[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59377-59378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29595]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
427 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 427 helicopters. 
This proposal would require modifying each auxiliary fin (fin) by 
relocating the upper tuning weights to a lower position. This proposal 
is prompted by several incidents of main rotor blades contacting the 
top of the fin. The upper tuning weights are located such that a main 
rotor contact with the fin may result in an upper tuning weight 
(weight) becoming loose. The actions specified by this proposed AD are 
intended to prevent loss of a weight, impact with a tail or main rotor 
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-SW-43-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: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, 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. 2001-SW-43-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-43-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 427 
helicopters. Transport Canada advises of several ground incidents of 
main rotor blades contacting the top portion of a fin. Such incidents 
occurred on helicopters with an internal gross weight capability of 
6,350 lbs. and the larger auxiliary fin assemblies.
    BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin 427-01-1, dated April 19, 
2001 (ASB), which specifies relocating the weights on the fins to a 
lower position.

[[Page 59378]]

Transport Canada classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-
2001-25R1, dated August 22, 2001, as an interim measure to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada. The contact 
between the main rotor blades and the top portion of a fin will be 
addressed by separate AD action.
    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 the 
applicable 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 427 helicopters of the same type design 
registered in the United States. Therefore, the proposed AD would 
require modifying the fins, part number (P/N) 427-035-836-101 and 427-
035-836-102, to relocate the weights, P/N 407-023-003-145. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the ASB 
described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 22 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 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 $134 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$8,228.
    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. 2001-SW-43-AD.

    Applicability: Model 427 helicopters, serial numbers 56001, 
56003, 56004, 56006 through 56024, with auxiliary fin assemblies, 
part number (P/N) 427-035-836-101 and -102, 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 60 days after the effective date of 
this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent loss of an upper tuning weight (weight), P/N 407-023-
003-145, impact with a tail or main rotor blade, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the right and left auxiliary fins to relocate the 
weights in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 1 through 16, of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Alert 
Service Bulletin 427-01-1, dated April 19, 2001.
    (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 CF-2001-25R1, dated August 22, 2001.



    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 20, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29595 Filed 11-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U