
Revision A, dated January 30, 1992.
    The FAA estimates that 40 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 20 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. The aluminum swashplate support 
assembly, P/N 412-010-443-101 or -109 costs $4,526. The steel 
swashplate support assembly, P/N 412-010-453-105, costs $9,234. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $417,360, if all the swashplates in the 
fleet are replaced with support assemblies, P/N 412-010-453-105.
    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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Docket No. 96-SW-17-AD. Supersedes 
priority letter AD 92-03-13, issued January 31, 1992, Docket No. 92-
ASW-31.

    Applicability: Model 412 helicopters, with steel main rotor 
control swashplate support assembly (steel swashplate support 
assembly), part number (P/N) 412-010-453-101, 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 (e) 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 prevent failure of the steel swashplate support 
assembly that could result in loss of main rotor control and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
and thereafter, before the first flight of each day, visually 
inspect, with an inspection mirror and a bright light, the forward 
and aft clevis areas of the steel swashplate support assembly, part 
number (P/N) 412-010-453-101, in accordance with Bell Helicopter 
Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 412-92-57, Revision A, 
dated January 30, 1992.
    (b) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
install a red radial arc on each airspeed indicator to prohibit 
airspeeds above 110 knots. Near the pilot's airspeed indicator, 
install a placard made of material that is not easily erased, 
disfigured, or obscured that contains the following statement in 
lettering that is 0.2 inch minimum in height: ``VNE not to 
exceed 110 KIAS or VNE from the airspeed limitation placard, 
whichever is less.''

    Note 2: ASB No. 412-92-58, dated January 27, 1992, contains 
information on the airspeed limitation.

    (c) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace the 
steel swashplate support assembly, P/N 412-010-453-101, with an 
airworthy part.
    (d) Installation of an improved steel swashplate support 
assembly, P/N 412-010-453-105, or aluminum swashplate support 
assembly, P/N 412-010-443-101 or -109, in

[[Page 55233]]

accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 412-92-61, 
dated May 14, 1992, constitutes a terminating action for the 
requirements of this AD, and the red radial arc on each airspeed 
indicator and the airspeed placard installed as a result of this AD 
may be removed.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or an adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office. 
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.

    (f) 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 October 17, 1996.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-27393 Filed 10-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U