[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15756-15758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8468]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-28-AD; Amendment 39-10431; AD 98-07-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; GKN Westland Helicopters Limited WG-30
Series 100 and 100-60 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that is applicable to GKN Westland Helicopters Limited
(Westland) WG-30 series 100 and 100-60 helicopters. This action
requires an initial visual inspection and replacement, if necessary, of
all main rotor head tie-bars. Thereafter, this AD requires, at
intervals not to exceed 220 hours time-in-service (TIS), replacing each
main rotor head tie-bar (tie-bar) with an airworthy tie-bar. This
amendment is prompted by an accident on a similar model military
helicopter in which a tie-bar failed; it is suspected that the military
helicopter involved in the accident exceeded the power-off transient
rotor speed limitation. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in failure of a tie-bar, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective April 16, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 16, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before June 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-28-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
GKN Westland Helicopters Limited, Customer Support Division, Yeovil,
Somerset BA20 2YB, England, telephone (01935) 703884, fax (01935)
703905. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 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. Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, ASW-111, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas, 76137, telephone (817) 222-5296, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA),
which is the airworthiness authority for the United Kingdom (UK),
recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
Westland WG-30 series 100 and 100-60 helicopters. The CAA advises that
when water gets into the blade sleeve it can cause bulging or swelling
of a tie-bar that could result in failure of a tie-bar, loss of a main
rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Westland has issued Westland Helicopters Service Bulletin (SB) No.
W30-62-34 and W30-62-35, both dated November 29, 1995, which specify
procedures for conditional, dimensional, and radiographic inspections
and replacement, if necessary, of the tie-bars. The actions specified
in these service bulletins are intended to prevent loss of a main rotor
blade due to bulging or swelling of a tie-bar, tie-bar failure, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The CAA classified these
service bulletins as mandatory and issued CAA ADs 010-11-95 and 011-11-
95, both dated January 31, 1996, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters in the UK.
These helicopter models are manufactured in the UK and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Westland WG-30 series 100 and 100-60
helicopters of the same type design eligible for registration in the
United States, this AD is being issued to prevent loss of a main rotor
blade due to failure of a tie-bar which could result in subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter. This AD requires an initial visual
inspection and replacement, if necessary, of the tie-bars
[[Page 15757]]
and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 220 hours TIS, replacement
of each tie-bar with an airworthy tie-bar. The actions are required to
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described
previously.
None of the Westland series 100 and 100-60 helicopters affected by
this action are on the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in the
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any
of these subject helicopters are imported and placed in the U.S.
Register in the future.
Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 25 work hours
for the visual inspection and 25 work hours, if necessary, for the
replacement of the tie-bars, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost $17,600 per helicopter. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $20,600 per helicopter,
assuming that the tie-bars are replaced.
Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is
currently on the U.S. Register, it has no adverse economic and imposes
no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-SW-28-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that notice and prior public comment are
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation and therefore, it can be
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States,
and that it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves
an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this
emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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 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 98-07-11 GKN Westland Helicopters Limited: Amendment 39-10431.
Docket No. 97-SW-28-AD.
Applicability: Westland 30 Series 100 and 100-60 helicopters
with main rotor head and spider assemblies, part number (P/N)
WG1369-0062-all dash numbers, and main rotor head assemblies, P/N
WG3069-0011, 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 (c) 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 a main rotor tie-bar (tie-bar), loss of a
main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter,
accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight, visually inspect all tie-bars for
bulging or swelling in accordance with Steps 2(B)(1) through 2(B)(4)
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Westland Helicopters Limited
(Westland) Service Bulletin (SB) No. W30-62-34, dated November 29,
1995. Replace any unairworthy tie bar(s) with airworthy tie bar(s).
(b) At intervals not to exceed 220 hours time-in-service (TIS),
replace each tie-bar with a zero-time airworthy tie-bar or an
airworthy tie-bar which has been inspected in accordance with
Westland SB No. W30-62-35, dated November 29, 1995, Annexe A through
Annexe C.
(c) 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 Standards Staff,
Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
[[Page 15758]]
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 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.
(e) The inspections shall be done in accordance with Westland SB
No. W30-62-34 and SB No. W30-62-35, both dated November 29, 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 GKN Westland Helicopters Limited,
Customer Support Division, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2YB, England,
telephone (01935) 703884, fax (01935) 703905. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 16, 1998.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Civil Aviation
Administration (United Kingdom) AD 010-11-95 and AD 011-11-95, both
dated January 31, 1996.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 24, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8468 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U