[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 202 (Friday, October 18, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64325-64326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26592]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-19-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
Model 427 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 427 
helicopters. This proposal would require replacing the hydraulic 
solenoid tee fitting (tee fitting) and tubes. This proposal is prompted 
by the manufacturer's discovery that tee fittings may be installed 
improperly and restrict hydraulic fluid flow. The actions specified by 
this proposed AD are intended to prevent restricted flow of hydraulic 
fluid to the flight control hydraulic actuators resulting in loss of 
hydraulic control, excessive stiffness in the flight controls, and a 
subsequent forced landing of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 17, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-SW-19-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: Uday Garadi, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5123, 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. 2002-SW-19-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified 
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Bell Model 427 
helicopters. Transport Canada advises that there is a possibility of 
installing the existing tee fitting in such a way that the hydraulic 
fluid flow will be significantly restricted. To preclude this 
possibility, Bell has designed a new tee fitting installation.
    Bell has issued Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
427-01-02, dated August 20, 2001, which specifies replacing the tee 
fitting. Transport Canada classified this alert service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued AD No. CF-2002-11, dated January 31, 2002, to 
ensure 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 
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.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require replacing certain tee fitting 
and tubes with an improved-designed tee fitting and tubes. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 31 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per helicopter to replace the tee fitting and tubes, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $527 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$18,197 to replace the tee fitting and tubes in the entire 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

[[Page 64326]]

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 Limited: Docket No. 2002-SW-19-AD.

    Applicability: Model 427 helicopters, serial numbers 56001 
through 56031, with hydraulic solenoid tee fitting, part number (P/
N) AS1003W060404, 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 at the next hydraulic filter and fluid 
replacement or within 30 days, whichever occurs first, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent restricted flow of hydraulic fluid to the flight 
control hydraulic actuators resulting in loss of hydraulic control, 
excessive stiffness in the flight controls, and a subsequent forced 
landing of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the hydraulic solenoid tee fitting (tee fitting), P/
N AS1003W060404, and tubes, P/Ns 427-080-058-101 and 427-080-003-
101, with union, P/N AS5230W0606, tee fitting, P/N NAS1763W060404, 
and tubes, P/Ns 427-080-069-101 and 427-080-068-101, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 427-01-02, dated August 20, 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-2002-11, dated January 31, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 10, 2002.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26592 Filed 10-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P