[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58794-58796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23457]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1016; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-009-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.

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 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 412 and 412EP helicopters. 
This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracking in the swashplate 
outer ring assemblies (outer ring). This AD would establish a lower 
life limit on certain outer rings, requiring a revision of the 
retirement life on the components' history card or equivalent record, 
and a revision of the maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness (ICA). This proposal also would prohibit installing these 
outer rings on any helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to 
prevent failure of an outer ring because of cracking, which could lead 
to the loss of main rotor (M/R) blade pitch control and subsequent loss 
of helicopter control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 23, 
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 proposed 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 proposed AD, contact 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of 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: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5447; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    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 might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this

[[Page 58795]]

proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    This proposal is prompted by a report of fatigue cracking in the 
outer ring, part number (P/N) 412-010-407-105. The outer ring 
previously had a life limit of 10,000 hours TIS, but Bell has 
recommended reducing the outer ring retirement life to 2,500 hours TIS. 
Cracking in the outer ring can lead to loss of cyclic and collective 
pitch control of the main rotor blades and loss of helicopter control.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    We have reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 412-08-
131, Revision B, dated October 29, 2009 (ASB), which describes 
procedures for establishing a new retirement life for the outer ring 
and replacing the outer ring at 2,500 hours TIS.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require the following:
     Within 30 days, establish a new retirement life of 2,500 
hours TIS for outer ring P/N 412-010-407-105, and record this on the 
component history card or equivalent record. Within the same time 
period, make pen-and-ink changes or insert a copy of the AD into the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable maintenance manual 
or ICA.
     Within 300 hours TIS, for any affected outer ring that has 
2,200 or more hours TIS on the effective date of the proposed AD, 
replace the outer ring with an airworthy outer ring.
     Within 12 months, for any affected outer ring, regardless 
of the number of hours TIS, replace the outer ring with an airworthy 
outer ring. The installation of outer ring, P/N 412-010-407-105, would 
be prohibited on any helicopter.

Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The ASB sets a calendar date for compliance. This proposed AD does 
not.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 143 helicopters. We 
estimate that it would take about one work-hour to revise the component 
history card or equivalent record, as well as the maintenance manual or 
ICA, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour, for a total cost of 
$85 per helicopter and $12,155 for the U.S. operator fleet. Replacing 
an outer ring would take 26 work-hours and required parts would cost an 
estimated $25,725. Based on these figures, we calculate the total cost 
to be $27,935 per helicopter to replace an outer ring.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. 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 power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed, I certify 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);
    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 proposed 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.

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BELL): Docket No. FAA-2012-1016; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-009-AD.

 (a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, with a 
swashplate outer ring assembly (outer ring), part number (P/N) 412-
010-407-105, certificated in any category.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as cracking in the outer 
ring, which could result in the loss of main rotor (M/R) blade pitch 
control and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(d) Required Actions

    (1) Within 30 days, establish a retirement life of 2,500 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) for any affected outer ring on the component 
history card or equivalent record. Revise the helicopter 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable maintenance 
manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by 
establishing the new retirement life by making pen and ink changes 
or inserting a copy of this AD into the maintenance manual or the 
ICAs.
    (2) For any affected outer ring that, on the effective date of 
this AD, has 2,200 or more hours TIS, within 300 hours TIS, replace 
the outer ring with an airworthy outer ring.
    (3) Within 12 months, for any affected outer ring, regardless of 
the number of hours TIS, replace the outer ring with an airworthy 
outer ring.
    (4) Do not install outer ring, P/N 412-010-407-105, on any 
helicopter.

(e) Special flight permit

    No special flight permits will be issued for any helicopter 
installed with outer ring, P/N 412-010-407-105, if the outer ring 
has 2,500 hours or more TIS.

[[Page 58796]]

 (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5447; 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Removal and installation instructions, as well as M/R 
assembly track and balance procedures, are contained in Bell manuals 
BHT-412-MM and BHT-412-CR&O. Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 
No. 412-08-131, Revision B, dated October 29, 2009, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. None of these 
documents is incorporated by reference.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of information at 
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor 
Mast/Swashplate.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 14, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23457 Filed 9-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P