[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42971-42973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0739; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-044-AD; 
Amendment 39-17125; AD 2012-14-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Various Restricted Category Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Arrow 
Falcon Exporters, Inc. (AFE), Rotorcraft Development Corporation (RDC), 
and San Joaquin Helicopters (SJH) Model OH-58A, OH-58A+, and OH-58C 
helicopters to require inspecting the main rotor mast (mast) for a 
crack. This AD is prompted by two reported failures of the mast from 
corrosion-initiated fatigue cracking. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent failure of the mast and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 7, 2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 21, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Examining the AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket 
Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Arrow Falcon 
Exporters, Inc., 2081 South Wildcat Way, Porterville, CA 93257; 
telephone (559) 781-8604; fax (559) 781-9271; email 
[email protected].
    You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Cecil, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone 
(562) 627-5228; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    AFE reported two failures of a mast on an OH-58A+ and an OH-58C 
helicopter used in agricultural spraying operations. Investigation 
revealed that the mast failures were caused by fatigue cracking, which 
initiated from corrosion pitting found in the threaded section of the 
mast approximately 45 inches from

[[Page 42972]]

the top of the mast. AFE issued Alert Service Bulletin: 2012-58-01, 
Revision 1, dated February 20, 2012 (ASB 2012-58-01), which specifies 
overhauling and inspecting the mast for any cracks, pitting, or 
corrosion by following the procedures in the latest revision of 
Aviation Unit and Intermediate Maintenance Manual TM55-1520-228-23. ASB 
2012-58-01 further specifies replacing any mast with a crack, pitting, 
or corrosion beyond surface rust that is removed with a wire brush or 
steel wool in the threaded portion of the mast.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of the same type 
design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires overhauling the mast and performing specific 
inspections for a crack, pitting, or corrosion in the threaded area of 
the mast and associated parts. If there is a crack, pitting, or 
corrosion, this AD requires replacing the mast with an airworthy mast. 
This AD also requires the operator to report any crack, pitting, or 
corrosion found during the inspections. The report must include the 
number of hours time-in-service (TIS) and calendar time since the last 
overhaul of the mast.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    RDC and SJH helicopters are included in this AD because they have 
the same mast design and are operated similarly to the AFE fleet. This 
AD does not include the 1200 hour TIS repetitive inspections required 
by ASB 2012-58-01.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. We are considering a 
repetitive inspection for this unsafe condition. The planned inspection 
interval would allow sufficient opportunity for prior public notice and 
comment.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 80 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry, and that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Inspecting the mast and reporting the results will 
require about 20 work hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, 
for a total cost of $1,700 per helicopter, and a total cost to the U.S. 
operator fleet of $136,000. Replacing a cracked main rotor mast will 
require about 20 work hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour, 
and required parts will cost about $11,891 for a total cost per 
helicopter of $13,591.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that 
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment 
prior to the adoption of this rule because the required corrective 
actions must be accomplished within 30 days.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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, I certify that this AD:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
Reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2012-14-11 Various Restricted Category Helicopters: Amendment 39-
17125; Docket No. FAA-2012-0739; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-044-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. (AFE), 
Rotorcraft Development Corporation (formerly Garlick Helicopter 
Corporation, and Garlick Helicopter, Inc.), and San Joaquin 
Helicopters Model OH-58A, OH-58A+, and OH-58C helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in the main 
rotor mast, which could result in failure of the mast and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 7, 2012.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 30 days, unless accomplished previously within the 
last 12 months:
    (i) Overhaul the main rotor mast assembly and magnetic particle 
inspect the mast; mast bearing nut; plate, mast and seal; and 
bearing liner for a crack.
    (ii) Fluorescent penetrant inspect the locking plate for a 
crack.
    (iii) Using a 10X or higher magnifying glass, inspect the 
threaded area of the mast

[[Page 42973]]

as shown in area E of figure 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD for 
pitting, corrosion, or a crack. Remove any surface rust with a wire 
brush or steel wool.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY12.003

    (2) If there is a crack, pitting, or corrosion, before further 
flight, replace the mast with an airworthy mast.
    (3) Within 10 days, report any findings of a crack, pitting, or 
corrosion to the address listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. 
Include the number of hours TIS and calendar time since the last 
overhaul and inspection of the mast and the restricted category type 
of the helicopter.

(f) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: John Cecil, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
CA 90712; telephone (562) 627-5228; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc., Alert Service Bulletin: 2012-
58-01, Revision 1, dated February 20, 2012, which is not 
incorporated by reference, contains more information about the 
subject of this AD.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Arrow 
Falcon Exporters, Inc., 2081 South Wildcat Way, Porterville, CA 
93257; telephone (559) 781-8604; fax (559) 781-9271; email 
[email protected].
    (2) You may review the service information at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300: Main Rotor 
Drive.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 5, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17279 Filed 7-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P