[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35869-35871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14195]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-03-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD-900 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD-900 
helicopters. The AD would require modifying the non-rotating swashplate 
assembly and re-identifying it and the swashplate assembly with a new 
part number (P/N). The AD would also require creating a component 
history card or equivalent record to track the life of the newly 
identified non-rotating swashplate assembly and establishing a life 
limit of 1800 hours time-in-service (TIS). In addition, the AD would 
require inspecting and modifying, if necessary, the longitudinal drive 
link assembly. This proposal is prompted by reports of damage to the 
longitudinal drive link assembly caused by the sharp inner edge of the 
bushing in the non-rotating swashplate assembly. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent damage to the longitudinal 
drive link, loss of control of the main rotor system, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-03-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically 
to the Rules Docket at the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments may be inspected at the Office of the Regional Counsel between 
9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

[[Page 35870]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg DiLibero, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe 
Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 
(562) 627-5231, fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2000-SW-03-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-03-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    This document proposes the adoption of a new AD for MDHI Model MD-
900 helicopters, serial numbers 0008 through 0068. The AD would require 
modifying the non-rotating swashplate and re-identifying it and the 
swashplate assembly with a new P/N. The AD would also require creating 
or modifying the existing component history card or equivalent record 
to track the life of the newly identified non-rotating swashplate 
assembly and establishing a life limit of 1800 hours TIS. In addition, 
the AD would require inspecting and modifying, if necessary, the 
longitudinal drive link assembly. This proposal is prompted by reports 
of damage to the longitudinal drive link assembly. The damage is caused 
by the small clearance between the non-rotating swashplate bushing and 
the longitudinal drive link combined with the sharp outer edges of the 
non-rotating swashplate bushing. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in damage to the longitudinal drive link, loss of control 
of the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    The FAA has reviewed MDHI Service Bulletin SB900-071, dated January 
10, 2000 (SB), which describes procedures for reworking of the bushing 
in the non-rotating swashplate assembly, re-identifying the swashplate 
and the non-rotating swashplate assemblies, and inspecting and 
repairing the longitudinal drive link assembly.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other MDHI Model MD-900 helicopters of the same 
type design, the proposed AD would require the following:

 Within the next 100 hours TIS or 3 months, whichever occurs 
first,
 Modify the non-rotating swashplate assembly, P/N 900C2010192-
111 and reidentify as P/N 900C2010192-113 after modification;
 Re-identify swashplate assembly, P/N 900C1010004-125, as P/N 
900C1010004-127;
 Create or modify the existing component history card or 
equivalent record to track the life of the newly identified non-
rotating swashplate assembly, P/N 900C2010192-113, including the hours 
TIS accumulated when it was identified as P/N 900C2010192-111;
 Visually and dye-penetrant inspect and modify, if necessary, 
the longitudinal drive link assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101.
 Establish a life limit of 1800 hours TIS for the non-rotating 
swashplate assembly, P/N 900C2010192-113.

The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
SB described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 28 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $1164 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$35,952.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

MD Helicopters Inc.: Docket No. 2000-SW-03-AD

    Applicability: Model MD-900 helicopters, serial numbers 0008 
through 0068, 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

[[Page 35871]]

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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent damage to the longitudinal drive link, loss of 
control of the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, 
whichever occurs first:
    (1) Modify the non-rotating swashplate assembly, part number (P/
N) 900C2010192-111, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 2.A.(1). and 2.A.(2)., of MD Helicopters 
(MDHI) Service Bulletin SB900-071, dated January 10, 2000 (SB).
    (2) Re-identify swashplate assembly, P/N 900C1010004-125, as P/N 
900C1010004-127, and non-rotating swashplate assembly, P/N 
900C2010192-111, as P/N 900C2010192-113 using contrasting color 
permanent ink. When the ink is dry, apply varnish over the P/N.
    (3) Create or modify the existing component history card or 
equivalent record to track the life of the non-rotating swashplate 
assembly, P/N 900C2010192-113. Include the hours TIS accumulated 
when 
P/N 900C2010192-113 was identified as P/N 900C2010192-111.
    (4) Visually and dye-penetrant inspect the longitudinal drive 
link assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101, for gouging and cracking in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(1). 
and 2.B.(2). of the SB except that returning scrap parts to MDHI is 
not required by this AD.
    (i) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace the 
longitudinal drive link assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101, with an 
airworthy longitudinal drive link assembly.
    (ii) If gouging is found, modify the longitudinal drive link 
assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(3). of the SB.
    (b) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
applicable maintenance manual by establishing a retirement life of 
1800 hours TIS for the non-rotating swashplate assembly, P/N 
900C2010192-113.
    (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, 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.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 25, 2000.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14195 Filed 6-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U