[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14865-14867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6287]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 
Model 407 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to BHTC Model 407 helicopters. This 
proposal would require replacing certain cockpit warning horns. This 
proposal is prompted by reports that pilots have had difficulty in 
distinguishing between the FADEC Fail horn, the Engine Out horn, and 
the Low Rotor RPM horn. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to assist the pilot in properly identifying a specific cockpit 
warning horn (horn) and prevent an inappropriate pilot response to a 
horn, which could cause an engine overspeed and subsequent uncommanded 
reduction to flight-idle engine power.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-06-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas. 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 
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

[[Page 14866]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Regulations Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

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 document 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 proposal must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 99-SW-06-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. 99-SW-06-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on BHTC Model 407 
helicopters. Transport Canada advises that there is a need for the 
sound of the FADEC Fail horn to be distinct, and for the Engine Out and 
Low Rotor RPM horns to be louder.
    BHTC has issued Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
407-97-12, dated October 7, 1997, which specifies replacing the horns. 
Transport Canada classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued AD No. CF-98-13, effective August 7, 1998, in order to assure 
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, 
and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type 
design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other BHTC Model 407 helicopters of the same type 
design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require 
replacing the FADEC Fail horn, the Engine Out horn, and the Low Rotor 
RPM horn. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 200 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2.5 work 
hours per helicopter to replace the horns, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately 
$154. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60,800 to replace the horns in 
all the fleet.
    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:

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Docket No. 99-SW-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 
through 53194, 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 90 calendar days, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To assist the pilot in properly identifying a specific warning 
horn (horn) and prevent an inappropriate pilot response to a horn, 
which could cause an engine overspeed and subsequent uncommanded 
reduction to flight-idle engine power, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove and replace the following horns and install the 
specified terminal junctions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
407-97-12, dated October 7, 1997:

[[Page 14867]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Current Part      Replacement Part
            Part Name                    Number              Number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FADEC Fail Horn..................  SC648S              VSB628CP
Low Rotor RPM Horn...............  SC628               SC628N
Engine Out Horn..................  SC628P              SC628NP
Terminal Junction (2)............                      M81714/65-22-11
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 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, Rotorcraft Regulations 
Group.

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

    (c) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-98-13, effective August 7, 1998.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 5, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-6287 Filed 3-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P