[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26325-26326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10745]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 92 / Wednesday, May 12, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 26325]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2004-SW-03-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
206L-1 and 206L-3 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. The AD 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 the 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 July 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-SW-03-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:

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. 2004-SW-03-AD.'' The postcard will be date 
stamped and returned to the commenter.

Discussion

    This document proposes adopting a new AD for Bell Model 206L-1 and 
206L-3 helicopters with Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) Kit, part number 
(P/N) 206-705-001, -101, or -103, installed, and all delivered spare 
magnetic brakes, P/N 204-001-376-003, manufactured by Memcor Truohm, 
Inc. (M.T. Inc.) as P/N MP 498-3, installed. The AD would require, 
within 100 hours time-in-service or within 90 days, whichever occurs 
first, and before installation of an affected magnetic brake, a one-
time inspection of the adjustable stop screws of the magnetic brake 
assembly; repairing, as appropriate, certain mechanical damage to the 
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 the 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.
    Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified 
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Bell Model 206L-1 and 
206L-3 helicopters with IFR Kit, P/N 206-705-001, -101, or -103, 
installed, and all delivered spare magnetic brakes, P/N 204-001-376-
003, manufactured by Memcor Truohm, Inc. as 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 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-01-122, dated 
October 3, 2001, which specifies a one-time inspection of the magnetic 
brake adjustable stop screw, P/N MS51959-3; 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 this alert service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued AD No. CF-2002-16, dated March 4, 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

[[Page 26326]]

type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
    This previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of the same type design registered in the 
United States. Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting the 
adjustable stop screws of the magnetic brake assembly, repairing 
certain mechanical damage to the arm assembly, and 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 alert service bulletin described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 577 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 $65 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 $298,500, assuming 
that 75 helicopters in the U.S. will require the actions described in 
this AD.
    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 economic 
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 Canada: Docket No. 2004-SW-03-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206L-1 and 206L-3 helicopters with 
Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) Kit, part number (P/N) 206-705-001, -
101, or -103, and a magnetic brake, P/N 204-001-376-003, 
manufactured by Memcor Truohm, Inc. (M.T. Inc.) as P/N MP 498-3, 
installed, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service or 90 
days, whichever occurs first, and before installation of any 
affected magnetic brake, unless accomplished previously.
    To detect loose adjustable stop screws, which could result in 
limiting the travel of the cyclic and collective arm assembly, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Inspect and, if necessary, repair, adjust, and apply 
slippage marks to the magnetic brake assembly by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 6. through 12., in Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-01-122, 
dated October 3, 2001, except if damage to 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) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
for information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-2002-16, dated March 4, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 3, 2004.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10745 Filed 5-11-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P