[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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