[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51149-51150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21521]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 165 / Tuesday, August 26, 2003 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 51149]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-04-AD; Amendment 39-13264; AD 2003-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc., Model 600N 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) model helicopters that 
requires reducing the life limit of the main rotor drive shaft (drive 
shaft) and changing the life limit on the component history card or 
equivalent record. This amendment is prompted by the review of final 
fatigue test data, which indicates that the life limit of the drive 
shaft should be reduced by 2000 hours time-in-service (TIS). The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
drive shaft, loss of drive of the main rotor system, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 30, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Propulsion Branch, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5264, 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on May 19, 2003 (68 FR 27006). That action proposed 
reducing the life limit of the drive shaft from 16,000 hours TIS to 
14,000 hours TIS and revising the component history card or an 
equivalent record to reflect the reduced life limit.
    MDHI has issued Service Bulletin SB600N-033, dated December 13, 
2001, which specifies reducing the life limit of the drive shaft at the 
next scheduled maintenance or within 1 year, whichever occurs first.
    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.
    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. The 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. However, 
for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we have retained the 
language of the NPRM regarding that material.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 46 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and it will take approximately .5 work hour per helicopter to 
update the records at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $1,495.
    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 FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2003-16-11 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-13264. Docket No. 
2003-SW-04-AD.

    Applicability: Model 600N, with main rotor drive shaft assembly 
(drive shaft), part number (P/N) 600N5510-1, 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 (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 within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), 
unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the drive shaft, loss of drive to the main 
rotor hub, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Revise the component history card or equivalent record for 
drive shaft, P/N 600N5510-1, by changing the life limit from 16,000 
to 14,000 hours TIS. Before further flight, replace any drive shaft 
that has 14,000 or more hours TIS with an airworthy drive shaft.

[[Page 51150]]

    (b) This AD revises the Limitations section of the maintenance 
manual by reducing the life limit of the drive shaft, P/N 600N5510-
1, to 14,000 hours TIS.
    (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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (LAACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through 
an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment 
and then send it to the Manager, LAACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the LAACO.

    (d) 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 30, 2003.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 5, 2003.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21521 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
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