[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57971-57972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27790]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-07-AD; Amendment 39-11391; AD 99-22-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 
Model 407 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 407 helicopters, that requires visually 
inspecting the vertical fin (fin) for reduced skin thickness; repairing 
or replacing the fin, if necessary; and identifying fins that have been 
inspected or repaired. This amendment is prompted by a report of an 
inboard skin damaged during production. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to detect fin assemblies with reduced skin thickness 
which, if not corrected, reduce the strength of the skin and could lead 
to failure of the fin and loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective December 2, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 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: Mike Kohner, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5447, 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 407 helicopters was 
published in the Federal Register on August 2, 1999 (64 FR 41841). That 
action proposed to require visually inspecting the fin for reduced skin 
thickness; repairing or replacing the fin, if necessary; and 
identifying fins that have been inspected or repaired.
    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 124 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3.0 work hours to 
accomplish the visual inspection; 4.0 work hours to accomplish the 
vertical fin replacement, and 0.5 work hour to mark the fin, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $18,770. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,220 per helicopter, or 
a total of $2,383,280 for the entire fleet, to accomplish all the 
actions including replacing the fin.
    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 99-22-13  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11391. 
Docket No. 99-SW-07-AD.

    Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, with vertical fin (fin) 
assembly, part number (P/N) 206-020-113-223A, -223B, or -223S, with 
a serial number with a prefix of ``BP'', up to and including 2266 
(except BP2260, BP2262, and BP2265), 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 
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 (c) 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 100 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To detect fin assemblies with reduced skin thickness which, if 
not corrected, reduce the strength of the skin and could lead to 
failure of the vertical fin (fin) and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Visually inspect the fin assembly for reduced skin 
thickness, indicated by notches, scratches, or grooves on the skin, 
in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions 
contained in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-
98-17, Revision A, dated June 26, 1998 (ASB). If notches, scratches, 
or grooves are found, repair or replace the fin assembly in 
accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions contained 
in the ASB.

[[Page 57972]]

    (b) Identify any fin that has been inspected or repaired in 
accordance with Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions in the 
ASB.
    (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 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.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The visual inspection, repair or replacement of the fin, if 
necessary, and the identification of fins that have been repaired or 
replaced shall be done in accordance with Parts I, II, or III, as 
applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter 
Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-98-17, Revision A, dated June 
26, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 2, 1999.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-98-10R1, dated August 20, 1998.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 18, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27790 Filed 10-27-99; 8:45 am]
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