[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70001-70003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29156]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-26-AD; Amendment 39-12947; AD 2002-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 helicopters that requires 
inspecting and, if necessary, repairing the longitudinal drive link 
(drive link) and modifying certain nonrotating swashplate (swashplate) 
assemblies. This AD also requires recording compliance with the AD on a 
component history card or equivalent record. This amendment is prompted 
by reports of damage to the drive link assembly caused by the sharp 
inner edge of the bushing in the swashplate assembly. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to the drive link, 
loss of control of the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

[[Page 70002]]


DATES: Effective December 26, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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: Jon Mowery, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5322, 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for certain MDHI Model MD900 helicopters was published in 
the Federal Register on May 29, 2002 (67 FR 37356). That action 
proposed to require modifying each swashplate assembly, part number (P/
N) 900C2010192-105, -107, and -109. That action also proposed dye-
penetrant inspecting for gouging and cracking and, if necessary, 
repairing the drive link assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101. Recording 
compliance with the AD on the component history card or equivalent 
record was also proposed.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed with minor changes in paragraph (b) 
and Note 2 to further clarify that the dye-penetrant inspection 
required after modifying the nonrotating swashplate is required before 
further flight. The dye-penetrant inspection is required whether the 
drive-link assembly has been dye-penetrant inspected previously. These 
changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor 
increase the scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 28 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, that it will take approximately 2 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 $1164 per 
helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $35,952.
    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, 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:

2002-23-03 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-12947. Docket No. 
2001-SW-26-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD900 helicopters, serial numbers 0008 
through 0068, 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 (e) 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.
    To prevent damage to the longitudinal drive link (drive link), 
loss of control of the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, 
whichever occurs first, unless previously accomplished, modify the 
nonrotating swashplate assembly, part number (P/N) 900C2010192-105, 
-107, or -109, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 2.A.(1). and 2.A.(2)., of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin 
SB900-078, dated April 23, 2001 (SB).
    (b) After modifying the nonrotating swashplate assembly, P/N 
900C2010192-105, -107 or -109, in accordance with paragraph (a) of 
this AD, before further flight, dye-penetrant inspect the drive link 
assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101, for gouging or cracking in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(1). and 
2.B.(2). of the SB, except that returning cracked parts to MDHI is 
not required by this AD.
    (1) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace the 
drive link assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101, with an airworthy drive 
link assembly.
    (2) If gouging is found without a crack, before further flight, 
rework the drive link assembly, P/N 900C2010212-101, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(3). of the SB.

    Note 2: Even if you have previously dye-penetrant inspected the 
drive link assembly, you must accomplish the inspection required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD after modifying the swashplate assembly in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

    (c) Record compliance with this AD on the component history card 
or equivalent record for the nonrotating swashplate assembly.
    (d) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraphs (a) and (b) 
of this AD is terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
    (e) 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. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then 
send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.


[[Page 70003]]


    (f) 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.
    (g) The inspection and modification shall be done in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A.(1)., 2.A.(2)., 
2.B.(1)., 2.B.(2)., and 2.B.(3). of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin 
SB900-078, dated April 23, 2001 (SB). 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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on December 26, 2002.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 6, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29156 Filed 11-19-02; 8:45 am]
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