[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66611-66612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28437]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-11966; AD 2000-15-21 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.--
Manufactured Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-
1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, 
SW205, and SW205A-1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, 
UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, 
SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, manufactured by Bell 
Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) for the Armed Forces of the United 
States, and requires removing and replacing certain main rotor mast 
(mast) assemblies. This amendment corrects a part number that was 
published incorrectly in the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by 
the discovery of that error. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent fatigue failure of the mast and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 22, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5447, fax (817) 222-
5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AD 2000-15-21, Amendment 39-11854, 
applicable to Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, 
UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, 
SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, which were manufactured by BHTI for 
the Armed Forces of the United States, was published in the Federal 
Register on August 9, 2000 (65 FR 48605). That AD requires removing and 
replacing certain mast assemblies.
    After that AD was issued, the FAA discovered that the mast assembly 
part numbers listed in the applicability section are 205-011-450-001 
and -005; the correct mast assembly part numbers are 204-011-450-001 
and -005.
    The FAA has determined that this revision will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD, 
therefore, no additional comments were solicited and this AD is being 
issued with the same requirements previously imposed but with the 
correct part number.
    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 FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 39-11854 (65 FR 
48605, August 9, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2000-15-21 R1  Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services (Previously 
Erickson Air Crane Co.); Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Hawkins and 
Powers Aviation, Inc.; International Helicopters, Inc.; Tamarack 
Helicopters, Inc. (Previously Ranger Helicopter Services, Inc.); 
Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; Williams Helicopter Corporation 
(Previously Scott Paper Co.); Smith Helicopters; Southern 
Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida Aviation; Arrow Falcon 
(Previously Utah State University); Western International Aviation, 
Inc.; and U.S. Helicopter, Inc.: Amendment 39-11966. Docket No. 
2000-SW-01-AD. Revises AD 2000-15-21, Amendment 39-11854.

    Applicability: Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, 
UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation 
SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, manufactured by 
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) for the Armed Forces of the 
United States, with a main rotor mast (mast) assembly, part number 
(P/N) 204-011-450-001 or -005, 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 25 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent fatigue failure of the mast and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove any mast assembly, P/N 204-011-450-001 or -005, from 
service. Replace it with an airworthy mast assembly. Neither mast 
assembly, P/N 204-011-450-001 nor 204-011-450-005, is eligible for 
installation on any affected helicopter.
    (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, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
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, 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.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199

[[Page 66612]]

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) This amendment becomes effective on November 22, 2000.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 2000.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28437 Filed 11-7-00; 8:45 am]
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