[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 82 (Monday, April 28, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22787-22789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8638]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25983; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-11-AD; 
Amendment 39-15463; AD 2008-08-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Series 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 series helicopters that 
requires modifying the pilot and co-pilot dual-control directional 
pedal assemblies, or the pilot single-control directional pedal 
assembly (directional control pedal assembly). This amendment is 
prompted by an accident which has been attributed to loss of 
directional control due to failure of the welds in the directional 
control pedal assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent fatigue cracking in the welds that connect the directional 
control pedal to the pedal shaft, resulting in loss of directional 
control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective June 2, 2008.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 2, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. 
McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-
800-388-3378, fax 480-346-6813, or on the Web at http://www.mdhelicopters.com.
    Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains this 
AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Docket Operations office, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Durbin, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe 
Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 
(562) 627-5233, 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 October 17, 2006 (71 FR 60927). That action 
proposed to require, for MDHI Model MD900 series helicopters, serial 
numbers (S/N) 900-00008 through 900-00111, 900-00113, and 900-00114, 
modifying the directional control pedal assembly, part number (P/N) 
900C1012007-107, -109, -111, -113, or 900C6012007-111 (pilot dual 
control); or P/N 900C1012207-105, -107, -109, -111, or -113 (co-pilot 
dual control); or P/N 900C1010007-107, -109, -111, -113, or 
900C6010007-111

[[Page 22788]]

(pilot single control), by removing the existing pedals, removing the 
welded pedal support plate from the pedal shafts, and installing a 
directional control pedal modification kit, P/N SBK-010. Ink stamping 
the P/N, 90005340111-101, on the pedal shaft of each modified 
directional control pedal assembly using permanent ink was also 
proposed.
    MDHI has issued Service Bulletin SB900-100, dated April 5, 2006, 
which describes procedures for modifying the directional control pedal 
assembly.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    The one commenter, the Modification and Replacement Parts 
Association, ``does not object to the TC holder provided modification 
kits provided at no cost to operators'' and states that ``Such action 
removes any incentive for the development of alternative parts under 14 
CFR 21.303.'' They also note that the cost impact stated in the AD is 
$61,650 per helicopter, but should correctly be stated as $61,650 for 
the entire U.S. fleet of MDHI MD900 helicopters. The FAA concurs and 
has corrected that error in this AD.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 30 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and the required actions will take approximately 8 work hours 
for helicopters with single pilot controls installed, or 16 work hours 
for helicopters with dual pilot and co-pilot controls installed, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $775 for helicopters with dual pilot and co-pilot 
controls installed. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $61,650 for the entire fleet, 
or $2,055 per helicopter, assuming that dual pilot and co-pilot 
controls are installed on the entire fleet and there is no warranty 
coverage.

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 AD docket 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

2008-08-11 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-15463. Docket No. FAA-
2006-25983; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-11-AD.

Applicability

    Model MD900 series helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 900-00008 
through 900-00111, 900-00113, and 900-00114, certificated in any 
category.

Compliance

    Required within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent fatigue cracking in the welds which connect the pilot 
and co-pilot dual-control, or pilot single-control directional 
control pedal (directional control pedal) to the pedal shaft, 
resulting in loss of directional control and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify each directional control pedal assembly, part number 
(P/N) 900C1012007-107, -109, -111, -113, or 900C6012007-111 (pilot 
dual control); or P/N 900C1012207-105, -107, -109, -111, or -113 
(co-pilot dual control); or P/N 900C1010007-107, -109, -111, -113, 
or 900C6010007-111 (pilot single control), by removing the existing 
pedals, removing the welded pedal support plate from the pedal 
shafts, and installing a directional control pedal modification kit, 
P/N SBK-010, in accordance with part 2, Accomplishment Instructions, 
in MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-100, dated April 5, 2006. 
One modification kit is required to be installed on helicopters with 
single controls and two modification kits are required to be 
installed on helicopters with dual controls.
    (b) Using a permanent ink, ink stamp the P/N, 90005340111-101, 
on the pedal shaft of each modified directional control pedal 
assembly.
    (c) 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 Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
ATTN: Roger Durbin, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5233, fax (562) 627-5210, for 
information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
specified portions of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-100, 
dated April 5, 2006. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from MD Helicopters, Inc., 
Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop 
M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-
346-6813. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas, or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal--
register/

[[Page 22789]]

code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 2, 2008.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 3, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-8638 Filed 4-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P