[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45580-45582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19435]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1125; Product Identifier 2017-SW-078-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc. 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 MD 
Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 600N helicopters. This proposed AD would 
require establishing a life limit for the main rotor (M/R) blade upper 
control collective/longitudinal link assembly (link assembly). This 
proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that the life limit was 
omitted from the maintenance manual. The actions of this proposed AD 
are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 9, 
2018.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1125; or in person at the Docket Operations 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 
(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 rule, contact 
MD

[[Page 45581]]

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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer 
(Structures), Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, 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 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 600N helicopters with a 
yaw stability augmentation system and with a link assembly part number 
(P/N) 600N7617-1 installed. This proposed AD would require establishing 
a life limit of 15,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) for the link 
assembly.
    This proposed AD is prompted by a report from MDHI that during a 
review of the Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable 
maintenance manual, MDHI discovered that it did not include a life 
limit for link assemblies installed on MDHI Model 600N helicopters with 
a yaw stability augmentation system. Link assembly P/N 600N7617-1, 
which is made of aluminum, is a life-limited part with a life limit of 
15,000 hours TIS. MDHI subsequently revised the Airworthiness 
Limitations section of the maintenance manual to include the life 
limit. The proposed actions are intended to prevent a link assembly 
remaining in service beyond its life limit, which could result in 
fatigue failure, loss of M/R blade pitch control, and subsequent loss 
of helicopter control.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed MDHI CSP-HMI-2 MDHI Maintenance Manual, Chapter 04, 
Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 47, dated September 30, 2016. This 
service information specifies a 15,000-hour TIS life limit for link 
assembly P/N 600N7617-1 for helicopters with a yaw stability 
augmentation system.

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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require creating a component history card or 
equivalent record for each affected link assembly, if one does not 
exist, and recording a life limit of 15,000 hours TIS. This proposed AD 
would also require determining the hours TIS of the link assembly and 
replacing each link assembly that has reached or exceeded its life 
limit.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 26 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect it would take 30 minutes to determine the 
hours TIS of each link assembly and update the aircraft records for a 
cost of $85 per helicopter and $2,210 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing a 
link assembly, if needed, would require 2 work-hours, and parts would 
cost $984 for a cost of $1,154 per link per helicopter.

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.

[[Page 45582]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

MD Helicopters Inc.: Product No. FAA-2017-1125; Product Identifier 
2017-SW-078-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 600N 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a yaw stability 
augmentation system and with a main rotor (M/R) blade upper control 
collective/longitudinal link assembly (link assembly) part number 
(P/N) 600N7617-1 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a link assembly 
remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could 
result in failure of the link assembly, failure of M/R blade pitch 
control, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 9, 2018.

(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 100 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (1) Determine the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of each link 
assembly P/N 600N7617-1. If the hours TIS are unknown, use the hours 
TIS of the helicopter. Remove from service any link assembly that 
has 15,000 or more hours TIS. Thereafter, remove from service any 
link assembly before accumulating 15,000 hours TIS.
    (2) Create a component history card or equivalent record for 
each link assembly P/N 600N7617-1 and record a life limit of 15,000 
hours TIS.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Galib Abumeri, Aerospace 
Engineer (Structures), Airframe Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 
Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 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.

(h) Additional Information

    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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

 (i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6710, Main Rotor 
Control.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 27, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19435 Filed 9-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P