[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12071-12072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5008]



[[Page 12071]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-70-AD; Amendment 39-11608; AD 2000-04-25]
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 modifying the 
door latch assemblies on all four crew and passenger doors. This 
amendment is prompted by an incident that occurred during a 
manufacturer's flight test, in which a door latch assembly broke, 
preventing occupants in the helicopter from opening the door. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a door latch rod 
assembly from disengaging from the door handle and preventing 
helicopter occupants from opening the door.

DATES: Effective April 12, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 12, 2000.

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: Sharon Miles, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that is 
applicable to BHTC Model 407 helicopters was published in the Federal 
Register on December 16, 1999 (64 FR 70201). That action proposed to 
require modifying the door latch assemblies on all four crew and 
passenger doors.
    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 146 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the modification, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $210. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $83,220.
    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 2000-04-25  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11068. 
Docket No. 98-SW-70-AD.

    Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 
through 53228, with door latch assemblies, part number (P/N) 20898-
401, -402, -405, and -406, 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 (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 100 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent a door latch rod assembly from disengaging from the 
door handle and preventing helicopter occupants from opening the 
door, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify each door latch assembly, P/N 20898-401, -402, -405, 
and -406, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-98-18, dated May 
27, 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, Regulations Group, 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, Regulations Group.


    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.


    (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 modification shall be done in accordance with Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-98-18, dated May 
27, 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,

[[Page 12072]]

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 12, 2000.


    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-98-19, dated July 28, 1998.



    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 24, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5008 Filed 3-7-00; 8:45 am]
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