[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32508-32510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1998; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-035-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc.

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 MD 
Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 500N and 600N helicopters with certain 
rotating cone assemblies installed. This proposed AD would require 
establishing a life limit of 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) on 
these rotating cone assemblies. This proposed AD is prompted by the 
determination that MDHI created rotating cone assemblies with new dash 
numbers but incorrectly failed to identify them as life-limited parts. 
The proposed actions are intended to prevent operation of rotating cone 
assemblies past their life limits, failure of the rotating cone 
assemblies, loss of directional control, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 10, 2015.

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 MD 
Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell 
Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 1-800-388-3378; fax 
480-346-6813; or at http://www.mdhelicopters.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: Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 562-
627-5324; 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

[[Page 32509]]

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 MDHI Model 500N helicopters with a 
rotating cone assembly part number (P/N) 500N3740-81 installed and 
Model 600N helicopters with a rotating cone assembly P/N 500N3740-71 
installed. This proposed AD would require establishing a new life limit 
for these part-numbered rotating cone assemblies. This proposed AD is 
prompted by the determination that MDHI created rotating cone 
assemblies with new dash numbers and did not identify them as life-
limited parts. Although these parts have a life limit of 10,000 hours 
TIS, they were incorrectly omitted from the Airworthiness Limitation 
Section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. MDHI reports that some of the 
affected parts were sold as spares while others were installed on new 
helicopters in production.
    The proposed actions are intended to prevent a rotating cone 
assembly remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. This condition 
could result in failure of the rotating cone assembly and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

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 these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    MDHI issued Service Bulletin SB500N-046 and SB600N-054 (SB) as a 
single bulletin on July 9, 2012. The SB calls for a one-time inspection 
within 100 flight hours to determine the rotating cone assembly's part 
number on MDHI Model 500N and 600N helicopters. The SB then states to 
correct the component record for certain rotating cone assemblies.
    The SB also specifies determining the rotating cone assembly's 
total service time since new and recording this on the component 
record. MDHI reports that failure to comply with the SB may result in 
an aircraft exceeding the life limit of the rotating cone assembly and 
that this could lead to component failure and loss of directional 
control of the helicopter.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require within 1 year or at the next annual 
inspection, whichever comes later:
     Creating a component history card or equivalent record for 
the rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 or P/N 500N3740-71, 
whichever applies to your helicopter, and recording a life limit of 
10,000 hours TIS.
     Revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
applicable maintenance manual or the Instruction for Continued 
Airworthiness by establishing a new retirement life of 10,000 hours TIS 
for each rotating cone assembly. Accomplish this requirement by making 
pen-and-ink changes or inserting a copy of this AD into the applicable 
maintenance manual or the Instruction for Continued Airworthiness.
     Removing from service any rotating cone assembly, P/N 
500N3740-81 or P/N 500N3740-71, that has 10,000 or more hours TIS. 
Installing rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 or P/N 500N3740-71, 
is prohibited unless you have complied with the previous requirements 
of this AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The SB calls for inspecting the rotating cone assembly to determine 
its P/N. We make no requirement about how to determine the P/N. The 
compliance time for the SB is within 100 flight hours, while this 
proposed AD would require compliance within 1 year or by the next 
annual inspection, whichever comes later.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 8 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect creating a component history card and 
revising the appropriate records would take 1 work-hour. No parts would 
be needed for a total cost of $85 per helicopter and $680 for the U.S. 
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:

[[Page 32510]]

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):

MD Helicopters Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2015-1998; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-SW-035-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 500N with a 
rotating cone assembly part number (P/N) 500N3740-81 installed, and 
Model 600N helicopters with a rotating cone assembly P/N 500N3740-71 
installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a rotating cone assembly 
remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could 
result in failure of the rotating cone assembly and loss of control 
of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 10, 2015.

(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 1 year or at the next annual inspection, whichever 
comes later:
    (i) Create a component history card or equivalent record for 
each rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 and P/N 500N3740-71, 
and record a life limit of 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS).
    (ii) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
applicable maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness by establishing a new retirement life of 10,000 hours 
TIS for each rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 and P/N 
500N3740-71, by making pen-and-ink changes or by inserting a copy of 
this AD into the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.
    (iii) Remove from service any rotating cone assembly, P/N 
500N3740-81 and P/N 500N3740-71, that has 10,000 or more hours TIS.
    (2) Do not install a rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 or 
P/N 500N3740-71, on any helicopter unless you have complied with the 
requirements of this AD.

(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: Galib Abumeri, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
California 90712, telephone 562-627-5324; 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

    MD Helicopters Inc. Service Bulletin SB500N-046/SB600N-054, 
dated July 9, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. For service 
information identified in this AD, contact MD Helicopters, Inc., 
Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop 
M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 1-800-388-3378; fax 480-346-
6813; or at http://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may review a copy of 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5302, Rotorcraft 
Tail Boom.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-13853 Filed 6-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P