[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33770-33772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13302]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0481; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-003-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. 
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 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 
206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with an Apical Industries, Inc. 
(Apical) emergency float kit installed under supplemental type 
certificate (STC) number SR01535LA. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting, labeling, and replacing the float inflation hoses. This 
proposed AD is prompted by an incident in which the floats installed on 
a helicopter failed to deploy. The proposed actions are intended to 
prevent failure of the emergency floatation gear to deploy during an 
emergency event.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 5, 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 33771]]

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 
Apical Industries, Inc., 2608 Temple Heights Drive, Oceanside, CA 
92056-3512; telephone (760) 724-5300; fax: (760) 758-9612; or at 
www.apicalindustries.com. 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: Venessa Stiger, Cabin Safety/
Mechanical & Environmental Systems, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5337; 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

    We propose to adopt a new AD for Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-
1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with an Apical emergency float 
kit installed under STC number SR01535LA. This proposed AD is prompted 
by an incident in which the floats did not deploy evenly and the right-
hand (RH) mid-float ruptured on a helicopter modified with an Apical 
emergency float kit. An investigation determined that the uneven 
deployment resulted from incorrect installation of the float inflation 
hoses on the port fitting at the base of the forward crosstube saddle. 
Subsequent inspection of one operator's fleet revealed more instances 
of incorrect inflation hose installation. This proposed AD would 
require inspecting the hoses at the port fittings for correct 
installation and condition, labeling the port fittings, and replacing 
the float inflation hoses. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure 
of the emergency floats to inflate fully in an emergency.

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 the same type design.

Related Service Information

    We have reviewed Apical Alert Service Bulletin No. SB2010-03, 
Revision C, dated December 21, 2011 (ASB). The ASB provides 
instructions for inspecting the float inflation hoses, installing an 
aft float label onto the port fittings, installing a port fitting 
adapter on the port fittings, and replacing the hoses leading to the 
aft floats of each affected helicopter.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require:
     Within 45 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting each 
float inflation hose port fitting for corrosion, condition, or a bend 
in the tubing, and replacing the hose if there is corrosion or damage 
that has penetrated the base material more than .010 inch. If there is 
a bend in the tubing greater than 5 degrees, bending the port fitting 
back to its original position. Installing a marking label on each port 
fitting which states ``AFT FLOAT.''
     Within 6 months, installing a port fitting adapter on each 
port fitting and replacing each aft float hose.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The ASB requires installing the port fitting adapter and replacing 
the aft hose by a specific calendar date, while the proposed AD 
requires these actions be accomplished within 6 months.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 265 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per hour, we 
estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Inspecting the float inflation hoses and 
installing the marking labels will require about 1 work hour, and 
required parts will cost about $2, for a cost per helicopter of $87, 
and a total cost to U.S. operators of $23,055. Installing the port 
fitting adaptor and replacing the aft float hose assembly will require 
about 1 work hour, and required parts will cost about $165, for a cost 
per helicopter of $250. Thus, we estimate a total cost to U.S. 
operators of $89,305.
    If any fitting has excessive corrosion or damage, replacing the 
fitting will require about 1 work hour, and required parts will cost 
about $125, for a cost per helicopter of $210.

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;

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    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

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, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0481; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-SW-003-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 
206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with 
an Apical Industries, Inc. (Apical) emergency float kit installed 
under supplemental type certificate (STC) number SR01535LA, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrectly installed 
float inflation hoses, which could result in failure of the 
emergency floats to inflate fully during an emergency.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 5, 2013.

(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

    (1) Within 45 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Inspect each float inflation hose port fitting at the left-
hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) forward crosstube saddles for 
corrosion, damage, or a bend in the tubing greater than 5 degrees 
from their original position.
    (A) If there is corrosion that has penetrated the base material 
more than .010 inch, or damage that has removed more than .010 inch 
of base material, before further flight, replace the port fitting.
    (B) If there is a bend in the port fitting tubing greater than 5 
degrees from the original position of the tube, bend the port 
fitting back to its original position to enable complete sealing of 
the port fitting adapter.
    (ii) Inspect the position of each float inflation hose for 
proper connection and routing to the LH and RH port fittings. If the 
position of any float inflation hose is not as shown in figure 2 of 
Apical Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SB2010-03, Revision C, dated 
December 21, 2011 (ASB SB2010-03), before further flight, correct 
the installation of the float inflation hose at the port fitting.
    (iii) Install a marking label on the LH and RH port fittings as 
shown in figures 3 and 4 of ASB SB2010-03 and seal the marking label 
with clear shrink tubing.
    (2) Within 6 months:
    (i) Remove each hose connecting the aft float to the port 
fitting, part number (P/N) 602.1417 for Model 206A and 206B 
helicopters, P/N 602.1420 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters, or P/N 602.1413 for Model 407 helicopters, from each 
skid tube.
    (ii) Install a port fitting adaptor, P/N 614.8709, onto the 
straight line fitting on the LH and RH port fittings as depicted in 
figure 6 of ASB SB2010-03.
    (iii) Install an aft float hose, P/N 602.1430 for Model 206A and 
206B helicopters, P/N 602.1431 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 
206L-4 helicopters, or P/N 602.1429 for Model 407 helicopters, to 
each port fitting adaptor and aft float.
    (3) Do not install a hose, P/N 602.1417 for Model 206A and 206B 
helicopters, P/N 602.1420 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters, or P/N 602.1413 for Model 407 helicopters, on any 
helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Venessa 
Stiger, Cabin Safety/Mechanical & Environmental Systems, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5337; 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) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212: Emergency 
Flotation Section.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 28, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13302 Filed 6-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P