[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16072-16073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8426]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-17-AD; Amendment 39-9980; AD 97-07-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing priority letter 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to 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 amendment requires the same actions required by the 
existing priority letter AD, but restricts the applicability to the 
Model 412 helicopters with a certain steel main rotor control 
swashplate support assembly (steel swashplate support assembly) 
installed. This amendment also allows the installation of an improved 
main rotor control swashplate assembly that terminates the requirements 
of this AD. This amendment is prompted by reported cracking and in-
service failures of certain steel swashplate support assemblies. The 
actions specified by this 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: 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, 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, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Charles Harrison, Aerospace 
Engineer, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding priority letter AD 
92-03-13, issued January 31, 1992, which is applicable to Bell 
Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412 helicopters, was published in the 
Federal Register on October 25, 1996 (61 FR 55231). That action 
proposed 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 
proposed 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.
    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 with one change--a reference to a specific part of 
a service bulletin was added for clarification. The FAA has determined 
that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any

[[Page 16073]]

operator nor expand the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 40 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required 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 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 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 
(AD), Amendment 39-9980, to read as follows:

AD 27-07-06  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 Part I of 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 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.
    (g) The inspections, installation, and replacement, if 
necessary, shall be done in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron, 
Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 412-92-57, Revision A, dated 
January 30, 1992, or ASB 412-92-61, dated May 14, 1992, as 
appropriate. 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, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, 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.
    (h) 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. 97-8426 Filed 4-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U