[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52072-52073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25695]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-21-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
430 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 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 
helicopters. This proposal would require changes to the electrical 
power distribution system. This proposal is prompted by design 
deficiencies in the electrical systems. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of both generators, loss of 
primary electrical power, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 11, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-21-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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McCallister, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5121, 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, 
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. 2001-SW-21-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. 2001-SW-21-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified 
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on BHTC Model 430 
helicopters. Transport Canada advises that the electrical system has a 
potential for single fault multiple system failures and does not comply 
with regulatory requirements for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or for 
Category A design. Transport Canada issued AD No. CF-2000-32R1, dated 
May 28, 2001, that mandated certain revisions to the Rotorcraft Flight 
Manual (RFM) to safely cope with this type of electrical failure.
    BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 430-01-19, dated 
February 22, 2001, which specifies certain modifications to improve the 
electrical system for BHTC Model 430 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 
49001 through 49069.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
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.
    We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on other BHTC Model 430 helicopters of the same type design 
registered in the United States. Therefore, the proposed AD would 
require, before further flight after March 31, 2002, accomplishing the 
electrical power distribution system changes in accordance with BHTC 
ASB No. 430-01-19, dated February 22, 2001, which is terminating action 
for the requirements of this AD.
    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 33 helicopters 
of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates that that it would take 
approximately 48 work hours per helicopter to accomplish the changes to 
the electrical system. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The 
manufacturer states in the ASB that the parts will be provided at no 
cost before March 31, 2002. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $95,040.
    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

[[Page 52073]]

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 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. 2001-SW-21-AD.

    Applicability: Model 430 helicopters, serial numbers 49002 
through 49071, 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 failure of both generators, loss of primary 
electrical power, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Before further flight after March 31, 2002, perform the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1 through 124, of Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin No 430-01-19, dated 
February 22, 2001, which is terminating action for the requirements 
of this AD.
    (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 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-2000-32R1, dated May 28, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 3, 2001.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-25695 Filed 10-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P