[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7256-7258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02450]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0064; Product Identifier 2019-SW-096-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for MD Helicopters Inc., (MDHI) Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 
369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted 
by a report of non-conforming main rotor (M/R) hub lead-lag bolts 
(bolts). This proposed AD would require removing certain bolts from 
service. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 23, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 https://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 817-222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-

[[Page 7257]]

0064; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer, 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 562-627-5313; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0064; 
Product Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N 
helicopters with certain serial-numbered bolts part number (P/N) 
369D21220 installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of non-
conforming bolts. Certain serial-numbered bolts had an unauthorized 
repair of their cadmium plating performed between April 2004 and 
October 2018. Analysis has shown that these bolts have a lower fatigue 
life compared to bolts used during manufacturing batch testing. This 
proposed AD would require removing the affected bolts from service.
    This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of an M/R 
blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed MD Helicopters Service Bulletin No. SB369D-223 for 
Model 369D helicopters, No. SB369E-122 for Model 369E helicopters, No. 
SB369F-110 for Model 369FF helicopters, No. SB369H-259 for Model 369H, 
369HE, 369HS, and 369HM helicopters, No. SB500N-060 for Model 500N 
helicopters, and No. SB600N-073 for Model 600N helicopters, each dated 
April 19, 2019. These service bulletins are co-published as one 
document. This service information specifies determining the serial 
number of bolt P/N 369D21220, and if certain serial-numbered bolts are 
installed on a helicopter, contacting MDHI to schedule replacement of 
each affected bolt and reporting information. This service information 
also specifies returning removed parts to MDHI along with a completed 
Service Operation Report.
    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.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this AD after evaluating all of the relevant 
information and determining the unsafe condition described previously 
is likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removing each affected bolt P/N 
369D21220 from service at the next overhaul of the M/R assembly or 
within 3 months, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would also 
prohibit installing an affected bolt on any helicopter after the 
effective date of the proposed AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies reporting information and 
returning removed parts to MDHI, whereas this proposed AD would not 
require either of those actions. The service information specifies 
replacing the affected bolts within 12 months, whereas this proposed AD 
would require replacing the affected bolts within three months of the 
effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 767 
helicopters of U.S. registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD.
    Replacing a bolt would take about 0.25 work-hour and parts would 
cost about $178 for an estimated cost of $199 per bolt.
    According to MDHI, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this 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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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 above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 7258]]

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):

MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI): Docket No. FAA-2020-0064; Product 
Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by March 23, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 
369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters, certificated in any 
category, with a main rotor (M/R) hub lead-lag bolt (bolt) part 
number (P/N) 369D21220 with a serial number (S/N) listed in 
paragraph 1.B. of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin No. SB369D-223, 
SB369E-122, SB369F-110, SB369H-259, SB500N-060, or SB600N-073, each 
dated April 19, 2019, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC): 6200, Main Rotor System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of non-conforming bolts. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of a bolt. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of an M/R blade 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) At the next overhaul of the M/R assembly or within 3 months, 
whichever occurs first, remove from service each bolt with a P/N and 
S/N listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
helicopter a bolt with a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph (c) of this 
AD.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit may be permitted for a one-time ferry 
flight to an authorized repair facility.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority 
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 
request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards 
District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may 
be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Payman Soltani, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
California 90712; telephone 562-627-5313; email 
[email protected].
    (2) 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 https://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may view 
this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 817-222-5110.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 29, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-02450 Filed 2-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P