[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 151 (Friday, August 6, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42824-42825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20182]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-42-AD; Amendment 39-11248; AD 99-16-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD-
900 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to MDHI Model MD-900 helicopters, that currently 
requires applying specified serial numbers and establishing life limits 
for certain parts. This amendment is prompted by additional analysis 
that supports an increase in the life limit of certain parts. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to increase the life limits 
for various parts.

DATES: Effective September 10, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was previously approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of July 10, 1997 (62 FR 34163).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 
5000 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615-GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9797, 
telephone 1-800-388-3378 or 480-891-6342, datafax 480-891-6782. 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: Greg DiLibero, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5231, fax (562) 627-
5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 97-13-09, 
Amendment 39-10056 (62 FR 34163, June 25, 1997), which is applicable to 
MDHI Model MD-900 helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on 
April 28, 1999 (64 FR 22818). That action proposed to require 
increasing the life limit of various parts and correcting an incorrect 
part number that was listed in AD 97-13-09. That action also proposed 
to require, as in AD 97-13-09, applying serial numbers to certain parts 
and establishing a life limit for the vertical stabilizer control 
system bellcrank assembly.
    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. However, since the publication of the 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the name of the type certificate holder 
has changed from ``McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems'' to ``MD 
Helicopter, Inc.'' This final rule reflects that change; the FAA has 
determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden 
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

[[Page 42825]]

    The FAA estimates that 27 helicopters will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 2.5 work hours per helicopter to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,050.
    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 removing Amendment 39-10056 (62 FR 
34163, June 25, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-11248, to read as follows:

AD 99-16-13  MD HELICOPTERS, INC.: Amendment 39-11248. Docket No. 
98-SW-42-AD. Supersedes AD 97-13-09, Amendment 39-10056, Docket No. 
96-SW-35-AD.

    Applicability: MD-900 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 (d) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To establish appropriate life limits for various parts, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) On or before attaining the following life limits, remove 
from service:
    (1) The nonrotating swashplate assembly, part number (P/N) 
900C2010192-105, -107, -109, or -111, on or before 1,800 hours time-
in-service (TIS).
    (2) The collective drive link assembly, P/N 900C2010207-101, on 
or before 3,307 hours TIS.
    (3) The self-aligning, spherical/slider main rotor bearing, P/N 
900C3010042-103, on or before 2,030 hours TIS.
    (4) The vertical stabilizer control system (VSCS) bellcrank 
assembly, P/N 900FP341712-103, and bellcrank arm, P/N 900F2341712-
101, on or before 2,700 hours TIS.
    (b) On or before 100 hours TIS after July 10, 1997, or before 
October 31, 1999, whichever occurs first:
    (1) For Model MD-900 helicopters with serial numbers (S/N) 900-
00002 through 900-00012, apply the appropriate S/N to the mid-
forward truss assembly, P/N 900F2401200-102, and the forward and aft 
deck-fitting assemblies, P/N 900F2401500-103 and 900F2401600-103.
    (2) For Model MD-900 helicopters with S/N 900-00002 through 900-
00048, apply S/N to the left and right VSCS bellcrank assemblies, P/
N 900F2341712-101 and 900FP341712-103, and the mid-aft truss strut 
assembly, P/N 900F2401300-103.
    (3) Apply the S/N as specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) 
of this AD adjacent to the existing P/N in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of MDHS Service Bulletin No. 900-039, 
Revision 2, dated March 12, 1997.
    (c) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
MD-900 Maintenance Manual by increasing the retirement lives for 
certain parts.

    Note 2: The Airworthiness Limitations Section of the MD-900 
Rotorcraft Maintenance Manual, Reissue 1, Revision 2, dated July 24, 
1998, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (d) 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 3: 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.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The application of the serial numbers shall be done in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas 
Helicopter Systems Service Bulletin No. 900-039, Revision 2, dated 
March 12, 1997. This incorporation by reference of that document was 
previously approved by the Director of the Federal Register, in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, as of July 10, 
1997 (62 FR 34163). Copies may be obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., 
Attn: Customer Support Division, 5000 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop 
M615-GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9797, telephone 1-800-388-3378 or 
480-891-6342, datafax 480-891-6782. 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 1999.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 28, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20182 Filed 8-5-99; 8:45 am]
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