[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 203 (Monday, October 21, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64571-64573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-01-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of 
Textron Canada Model 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 
and 206L-4 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, A Division of Textron Canada (BHT) 
Model 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters. This proposal would require performing a continuity test, 
and repairing temporarily any unairworthy chip detector, and replacing 
any repaired chip detectors. This proposal is prompted by reports of 
poor or no continuity between the insert and the chip detector housing 
on certain chip detectors. The actions specified by this proposed AD 
are intended to prevent

[[Page 64572]]

failure of a chip detector indication, loss of a critical component, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 20, 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-01-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: Jorge Castillo, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5127, 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-01-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 BHT Model 206A, 206A-1, 
206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. Transport 
Canada advises that Tedeco B3188B and B4093 chip detectors could 
possibly have poor or no continuity between the insert and the chip 
detector housing. This could result in no chip indication when the chip 
detector has been bridged by metal particles.
    Bell Helicopter Textron has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-
01-96, Revision A, and No. 206L-01-119, Revision A, both dated May 7, 
2001, which specify accomplishing the Eaton Tedeco Product Bulletins 
attached to their Alert Service Bulletin. The Eaton Tedeco Product 
Bulletins contain procedures for performing a continuity test and 
repair of chip detectors and replacing repaired chip detectors. 
Transport Canada classified these alert service bulletins as mandatory 
and issued AD No. CF-2001-33, dated August 24, 2001, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in Canada and are 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 these type 
designs 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 designs registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require performing a continuity test, 
repairing the chip detectors, and replacing repaired chip detectors. 
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
alert service bulletins and attached technical bulletin described 
previously. Repairing the chip detectors is intended to serve as an 
interim action until the repaired chip detectors are replaced.
    The FAA estimates that 2,262 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 0.5 work 
hours per helicopter to initially inspect the chip detectors, and 0.5 
work hours per helicopter to repair and ultimately replace any chip 
detectors that were previously temporarily repaired, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Cost of the chip detector is 
estimated to be $75. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $186,615, assuming 
half of the fleet will require repairing and replacing the chip 
detectors. The chip detector manufacturer has stated that it may 
provide reworked or replacement parts at no charge at its discretion.
    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, A Division of Textron Canada: Docket No. 
2002-SW-01-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 
206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability

[[Page 64573]]

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 (d) 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 a chip detector indication, loss of a 
critical component, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) For Model 206A, 206A-1, 206B, and 206B-1 helicopters, within 
60 days, perform a continuity test and repair the Eaton Tedeco chip 
detector (chip detector), part number (P/N) B3188B, installed in the 
transmission bottom case, in accordance with the ``Test Procedure'', 
Procedure B, and the ``Repair Instructions'' portions of the Tedeco 
Products Alert Service attached to Bell Helicopter Textron (BHT) 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-01-96, Revision A, dated May 7, 
2001.
    (b) For 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters:
    (1) Within 60 days, perform a continuity test on, and also 
repair, the chip detector, P/N B3188B, installed in the transmission 
bottom case found on transmission assemblies, P/N 206-040-004-003, 
206-040-004-005, 206-040-004-101, 206-040-004-107, 206-040-004-111, 
or 206-040-004-115, in accordance with the ``Test Procedure'', 
Procedure B, and the ``Repair Instructions'' portions of the Tedeco 
Products Alert Service Bulletin for affected P/N B3188B chip 
detectors, attached to BHT ASB No. 206L-01-119, Revision A, dated 
May 7, 2001.
    (2) Within 60 days, perform a continuity test and repair the 
chip detector, P/N B4093, installed in the transmission top case 
found on transmission assemblies, P/N 206-040-004-003, 206-040-004-
005, 206-040-004-101, or 206-040-004-111, in accordance with the 
``Test Procedure'', Procedure B, and the ``Repair Instructions'' 
portion of the Tedeco Products Alert Service Bulletin for the 
affected P/N B4093 chip detectors, attached to BHT ASB No. 206L-01-
119, Revision A, dated May 7, 2001.
    (c) Within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) after any chip 
detector is repaired, replace the chip detector with a reworked or 
new production airworthy chip detector.
    (d) 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 Office.

    (e) Special flight permits will not be issued.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-2001-33, dated August 24, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 10, 2002.
Larry M. Kelly,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26666 Filed 10-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P