[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10938-10939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4795]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-54-AD; Amendment 39-11604; AD 2000-04-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc. Model MD600N 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model MD600N helicopters, that 
requires inspecting each internal fuel hose connection to verify proper 
installation. This amendment is prompted by the discovery that certain 
fuel hose connections between the fuel cells and the engine can be 
incorrectly installed. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent fuel starvation of the engine while the fuel gage indicates 
fuel remaining in the

[[Page 10939]]

tank, engine flameout, and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Effective April 5, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 5, 2000.

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, fax 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: Elizabeth Bumann, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (310) 627-5265; fax (310) 
627-5210.

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 MDHI Model MD600N helicopters was 
published in the Federal Register on December 8, 1999 (64 FR 68646). 
That action proposed to require inspecting each internal fuel hose 
connection to verify proper installation.
    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 40 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 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 $19,200.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-04-21  MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-11604. Docket No. 
99-SW-54-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD600N helicopters, serial numbers with a 
prefix of ``RN'' 003 through 045, 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 (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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fuel starvation of the engine while the fuel gage 
indicates fuel remaining in the tank, engine flameout, and a 
subsequent forced landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 hours time-in-service, verify that the internal 
fuel hose connections have been properly installed in accordance 
with either Method A or Method B of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB 600N-025, dated July 2, 1999. 
Prior to further flight, make any necessary corrections.
    (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, 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 2: 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The inspections shall be done in accordance with either 
Method A or Method B of the Accomplishment Instructions of MD 
Helicopters Service Bulletin SB 600N-025, dated July 2, 1999. 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 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, fax 
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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 5, 2000.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 22, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-4795 Filed 2-29-00; 8:45 am]
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