[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6383-6385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3030]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
222, 222B, and 222U 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 the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) 
helicopters. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the 
adjustable stop screws of the magnetic brake assembly; repairing, as 
appropriate, certain mechanical damage to the cyclic and collective 
flight control magnetic brake arm assembly (arm assembly), if 
necessary; and installing the stop screw with the proper adhesive, 
adjusting the arm assembly travel and applying slippage marks. This 
proposal is prompted by reports that the magnetic brake adjustable 
screws have backed out, which limited travel of the arm assembly. The 
actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect loose 
adjustable stop screws, that could result in limiting the travel of the 
cyclic and collective arm assembly, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-SW-27-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: Charles Harrison, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5128, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 6384]]

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-27-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 222, 222B, and 
222U helicopters with Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) kits, part number 
(P/N) 222-706-013, installed, and all delivered spare magnetic brakes, 
P/N 222-706-013, manufactured by Memcor Truohm, Inc., under P/N MP 498-
3. Transport Canada advises that the stop screws, P/N MS51959-3, of the 
magnetic brake, P/N 204-001-376-003 (Memcor Truohm P/N MP 498-3), were 
installed without the proper adhesive.
    Bell has issued Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. 222-01-87, for Model 222 and 222B helicopters, and ASB No. 
222U-01-58, for Model 222U helicopters, both dated January 19, 2001. 
Both ASB's specify a one-time inspection of the magnetic brake 
adjustable stop screw, P/N M551959-3; repairing any arm assembly 
mechanical damage created by the screws; and installing the stop screw 
with the proper adhesive and adjusting the arm assembly shaft travel. 
Transport Canada classified these ASB's as mandatory and issued AD No. 
CF-2002-17, dated March 4, 2002, 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 these same type designs registered in the United States. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting the adjustable stop 
screws of the magnetic brake assembly to ensure they are installed 
correctly; repairing the arm assembly, if necessary; installing the 
stop screw with the proper adhesive; adjusting the arm assembly travel; 
and applying slippage marks. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the ASB's described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 92 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $3,785. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $364,780, assuming 
all parts are replaced.
    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-27-AD.

    Applicability: Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters, with a 
magnetic brake, part number (P/N) 204-001-376-105 or 107, installed, 
that was manufactured by Memcor Truohm, Inc. as P/N MP498-105 or -
107, 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 within 100 hours time in service and before 
installation of any affected magnetic brake, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect loose adjustable stop screws, that could result in 
limiting the travel of the cyclic and collective arm assembly, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter:
    (a) Inspect and, if necessary, repair, adjust, and apply 
slippage marks to the magnetic brake assembly in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 5. through 11. in Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 222-01-87, 
applicable to Model 222 and 222B helicopters, or ASB No. 222U-01-58, 
applicable to Model 222U helicopters, both dated January 19, 2001, 
except if damage to

[[Page 6385]]

the arm assembly exceeds 0.030 inch (0.762 mm), replace the magnetic 
brake assembly with an airworthy magnetic brake assembly. Contacting 
the manufacturer is not required.
    (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-2002-17, dated March 4, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 29, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3030 Filed 2-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P