[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]


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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.

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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