[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23688-23690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09415]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. (BHT) Model 206A, 206B, and 
206L helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing certain 
part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This proposed AD 
is prompted by a design review that revealed the control box chipset 
did not meet the required temperature range requirements, which could 
cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight 
system. This condition could result in increased pilot workload during 
a power loss emergency and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 21, 2013.

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

[[Page 23689]]

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 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 
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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
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 proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    Transport Canada (TC), which is the aviation authority for Canada, 
has issued TC AD No. CF-2012-19, dated June 12, 2012 (CF-2012-19), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain serial numbered BHT Model 206A, 
206B, and 206L helicopters with an engine auto-relight kit control box 
assembly (control box assembly) part number 206-375-017-101 or 206-375-
017-103 installed. TC advises that these control box assemblies have a 
manufacturing defect which could disable the auto-relight system in the 
event of an engine flameout, subsequently requiring the pilot to re-
start the engine manually. This condition could result in increased 
pilot workload during a power loss emergency in-flight and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter. CF-2012-19 specifies replacing the 
affected control boxes within 4 months to correct the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, TC, its technical representative, 
has notified us of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are 
proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information 
and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    BHT has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-11-127 for 
Model 206A and 206B helicopters and ASB No. 206L-11-167 for Model 206L 
helicopters, both dated May 2, 2011. Both ASBs specify replacing the 
affected control box assembly with an upgraded control box assembly.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require replacing the control box assembly 
within 4 months.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,357 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs 
in order to comply with this AD. If installed, replacing the control 
box assembly would require about 2 work-hours at an average labor rate 
of $85 per hour and required parts would cost about $18,974, for a cost 
per helicopter of $19,144.
    According to BHT's service information, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by 
BHT. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.

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:

[[Page 23690]]

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):

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc (BHT): Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) BHT Model 206A and 206B helicopters, all serial numbers (S/
N) except S/Ns 1, 2, and 3, with an engine auto-relight kit control 
box assembly (control box assembly) part number (P/N) 206-375-017-
101 installed; and
    (2) BHT Model 206L helicopters, S/N 45001 through 45153 and 
46601 through 46617, with a control box assembly P/N 206-375-017-103 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an inoperative control 
box assembly. This condition could result in a disabled auto-relight 
system, failure of the engine to relight after a flame-out, 
increased pilot workload during a power loss emergency, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Reserved

(d) 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.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 4 months, replace the control box assembly:
    (1) For Model 206A and 206B helicopters, replace control box 
assembly P/N 206-375-017-101 with a control box assembly P/N 206-
375-017-105.
    (2) For Model 206L helicopters, replace control box assembly P/N 
206-375-017-103 with a control box assembly P/N 206-375-017-107.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5110; 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) BHT Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-11-127 for Model 
206A and 206B helicopters and ASB No. 206L-11-167 for Model 206L 
helicopters, both dated May 2, 2011, which are not incorporated by 
reference, contain additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact 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 review a 
copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
CF-2012-19, dated June 12, 2012.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7410: Ignition 
Power Supply.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 11, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09415 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P