[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 20, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44245-44247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22045]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-SW-03-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems 
Model 369F and 369FF 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 McDonnell Douglas Helicopter 
Systems (MDHS) Model 369F and 369FF helicopters. This proposal would 
require removing the tail rotor control rod assembly (rod assembly) and 
replacing it with an airworthy rod assembly. This proposal is prompted 
by a failure of a rod assembly during a proof-load test conducted by 
the manufacturer. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended 
to prevent buckling of the rod assembly when subjected to ultimate jam 
loads, loss of tail rotor control, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 20, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 97-SW-03-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.


[[Page 44246]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John L. Cecil, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-120L, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-
5322, fax (562) 627-5210.

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. 97-SW-03-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. 97-SW-03-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 
76137.

Discussion

    This document proposes the adoption of a new AD that is applicable 
to MDHS Model 369F and 369FF helicopters. This proposal would require 
removing the rod assembly, part number (P/N) 369D27516, and replacing 
it with an airworthy rod assembly, P/N 369D27516-5, within 300 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of the AD. On April 16, 
1996, one rod assembly failed during a proof-load test conducted by the 
manufacturer. It was determined that the design of the rod assembly was 
inadequate for jam load conditions. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in buckling of the rod assembly when subjected to ultimate 
jam loads, loss of tail rotor control, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other MDHS Model 369F and 369FF helicopters of the 
same type design, the proposed AD would require, within 300 hours TIS 
after the effective date of the AD, removing the rod assembly and 
replacing it with an airworthy rod assembly. Replacement of the rod 
assembly, P/N 369D27516, with an airworthy rod assembly, P/N 369D27516-
5, constitutes a terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
    The FAA estimates that 17 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours 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 proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $4080.
    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:

McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems: Docket No. 97-SW-03-AD.

    Applicability: Model 369F and 369FF helicopters, 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 300 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent buckling of the tail rotor control rod assembly (rod 
assembly) when subjected to ultimate jam loads, loss of tail rotor 
control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the rod assembly, part number (P/N) 369D27516, and 
replace it with an airworthy rod assembly, P/N 369D27516-5. 
Replacement of the rod assembly with an airworthy rod assembly, P/N 
369D275216-5, constitutes a terminating action for the requirements 
of this AD.
    (b) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: 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

[[Page 44247]]

to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 13, 1997.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-22045 Filed 8-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U