[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41886-41888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16695]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0603; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-079-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
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 
certain serial-numbered Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) 
Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with a certain 
tailboom upper left attachment fitting (fitting). This proposed AD 
would require inspecting the fitting for a crack and other conditions. 
This proposed AD is prompted by the manufacturer revising and extending 
the 100 hour time-in-service (TIS) inspection requirements for the 
fitting. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack, loose 
rivet, corrosion, or any other damage, which could lead to loss of the 
tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 10, 
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: Sharon Miles, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Regulations and Policy Group, 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 AD No. CF-2009-41, dated November 16, 2009 (AD CF-2009-41), 
to correct an unsafe condition for BHTC Model 206L series helicopters, 
specifically: Model 206L, serial number (S/N) 45004 through 45153, and 
46601 through 46617; Model 206L-1, S/N 45154 through 45790; Model 206L-
3, S/N 51001 through 51612; and Model 206L-4, all S/Ns. TC AD No. CF-
2009-41 was prompted by a new airworthiness limitation for the fitting 
that requires an inspection of fitting part number 203-032-409-001 at 
each 100-hour or annual inspection. The TC AD requires inspecting the 
fitting, and replacing or repairing it if necessary, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
206L-09-158, Revision A, dated August 31, 2009 (ASB 206L-09-158 
Revision A). TC further states that incorporating this inspection into 
the applicable maintenance manual revision constitutes terminating 
action to TC AD No. CF-2009-41. The actions in TC AD No. CF-2009-41 are 
intended to detect a crack in a tailboom attachment fitting, which 
could result in loss of the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

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

    We reviewed ASB 206L-09-158 Revision A for certain serial-numbered 
Model 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 helicopters with certain tailboom 
assemblies installed. That ASB requires an inspection of the fitting 
for a crack, loose rivets, corrosion, and damage at each 100-hour or 
annual inspection. If there is a crack, the ASB specifies replacing the 
fitting with an airworthy fitting. If there is a loose rivet, the ASB 
specifies replacing the rivet with an airworthy rivet. If the fitting 
has corrosion or mechanical damage, the ASB specifies determining if 
the corrosion or mechanical damage is within acceptable limits. If the 
corrosion

[[Page 41887]]

or mechanical damage is within acceptable limits, the ASB specifies 
repairing the damage in accordance with the instructions contained in 
the ASB. If the damage is not within acceptable limits, the ASB 
specifies replacing the fitting with an airworthy fitting. TC 
classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-2009-41 to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.
    Since that time, BHTC has issued ASB 206L-09-158, Revision B, dated 
June 1, 2011, for all Model 206L series helicopters. Revision B of the 
ASB changes the recurring inspection interval from every 100 flight 
hours to every 110 flight-hours.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 100 hours TIS and thereafter 
at intervals not exceeding 110 hours TIS, inspecting the upper left 
tailboom attachment fitting for a crack, corrosion, damage, or a loose 
rivet. If there is a crack or corrosion or damage beyond acceptable 
limits, this proposed AD would require replacing the upper left 
tailboom attachment fitting with an airworthy fitting. If there is 
corrosion or damage within acceptable limits, this proposed AD would 
require repairing the fitting. If there is a loose rivet, this proposed 
AD would require replacing the loose rivet.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    The Transport Canada AD requires a recurring inspection every 100 
hours, while this proposed AD would require the inspection at intervals 
not to exceed 110 hours to align with the Bell ASB.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 783 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, 
inspecting the fitting will require about 1 work hour, for a cost per 
helicopter of $85 and a total cost to U.S. operators of $66,555 per 
inspection cycle.
    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs or 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these repairs or replacements. Repairing a 
damaged fitting would require about 8 work-hours and required parts 
would cost about $10, for a cost per helicopter of $690. Replacing a 
fitting which is damaged beyond the allowable repair limits would 
require about 8 work-hours and required parts would cost about $793, 
for a cost per helicopter of $1,473. Replacing a loose rivet would 
require about 1 work-hour, and required parts would cost about $1, for 
a cost per helicopter of $86.

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 proposed 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 (BHTC): Docket No. FAA-2013-0603; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-79-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to BHTC Model 206L, Model 206L-1, Model 206L-3, 
and Model 206L-4 helicopters, with an upper left attachment fitting 
part number 206-032-409-001 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a tailboom 
attachment fitting, which could result in loss of the tailboom and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 10, 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) At the next 100-hour inspection, and thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 110 hours time-in-service, inspect each tailboom upper 
left attachment fitting (fitting) for a crack, a loose rivet, 
corrosion, or damage as depicted in Figure 2 of BHTC Alert Service 
Bulletin 206L-09-158, Revision B, dated June 1, 2011 (ASB 206L-09-
158).
    (2) If there is a crack, corrosion, or damage beyond the 
acceptable limits of Figure 2 of ASB 206L-09-158, before further 
flight, replace the fitting with an airworthy fitting.
    (3) If there is corrosion or damage within the acceptable limits 
of Figure 2 of ASB 206L-09-158, before further flight, repair the 
fitting as described in the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, 
paragraphs 5.b.(1) through 5.b.(6), of ASB 206L-09-158.
    (4) If there is a loose rivet, before further flight, replace 
the loose rivet with an airworthy rivet.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Sharon Miles, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Regulations and

[[Page 41888]]

Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 
telephone: (817) 222-5122; fax: (817) 222-5961; 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) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD No. CF-2009-41, dated November 16, 2009. 
You may view the TCCA AD at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0603.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5302: Rotorcraft 
Tailboom.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 1, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-16695 Filed 7-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P