[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 93 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27958-27959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11753]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0449; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) 
Model 206A, 206B, and 206B3 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
specified Bell model helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
revising the Operating Limitations, Section 1, of the Rotorcraft Flight 
Manual (RFM) to add an operating limitation when a litter kit is 
installed. This proposed AD is prompted by the need for corresponding 
operating limitations prohibiting flight, including hover, with the 
litter doorpost removed when certain litter kits are installed. The 
actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to add an operating 
limitation when a litter kit is installed to prohibit flight with the 
doorpost removed to prevent loss of structural integrity of the 
fuselage.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 12, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax 
(450) 433-0272, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
    You may examine the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Wiley, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5134, fax 
(817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the Docket No. ``FAA-2011-
0449, Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-021-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the 
search function of the docket Web site, you can find and read the 
comments to any of our dockets, including the name of the individual 
who sent or signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

Discussion

    Bell reissued RFM Supplement (RFMS) BHT-206A-FMS-8 for the Model 
206A, BHT-206B-FMS-8 for the Model 206B, and BHT-206B3-FMS-2 for the 
Model 206B3 helicopters, all dated December 30, 2009, approved by 
Transport Canada and the FAA. The revisions to the RFMS were 
reformatted to match the RFM and to add a ``Type of Operation'' 
paragraph to Section 1 of the ``Operating Limitations,'' which states: 
``Flight, including hover, with litter doorpost removed is not 
approved. Litter doorpost may be removed and re-installed with rotor 
turning at flat pitch.''

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. We are 
proposing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by 
Transport Canada and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type 
designs. This proposed AD would require revising the RFM by inserting 
into the Operating Limitations, Section 1, of the RFM the following 
statement: ``Flight, including hover, with litter doorpost removed is 
prohibited.'' This revision may be made by pen and ink changes, 
inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM, or inserting a copy of the 
RFMS dealing with Litter Kits into the RFM as follows: For Model 206A 
helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206A-FMS-8, dated December 30, 2009, 
into RFM BHT-206A-FM-1, dated July 2, 2009; for Model 206B 
helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206B-FMS-8, dated December 30, 2009, 
into RFM BHT-206B-FM-1, dated July 2, 2009; and for Model 206B3 
helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206B3-FMS-2, dated December 30, 2009, 
into RFM BHT-206B3-FM-1, dated March 24, 2010. This limitation is 
required to prevent loss of structural integrity of the helicopter 
fuselage.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate this proposed AD would affect 1,463 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The cost to revise the operating limitations section of the 
RFM for each helicopter would be negligible, and there are no required 
parts.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, this proposed 
AD 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

[[Page 27959]]

power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 proposed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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) to read as follows:

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Docket No. FAA-2011-0449; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-021-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206A, 206B, and 206B3 helicopters, with 
Litter Kit, part number 206-706-122 or 206-706-324, installed, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Within 6 months, unless accomplished previously.
    To add an operating limitation when a litter kit is installed to 
prohibit flight, including hover, with the litter doorpost removed 
to prevent loss of structural integrity of the fuselage, do the 
following:
    (a) Revise the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting into 
the Operating Limitations, Section 1, of the RFM the following 
statement: ``Flight, including hover, with the litter doorpost 
removed is prohibited.'' This revision may be made by pen and ink 
changes, inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM, or inserting a 
copy of the RFM Supplement (RFMS) dealing with Litter Kits as 
follows: For Model 206A helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206A-FMS-8, 
dated December 30, 2009, into RFM BHT-206A-FM-1, dated July 2, 2009; 
for Model 206B helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206B-FMS-8, dated 
December 30, 2009, into RFM BHT-206B-FM-1, dated July 2, 2009; and 
for Model 206B3 helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206B3-FMS-2, dated 
December 30, 2009, into RFM BHT-206B3-FM-1, dated March 24, 2010.
    (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 Manager, Safety Management Group, ATTN: Mark Wiley, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations 
and Guidance Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone (817) 222-5134, fax (817) 222-5961, for information about 
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (c) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 5300: 
Fuselage structure (general).

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 31, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-11753 Filed 5-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P