[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 34525-34526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15902]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-62-AD; Amendment 39-11203; AD 99-13-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 
Model 206L-4 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters, that requires replacing 
certain hydraulic relief valves (valves) with airworthy valves. This 
amendment is prompted by a pilot's report of intermittent hydraulic 
pressure in the flight controls that was caused by a defective 
hydraulic relief valve. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent intermittent hydraulic pressure to the flight controls and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective August 2, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: 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, 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: Mark Flora, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5172, fax (817) 222-5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters was 
published in the Federal Register on March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11401). That 
action proposed to require replacing certain valves with airworthy 
valves.
    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 as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 78 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$1,380. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $112,320 to replace the valve in the 
entire fleet.
    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 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 99-13-10  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11203. 
Docket No. 98-SW-62-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206L-4 helicopters, serial numbers 52001 
through 52208, 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

[[Page 34526]]

owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of 
compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) 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 300 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent intermittent hydraulic pressure to the flight 
controls and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove hydraulic relief valve, part number (P/N) 206-076-
036-101, and replace it with an improved hydraulic relief valve, P/N 
206-076-036-105, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-98-111, 
dated July 24, 1998.
    (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, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec. 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.
    (d) Replacement of the valve shall be done in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 206L-98-111, dated July 24, 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, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 2, 1999.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD CF-98-34, dated September 10, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 15, 1999.

Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-15902 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U