[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61771-61773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24993]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-41-AD; Amendment 39-12895; AD 2002-20-01
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; 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 Model SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 Helicopters, 
Manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. for the Armed Forces of 
the United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the

[[Page 61772]]

specified military surplus helicopters that requires updating the 
product identification, extending the application of the AD to other 
models, continuing the existing retirement time for certain main rotor 
tension-torsion (TT) straps, and adding the TT strap part numbers to 
the applicability. This amendment is prompted by the need to expand the 
applicability to additional military surplus helicopters and to add two 
part numbers to the applicability. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of a TT strap, loss of a main rotor blade, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 6, 2002.

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: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for 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 Model 
SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on April 10, 2002 (67 FR 17305). That action proposed 
updating the product identification, extending the application of the 
AD to other models, continuing the existing retirement time for certain 
TT straps, and adding the TT strap part numbers to the applicability 
for the specified military surplus helicopters.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter states that Model AH-1 series helicopter should be 
added to the applicability section of the AD, because Model AH-1 series 
helicopters are currently being operated in experimental and restricted 
categories, and have identical TT straps as the HH-1K and UH-1L 
helicopter that are included in the applicability of the AD. The 
commenter also states that the FAA should evaluate TT strap, part 
number 204-310-101-101, because ``this current production TT strap is 
life-limited * * * to 1,200 hours of operation or a calendar time of 
two years'' when installed on standard category type certificated Bell 
products.
    The FAA concurs, however the intent of AD's, Docket Numbers 2001-
SW-41-AD and 2001-SW-42-AD, was to update the model applicability and 
type certificate holders of AD 80-17-09 for the Model UH-1 military 
surplus helicopters. If we were to add the additional helicopter models 
or part numbers as proposed by the commenter, we would need to issue a 
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. To avoid further delay in 
the effectivity of the published proposals, we are issuing this final 
rule as proposed. The comments suggesting an expansion of these AD 
provisions to additional model helicopters and TT strap part numbers 
will be further evaluated and may be incorporated into a subsequent AD.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 75 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$10,484 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $822,300.
    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 location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2002-20-01 Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. (previously Utah State 
University); Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services (previously 
Erickson Air-Crane Co.); Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Global 
Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC (previously 
Western International Aviation, Inc.); Hawkins and Powers Aviation, 
Inc.; International Helicopters, Inc.; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; 
Smith Helicopters; Southern Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida 
Aviation; Tamarack Helicopters, Inc. (previously Ranger Helicopter 
Services, Inc.); U.S. Helicopter, Inc.; and Williams Helicopter 
Corporation (previously Scott Paper Co.): Amendment 39-12895. Docket 
No. 2001-SW-41-AD.

    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 Model 
SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, manufactured by 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) for the Armed Forces of the 
United States, with main rotor tension-torsion (TT) strap, part 
number (P/N) 204-012-122-1, 204-012-122-5, 2601399, or 2606650, 
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 before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of a TT strap, loss of a main rotor blade, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Remove and replace any TT strap with 1,200 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or 24 months since the initial installation, whichever 
occurs first.
    (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

[[Page 61773]]

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 will not be issued.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on November 6, 2002.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 18, 2002.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-24993 Filed 10-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P