[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16073-16075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8425]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-SW-36-AD; Amendment 39-9981; AD 97-07-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of 
Textron Canada Ltd. Model 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

[[Page 16074]]

applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada 
Ltd. (BHTC) Model 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 helicopters, that requires 
creation of a component history card using a Retirement Index Number 
(RIN) system, establishing a system for tracking increases to the 
accumulated RIN, and a maximum accumulated RIN for certain main rotor 
masts (masts) and main rotor trunnions (trunnions). This amendment is 
prompted by fatigue analyses and tests that show certain masts and 
trunnions fail sooner than originally anticipated because of the 
unanticipated higher number of external load lifts and takeoffs (torque 
events) performed with those masts and trunnions in addition to the 
time-in-service (TIS) accrued under other operating conditions. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of 
the mast or trunnion, which could result in loss of the main rotor 
system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective May 9, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada 
Ltd. 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; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jurgen Priester, Aerospace 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5159, 
fax (817) 222-5959.

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 BHTC Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 
and 206L-4 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on 
November 14, 1996 (61 FR 58355). That action proposed to require, 
within the next 100 hours TIS, creation of a component history card 
using the RIN system for certain masts and trunnions; and establishing 
a system for tracking increases to the accumulated RIN. That action 
also proposed to establish a retirement life for trunnions based solely 
on a RIN of 24,000, and a mast retirement life based on a maximum RIN 
of 44,000 or a maximum number of flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    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 the parenthetical 
insertion of the number of RIN's in paragraphs (d) and (e). The FAA has 
determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor expand the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 711 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately (1) 8 work hours 
per helicopter to replace the mast and 10 work hours per helicopter to 
replace the trunnion due to the new method of determining the 
retirement life required by this AD; (2) 2 work hours per helicopter to 
create the component history card or equivalent record (record); (3) 10 
work hours per helicopter to maintain the record each year, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $9,538 per mast and $2,083 per trunnion. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $2,016,989, and each subsequent year to be $1,945,889. These 
costs assume replacement of the mast and trunnion in one-sixth of the 
fleet each year, creation and maintenance of the records for all the 
fleet the first year, and creation of one-sixth of the fleet's records 
and maintenance of the records for all the fleet each subsequent year.
    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 USC 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 97-07-07  Bell Helicopter Textron, a Division of Textron Canada 
Ltd.: Amendment 39-9981. Docket No. 95-SW-36-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters, with main rotor mast (mast), part number (P/N) 206-040-
535-001, -005, -101, or -105, installed, or main rotor trunnion 
(trunnion), P/N 206-011-120-103, 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 (f) 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 100 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent fatigue failure of the mast or trunnion, which could 
result in loss of the main rotor system and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

[[Page 16075]]

    (a) Create a component history card or an equivalent record for 
the affected mast and trunnion.
    (b) Determine the accumulated Retirement Index Number (RIN) to 
date based on the number of takeoffs and external load lifts (torque 
events) for parts in service in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-94-99, Revision A, dated May 
1, 1995. Record this accumulated RIN on the component history card.
    (c) After complying with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, 
during each operation thereafter, maintain a count of the number of 
external load lifts and the number of takeoffs performed and at the 
end of each day's operations, increase the accumulated RIN on the 
component history cards as follows:
    (1) For the trunnion,
    (i) Increase the RIN for the Model 206, 206L-1, and 206L-3 
helicopters by 1 for each torque event.
    (ii) Increase the RIN for the Model 206L-4 helicopters by 2 for 
each torque event.
    (2) For the mast, increase the RIN for the Model 206L, 206L-1, 
206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters by 1 for each torque event.
    (d) Remove the trunnion from service on or before attaining the 
maximum accumulated RIN (24,000) in accordance with Table 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 
206L-94-99, Revision A, dated May 1, 1995.
    (e) Remove the mast from service on or before attaining the 
maximum accumulated RIN (44,000) or the flight hour service life 
limit, whichever occurs first, in accordance with Table 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 
206L-94-99, Revision A, dated May 1, 1995.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (g) 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.
    (h) The creation of the component history card, documentation, 
and removal of the trunnion and mast shall be done in accordance 
with Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 206L-94-99, Revision A, 
dated May 1, 1995. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bell 
Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada Ltd. 12,800 Rue de 
L'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec, Canada J7J1R4, ATTN: Product Support 
Engineering Light Helicopters. 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.
    (i) This amendment becomes effective on May 9, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 14, 1997.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8425 Filed 4-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U