[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12809-12812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6136]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-SW-54-AD; Amendment 39-13087; AD 2003-05-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
407 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing emergency airworthiness 
directive (EAD), which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and 
operators of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) helicopters by 
individual letters. That EAD requires a visual check to ensure that the 
two swashplate drive link cup washers (cup washers) are installed 
correctly. If a cup washer is installed incorrectly, removing and 
replacing the swashplate outer ring, each cup washer, bearing and 
liner, and drive link where the cup washer was installed incorrectly 
are also required. This amendment requires the same actions as the 
existing EAD, but clarifies that only the visual check may be performed 
by the owner/operator. This amendment is prompted by two reported 
failures of the stud portion of the swashplate drive link. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to detect an incorrectly installed 
cup washer, which could limit the travel of the swashplate outer ring 
and lead to failure of the stud portion of the swashplate drive link, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective April 2, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 2, 2003.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 19, 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-54-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].
    The applicable service information may be obtained from Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 
J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272. 
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: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 13, 2002, the FAA issued EAD 
2002-23-51 to require, before further flight, a visual check to ensure 
that the two cup washers are installed correctly. If either cup washer 
is installed incorrectly, removing and replacing the swashplate outer 
ring, each cup washer, bearing and liner, and drive link where the cup 
washer was installed incorrectly are also required. That action was 
prompted by two reported failures of the stud portion of the swashplate 
drive link. One or both cup washers may have been installed 
incorrectly. The requirements of that EAD are intended to detect an 
incorrectly installed cup washer, which could limit the travel of the 
swashplate outer ring and lead to failure of the stud portion of the 
swashplate drive link,

[[Page 12810]]

and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    Bell has issued Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
407-02-55, dated October 29, 2002, which describes procedures for a 
one-time visual check of both cup washers to ensure that they are 
correctly installed. The check must be accomplished before each flight. 
Transport Canada classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued AD No. CF-2002-46, dated November 6, 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.
    Since the issuance of that EAD, the FAA determined that the 
paragraphs in the AD should be restructured to clarify that only the 
visual check may be performed by an owner/operator.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Bell Model 407 helicopters of the same type 
design, this AD supersedes EAD 2002-23-51 to require the same actions 
as the existing EAD--a visual check of the two cup washers; if a cup 
washer is installed incorrectly, remove and replace the swashplate 
outer ring, part number (P/N) 406-010-411-117, each cup washer, P/N 
406-010-412-101, bearing and liner, P/N 406-010-417-101, and drive 
link, P/N 406-010-426-101, where the cup washer was installed 
incorrectly. This AD reorganizes the intended requirements of the 
existing EAD. The actions must be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously. The short compliance time 
involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe 
condition can adversely affect the controllability and structural 
integrity of the helicopter. Therefore, the visual check and 
replacements, if necessary, are required before further flight and this 
AD must be issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
    The FAA estimates that 294 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 0.5 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the visual checks and 12 work hours per 
helicopter to replace certain parts, as necessary, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$17,549 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,379,906.
    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 
(AD), Amendment 39-13087, to read as follows:

2003-05-11 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-13087.
    Docket No. 2002-SW-54-AD. Supersedes Emergency AD 2002-23-51, 
Docket No. 2002-SW-51-AD.

    Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 
through 53538, 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 (c) 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 detect an incorrectly installed swashplate drive link cup 
washer (cup washer), which could limit the travel of the swashplate 
outer ring and lead to failure of the stud portion of the swashplate 
drive link, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Visually check both cup washers, part number (P/N) 406-010-
412-101, for correct installation in accordance with Figure 1 of 
this AD. If both cup washers are installed correctly, no further 
action is required. This visual check may be performed by an owner/
operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate, and 
must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with 
this paragraph in accordance with sections 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v) 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR sections 43.11 and 
91.417(a)(2)(v)). See the following Figure 1:

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[[Page 12811]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR18MR03.112

    (b) If a cup washer is installed incorrectly, remove and replace 
the swashplate outer ring, each cup washer, bearing and liner, and 
drive link where the cup washer was installed incorrectly. Replace 
these parts in accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
407-02-55, dated October 29, 2002.

    Note 2: In Part II, step 3.a. of the alert service bulletin, the 
swashplate is incorrectly referenced as item 10 of Figure 1. The 
reference should state item 11.

    (c) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.


[[Page 12812]]


    (d) Special flight permits will not be issued.
    (e) The removals and replacements, if necessary, shall be done 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-02-55, dated 
October 29, 2002. 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 Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 
J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-
0272. Copies may be inspected at 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 2, 2003.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-2002-46, dated November 6, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 6, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6136 Filed 3-17-03; 8:45 am]
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