[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34286-34288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13477]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0490; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-004-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
(Bell) 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 Model 407 helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
installing a placard beneath the NR/NP dual tachometer and revising the 
limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This 
proposed AD is prompted by several incidents of third stage engine 
turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at 
certain engine speeds during steady-state operations. The proposed 
actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds 
during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the third stage 
engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 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 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: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

[[Page 34287]]


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-2004-09R1, dated July 4, 2005, to correct an 
unsafe condition for Model 407 helicopters. TC advises of several 
failures of third stage turbine wheels used in Rolls Royce 250-C30S and 
250-C47B engines, and three of these failures have occurred to the 250-
C47B engine used by Bell on the Model 407. According to TC, Rolls Royce 
has determined that detrimental vibrations can occur within a 
particular range of turbine speeds, and may be a contributing factor to 
these failures. Bell has revised the operating limitations of the RFM 
and provided a corresponding decal on the instrument panel to inform 
pilots to avoid steady-state operations between 68.4% and 87.1% turbine 
speeds.
    The TC AD requires amending the RFMs, advising pilots of the 
change, and installing a decal as described in Bell Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. 407-05-67, dated June 8, 2005 (ASB 407-05-67).

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 helicopters of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Bell has issued ASB 407-05-67, which contains procedures for 
installing a placard on the instrument panel below the main rotor RPM 
(Nr)/power turbine RPM (Np) dual tachometer and for inserting the RFM 
changes into the flight manual.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require installing a placard on the 
instrument panel below the NR/NP dual tachometer and revising the 
Operating Limitations section of the Model 407 RFM to limit steady-
state operations between speeds of 68.4% to 87.1%.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the TC AD

    The TC AD requires compliance within 10 calendar days; the proposed 
AD requires compliance within 30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 472 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. Amending the RFM would require about 0.5 work-
hours, for a cost per helicopter of about $43 and a cost to U.S. 
operators of $20,296. Installing the decal would require about 0.2 
work-hours and required parts would cost $20, for a cost per helicopter 
of $37 and a cost to U.S. operators of $17,464. Based on these 
estimates, the total cost of this proposed AD would be $80 per 
helicopter and $37,760 for the U.S. operator fleet.

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

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 Limited (Bell): Docket No. FAA-2013-
0490; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-004-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 
53000 through 53644, certificated in any category.

[[Page 34288]]

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a third stage turbine 
vibration, which could result in turbine failure, engine power loss, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 6, 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

    Within 30 days:
    (1) Revise the Operating Limitations section of the Model 407 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual by inserting Section 1, Operating 
Limitations, pages 1-6 and 1-14, of Bell BHT-407-FM-1, revision 3, 
dated April 26, 2005.
    (2) Remove placard part number (P/N) 230-075-213-105, if 
installed.
    (3) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-111, or equivalent, directly 
below the NR/NP dual tachometer.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management 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) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-05-67, dated June 8, 
2005, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 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 
No. CF-2004-09R1, dated July 4, 2005.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7250: Turbine 
Section.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13477 Filed 6-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P