[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60205-60206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20680]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21725; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-45-AD; 
Amendment 39-14342; AD 2005-21-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 47D1, 
47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-
3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Model 
OH-13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, 6C) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 47D1, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-
1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 
47G-5A and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Model OH-13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, 
6C) helicopters that have a certain scissors assembly or weld assembly 
scissors bracket installed. The AD requires, within 60 days, 
determining and recording the total hours time-in-service (TIS) for 
each Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA)-produced scissors assembly and 
weld assembly scissors bracket and establishes a life limit for each 
affected part. This amendment is prompted by the need to establish a 
life limit on scissors assemblies and weld assembly scissors brackets 
produced under PMA No. PQ808SW or installed per Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) No. SH2772SW. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to establish a life limit to prevent using a scissors assembly 
or weld assembly scissors bracket past it's life limit, which could 
result in failure of the part and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 21, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Texas Helicopter Co., Inc., P.O. Box 177686, Irving, Texas 75017, 
phone (972) 399-1045, fax (972) 790-6397.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and 
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the 
Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5177, fax (817) 222-
5783.

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 July 6, 2005 (70 FR 38817). That action proposed to 
require, within 60 days, determining and recording the total hours TIS 
for each PMA-produced scissors assembly and weld assembly scissors 
bracket and establishing a life limit for each affected part.
    We have reviewed Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. (THC) Service Bulletin 
No. SB 003, dated December 1, 2002. THC holds STC No. SH2772SW and 
produces parts under PMA No. PQ808SW. That service bulletin was issued 
to clarify maintenance inspections and retirement schedules. The 
service bulletin specifies maintaining Bell Model 47 series and all 
other helicopters utilizing a 74-150-259-1M or 74-150-259-3M control 
installation per STC SH2772SW or 74-150-117-13M scissors bracket weld 
assembly as PMA replacement, in accordance with THC Instructions For 
Continued Airworthiness (ICA), Doc. No. THC 2002-22 Rev. 0, dated 
December 1, 2002. Those ICAs refer to STC SH2772SW and contain the 
mandatory retirement times for the scissor assembly and weld assembly 
scissors bracket in the Airworthiness Limitations section.
    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.
    Based on the manufacturer's production estimate, this AD will 
affect 350 helicopters of U.S. registry. Determining and recording the 
initial hours TIS of each scissors assembly will take 1 hour, replacing 
a scissors assembly will take 2 hours, and replacing a weld assembly 
scissors bracket will take 8 hours. The average labor rate is $65 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,300 for the 2 
scissors assemblies required per helicopter and $2,500 for each weld 
assembly scissors bracket required per helicopter. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
$1,580,250, assuming all operators determine and record the hours TIS 
once, and replace the scissors assembly and weld assembly scissors 
bracket once.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

[[Page 60206]]

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:

2005-21-04 Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) and Coastal Helicopters, 
Inc. (CHI) (formerly Continental Copters, Inc.; and Tom-Cat 
Helicopters, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2005-21725; Amendment No. 39-
14342; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-45-AD.

    Applicability: The following helicopter models with the 
referenced Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. (THC) scissors assembly part 
number (P/N) or weld assembly scissors bracket P/N installed as a 
Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) replacement part or as part of the 
modification in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
No. SH2772SW, certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  With scissors       Or weld assembly
            Model                 assembly P/N      scissors bracket P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Bell Model 47D1, 47G,     74-150-949-9 or 74-   74-150-117-13M.
 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1,      150-949-5 or 74-150-
 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1,      249-5M.
 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4,
 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A; and
(2) CHI OH-13H (Tomcat Mark
 5A, 6B, or 6C).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent using a scissors assembly or weld assembly scissors 
bracket past it's life limit, which could result in failure of the 
part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 60 days, determine and record on the service record 
or equivalent record the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of each 
affected part. If the TIS hours cannot be determined, replace the 
part with an airworthy part with known hours TIS before further 
flight.
    (b) Thereafter, replace each affected part before it accumulates 
5,000 hours TIS.

    Note: Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. Service Bulletin No. SB 003, 
dated December 1, 2002, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (c) This AD establishes a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for each 
affected PMA-produced scissors assembly and each affected PMA-
produced weld assembly scissors bracket.
    (d) 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 Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, for information about previously approved alternative methods 
of compliance.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 21, 2005.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20680 Filed 10-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P