[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 116 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32398-32399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15363]
[[Page 32398]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-66-AD; Amendment 39-11196; AD 99-13-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)
Model 206L-4 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 BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters. This action requires a
reduction in the retirement lives of certain collective idler links and
collective levers, and re-identifying certain collective idler links
and collective levers. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of
two types of collective idler links and collective levers--manufactured
from different materials--that are identified with the same part
numbers but should have substantially different retirement lives. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent use of a
collective idler link (link) or collective lever (lever) beyond its
retirement life, which could lead to failure of the link or lever and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective July 2, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 2, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 16, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-66-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec
JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. 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: Michael Kohner, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193, telephone (817) 222-5447, fax (817) 222-5783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, has notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters. Transport Canada advises that
certain part-numbered links and levers are manufactured from different
materials (some from forged material and others from rolled plate
stock); however, the links and levers are identified with the same part
number. The links and levers manufactured from forged material have a
longer retirement life than those manufactured from rolled plate stock.
BHTC has issued Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No.
206L-98-110, dated May 6, 1998, which provides instructions for
differentiating the differently-manufactured links and levers and re-
identifying certain links and levers. Transport Canada classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-98-20, dated August
5, 1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
helicopters in Canada.
This helicopter model is manufactured in Canada and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of Transport Canada, 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 BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters of the same
type design registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to
prevent use of a link or lever beyond its retirement life, which could
lead to failure of the link or lever and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter. This AD requires determining which type of link and
lever is installed on the helicopter, a reduction in the service life
of certain links and levers, and re-identifying certain links and
levers. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with
the service bulletin described previously. The short compliance time
involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe
condition can adversely affect the controllability of the helicopter.
Therefore, determining which types of link and lever are installed on
the helicopter and re-identifying certain links and levers; reducing
the retirement lives of certain links and levers; and replacing those
links and levers that have reached or exceeded these revised retirement
lives are required within 25 hours time-in-service, and this AD must be
issued immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
The FAA estimates that 78 helicopters will be affected by this AD,
that it will take approximately 0.5 work hour to identify and replace a
link and lever, if necessary, and 1 work hour to re-identify the link
and lever, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts will cost a maximum of $8,880 per helicopter. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $692,640.
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
[[Page 32399]]
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. 98-SW-66-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 this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, 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 99-13-03 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11196.
Docket No. 98-SW-66-AD.
Applicability: Model 206L-4 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
otherwise 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within 25 hours time-in-service, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent use of a collective idler link (link) or collective
lever (lever) beyond its retirement life, which could lead to
failure of the link or lever and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Determine the part numbers and serial numbers of the link
and the lever in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment
Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No.
206L-98-110, dated May 6, 1998 (ASB).
(b) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
applicable maintenance manual to reflect the retirement lives in
hours as stated in step 5, Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions
in the ASB.
(c) Remove any link or lever that has reached its retirement
life and replace it with an airworthy link or lever.
(d) Re-identify links and levers that do not have a serial
number listed in Notes A or B of step 5, Part I of the
Accomplishment Instructions in the ASB by marking the links and
levers in accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions
in the ASB. Re-identified links, P/N 206-010-446-107FM, and re-
identified levers, P/N 206-010-447-109FM, have the same retirement
lives as links, P/N 206-010-446-107, and levers,
P/N 206-010-447-109, respectively.
(e) 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 a 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.
(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 identification, service life determination, and re-
identification of the link and lever shall be done in accordance
with Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-98-110,
dated May 6, 1998. 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 Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec
JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on July 2, 1999.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
(Canada) AD No. CF-98-20, dated August 5, 1998.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 8, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-15363 Filed 6-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P