[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38613-38615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16469]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 38613]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0499; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-061-AD;
Amendment 39-18198; AD 2015-13-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters to require
inspecting the tail rotor control tube assembly (control tube) and
either repairing or replacing the control tube. This AD was prompted by
two reports of failure of the control tube bonded clevis. The actions
of this AD are intended to prevent failure of a control tube bonded
clevis, which could lead to failure of the control tube and subsequent
loss of helicopter control.
DATES: This AD is effective August 11, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 11,
2015.
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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0499.
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 Transport Canada Civil
Aviation (TCCA) 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: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On July 30, 2014, at 79 FR 44147, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to BHTC Model 430
Helicopters, serial number 49001 through 49121, with control tube part
number (P/N) 430-001-007-101 installed. The NPRM proposed to require
inspecting the control tube and either repairing or replacing it. The
proposed requirements were intended to prevent failure of a control
tube bonded clevis, which could lead to failure of the control tube and
subsequent loss of helicopter control.
The NPRM was prompted by Canadian AD No. CF-2013-30, dated October
7, 2013, issued by TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, to
correct an unsafe condition for BHTC Model 430 helicopters with control
tube P/N 430-001-007-101. TCCA advises of two failures of the control
tube bonded clevis caused by cracking from control tube oscillation.
TCCA states that this situation, if not corrected, could result in the
loss of control of the helicopter. TCCA AD No. CF-2013-30 consequently
requires a one-time inspection of the control tube for damage and
contacting BHTC for evaluation of the control tube if the damage
exceeds allowable limits. If the tube is not damaged, the damage is
within allowable limits, or BHTC Engineering determines the control
tube can be returned to service, TCCA AD No. CF-2013-30 requires
modifying the tube according to BHTC's service information. TCCA AD No.
CF-2013-30 also requires replacing control tubes, P/N 430-001-007-101,
with control tube, P/N 430-001-007-105, no later than 12 months from
the effective date of its AD.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 44147, July 30,
2014).
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 submitting sketches of a control tube damaged
beyond defined limits to BHTC for evaluation. BHTC then determines if
the control tube can be returned to service. We make no such
requirement in this AD.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 430-13-51, dated
September 3, 2013, states that BHTC received two reports of control
tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, failing because the clevis failed due to
fatigue caused by control tube oscillation. ASB No. 430-13-51 specifies
a one-time inspection of control tube assembly, P/N 430-001-007-101, to
verify if the tube has chaffing damage and indicated that a
[[Page 38614]]
mandatory replacement would follow when sufficient parts became
available. This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this
AD.
Other Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Helicopter Technical Bulletin 430-04-35, Revision
B, dated March 20, 2009, which recommends that control tube, P/N 430-
001-007-101, be replaced with control tube, P/N 430-001-007-105, if
damage exists. On June 12, 2014, Bell issued Revision A to ASB No. 430-
13-51, which set a compliance date of September 30, 2014, to remove
control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 5 helicopters of U.S. Registry and
that labor costs average $85 a work hour. Based on these estimates, we
expect the following costs:
The cost of inspecting the control tube is minimal.
Repairing the control tube requires 2 work-hours for a
labor cost of $170.
Replacing control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, with control
tube, P/N 430-001-007-105, requires 3 work-hours for a labor cost of
$255. Parts cost $3,974 for a total cost per helicopter of $4,229.
According to manufacturer's service information, some of the costs
of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by
the manufacturer. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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):
2015-13-11 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-18198;
Docket No. FAA-2014-0499; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-061-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model
430 Helicopters, serial number 49001 through 49121, with control
tube assembly (control tube), part number (P/N) 430-001-007-101
installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as fatigue failure of a
tail rotor control tube bonded clevis. This condition could result
in failure of the tail rotor control tube and subsequent loss of
helicopter control.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 11, 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 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspect each
control tube for any damage, for any damage to the clevis, and to
determine whether the clevis is correctly bonded to the control
tube.
(i) If a control tube and clevis have no damage or damage within
acceptable limits and the clevis is correctly bonded to the control
tube, repair the control tube by applying tape in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 5, of Bell Helicopter
Alert Service Bulletin 430-13-51, dated September 3, 2013.
(ii) If the control tube or clevis is damaged beyond acceptable
limits or if the clevis is not correctly bonded to the control tube,
replace control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, with control tube, P/N
430-001-007-105.
(2) Within 250 hours TIS, replace each control tube, P/N 430-
001-007-101, with control tube, P/N 430-001-007-105.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior 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 Helicopter Technical Bulletin 430-04-35, Revision B,
dated March 20, 2009, which is not incorporated by reference,
contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For
service information, 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 view this service information
at 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
Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD No. CF-2013-30, dated October 7, 2013. You
may view the TCCA AD on the Internet at
[[Page 38615]]
http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0499.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor
Control
(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 Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 430-13-51, dated
September 3, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 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 June 24, 2015.
Bruce E. Cain,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16469 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am]
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