[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2318-2320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1054]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-56-AD; Amendment 39-12601; AD 2001-25-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001-25-51, which was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of MD Helicopters, 
Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 helicopters by individual letters. This AD 
requires performing a dual power confirmation test on the Integrated 
Instrument Display System (IIDS) and inserting a revision to the 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), as applicable. If the IIDS fails the 
power test, replacing it is required before further flight. Removing 
the temporary revision when the IIDS is replaced and inserting the 
applicable revision into the RFM is also required. This AD is prompted 
by the failure of the IIDS during a helicopter hover operation. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent total power 
failure of the IIDS and the subsequent inability to monitor information 
and warning indications essential for the operation of the helicopter.

[[Page 2319]]


DATES: Effective February 1, 2002, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2001-25-51, 
issued on December 7, 2001, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 1, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 18, 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-56-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].
    The applicable service information may be obtained from MD 
Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell 
Rd., Mail Stop M615-GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-
388-3378, fax 480-891-6782, or on the web at www.mdhelicopters.com. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guy Dalla Riva, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Propulsion 
Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 
(562) 627-5248, fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 7, 2001, the FAA issued 
Emergency AD 2001-25-51 for MDHI Model MD900 helicopters, which 
requires performing a dual power confirmation test on the IIDS and 
inserting a revision to the RFM, as applicable. If the IIDS fails the 
power test, replacing it is required before further flight. Removing 
the temporary revision when the IIDS is replaced and inserting the 
applicable revision into the RFM is also required. That action was 
prompted by the failure of the IIDS during a helicopter hover 
operation. The failure was attributed to an error in the manufacturing 
process and a design deficiency. Failure of the IIDS, if not corrected, 
could result in the inability to monitor information and warning 
indications essential for the operation of the helicopter.
    The FAA has reviewed MDHI Service Bulletin SB900-081R1, dated 
November 8, 2001 (SB), which describes procedures for inspecting and 
replacing the IIDS and inserting revisions into the RFM.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other MDHI MD900 helicopters of the same type design, the FAA issued 
Emergency AD 2001-25-51 to prevent total power failure of the IIDS and 
the subsequent inability to monitor information and warning indications 
essential for the operation of the helicopter. The AD requires the 
following within 10 days:
     Perform an IIDS dual power confirmation test.
     If the IIDS continues to operate after the dual power 
confirmation test, insert into the RFM the applicable TEMPORARY RFM 
revisions that state the pilot must ``land as soon as possible'' after 
an IIDS failure.
     If the IIDS does not continue to operate, replace it with 
a specified IIDS before further flight. Insert into the RFM the 
applicable RFM revision that states the pilot must ``land as soon as 
practical'' after total power failure of the IIDS.
     Remove the TEMPORARY RFM revisions when the IIDS is 
replaced in accordance with this AD, and insert the applicable RFM 
revision into the RFM.
    The actions must be accomplished in accordance with the SB 
described previously. The short compliance time involved is required 
because the previously described critical unsafe condition can 
adversely affect the controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, the 
actions previously described are required as indicated, and this AD 
must be issued immediately.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on December 7, 2001 to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
MDHI Model MD900 helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the AD 
is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to 14 CFR 
39.13 to make it effective to all persons.
    The FAA estimates that 53 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 1 work hour per 
helicopter to perform the dual power confirmation test and 1 work hour 
to replace the IIDS, if necessary. The manufacturer has stated in the 
SB that they will provide replacement IIDS at no cost. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $6360, assuming that the IIDS is replaced on each helicopter.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A 
report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the 
substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed 
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-SW-56-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT

[[Page 2320]]

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If 
it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2001-25-51  MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-12601. Docket No. 
2001-SW-56-AD.
    Applicability: Model MD900 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 
900-00008 through 900-00107, with integrated instrument display 
system (IIDS), part number (P/N) 900A3720002-107, -109, -111, or -
113, 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 (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 within 10 days, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the IIDS and the subsequent inability to 
monitor information and warning indications essential for the 
operation of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Conduct a dual power confirmation test (power test) with 
external power ON or both generators on line in accordance with 
Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.(1), 2.B.(2), 
and 2.B.(3), of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-081R1, dated 
November 8, 2001.
    (1) If the IIDS continues to operate after the power test, 
insert into the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) the applicable 
TEMPORARY RFM revision stating that the pilot must ``land as soon as 
possible'' after an IIDS failure:
    (i) TR01-001, dated November 2, 2001, into RFM CSP-900RFM-1 
(Reissue 1), CSP-900ERFM-1, CSP-902RFM-1 (Reissue 1), or CSP-
902RFM207E-1; and
    (ii) TR01-002, dated November 28, 2001, into RFM CSP-902RFM-1 
(Reissue 1), or CSP-902RFM207E-1.
    (2) If the IIDS does not continue to operate after the power 
test, before further flight:
    (i) Replace IIDS, P/N 900A3720002-107 with 900A3720002-115; 
900A3720002-111 with 900A3720002-117; 900A3720002-109 with 
900A3720002-119; or 900A3720002-113 with 900A3720002-121.
    (ii) Insert into the RFM the applicable RFM revision, dated 
November 2, 2001, stating that the pilot must ``land as soon as 
practical'' after an IIDS failure:
    (A) Revision 4 into RFM CSP-900RFM-1 (Reissue 1);
    (B) Revision 1 into CSP-900ERFM-1;
    (C) Revision 5 into CSP-902RFM-1 (Reissue 1); or
    (D) Revision 2 into CSP-902RFM207E-1.
    (b) After replacing the IIDS in accordance with this AD, before 
further flight, remove the TEMPORARY RFM revisions specified in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD if inserted into the RFM, and insert 
into the RFM the applicable RFM revision specified in paragraph 
(a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (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 (LAACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through 
an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment 
and then send it to the Manager, LAACO.

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

    (d) 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.
    (e) The power test shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.B.(1), 2.B.(2), and 
2.B.(3), of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-081R1, dated 
November 8, 2001. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from MD Helicopters 
Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail 
Stop M615-GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-388-3378, 
fax 480-891-6782, or on the web at www.mdhelicopters.com. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 1, 2002, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Emergency AD 2001-25-51, issued December 7, 2001, which 
contained the requirements of this amendment.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 9, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-1054 Filed 1-16-02; 8:45 am]
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