[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78699-78701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30186]



[[Page 78699]]

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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; 
Amendment 39-17706; AD 2013-25-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 AD requires inspecting 
the fitting for a crack and other conditions. This AD was prompted by 
the manufacturer revising and extending the 100 hour time-in-service 
(TIS) inspection requirements for the fitting. The actions of this AD 
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: This AD is effective January 31, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of January 31, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: 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 the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

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 AD, the foreign authority's AD, 
any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

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: 

Discussion

    On July 12, 2013, at 78 FR 41886, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to add an AD that would apply to BHTC Model 206L, 206L-1, 
206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with an upper left attachment fitting 
part number 206-032-409-001 installed. The NPRM proposed to 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, the NPRM proposed to 
require replacing the upper left tailboom attachment fitting. If there 
is corrosion or damage within acceptable limits, the NPRM proposed to 
require repairing the fitting. If there is a loose rivet, the NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the loose rivet. The proposed 
requirements were 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.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. CF-2009-41, dated November 16, 
2009, issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the 
aviation authority for Canada. TCCA issued AD No. CF-2009-41 to correct 
an unsafe condition for certain 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. TCCA advises that 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 TCCA 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). TCCA further states that incorporating this inspection 
into the applicable maintenance manual revision constitutes terminating 
action to TCCA AD No. CF-2009-41. The actions in TCCA 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 41886, 
July 12, 2013).

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, TCCA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the TCCA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by TCCA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same 
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require 
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the TCCA AD

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

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. The 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 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

[[Page 78700]]

fitting. TCCA 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 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 work-hour, 
inspecting the fitting requires 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 requires about 8 work-hours and required parts cost 
about $10, for a cost per helicopter of $690. Replacing a fitting which 
is damaged beyond the allowable repair limits requires about 8 work-
hours and required parts cost about $793, for a cost per helicopter of 
$1,473. Replacing a loose rivet requires about 1 work-hour, and 
required parts 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 regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on helicopters identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2013-25-10 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC): Amendment 39-
17706; Docket No. FAA-2013-0603; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-079-
AD.

 (a) Applicability

    This AD applies to BHTC Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 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) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 31, 2014.

 (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 BellAlert 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 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

    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.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206L-09-158, Revision B, dated 
June 1, 2011.
    (ii) Reserved.

[[Page 78701]]

    (3) For Bell 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/.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 5, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30186 Filed 12-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P