[Federal Register: May 12, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 92)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 26325-26326]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12my04-10]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2004-SW-03-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
206L-1 and 206L-3 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive
(AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell)
helicopters. The AD would require a one-time inspection of the
adjustable stop screws of the magnetic brake assembly; repairing, as
appropriate, certain mechanical damage to the cyclic and collective
flight control magnetic brake arm assembly (arm assembly), if
necessary; and installing the stop screw with the proper adhesive,
adjusting the arm assembly travel and applying slippage marks. This
proposal is prompted by reports that the magnetic brake adjustable
screws have backed out, which limited travel of the arm assembly. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect loose
adjustable stop screws, that could result in limiting the travel of the
cyclic and collective arm assembly, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 12, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-SW-03-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically
to the Rules Docket at the following address: 9-asw-adcomments@faa.gov.
Comments may be inspected at the Office of the Regional Counsel between
9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Harrison, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5128, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals
contained in this document may be changed in light of the comments
received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed
comments submitted in response to this proposal must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made:
``Comments to Docket No. 2004-SW-03-AD.'' The postcard will be date
stamped and returned to the commenter.
Discussion
This document proposes adopting a new AD for Bell Model 206L-1 and
206L-3 helicopters with Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) Kit, part number
(P/N) 206-705-001, -101, or -103, installed, and all delivered spare
magnetic brakes, P/N 204-001-376-003, manufactured by Memcor Truohm,
Inc. (M.T. Inc.) as P/N MP 498-3, installed. The AD would require,
within 100 hours time-in-service or within 90 days, whichever occurs
first, and before installation of an affected magnetic brake, a one-
time inspection of the adjustable stop screws of the magnetic brake
assembly; repairing, as appropriate, certain mechanical damage to the
arm assembly, if necessary; and installing the stop screw with the
proper adhesive, adjusting the arm assembly travel and applying
slippage marks. This proposal is prompted by reports that the magnetic
brake adjustable screws have backed out, which limited travel of the
arm assembly. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
detect loose adjustable stop screws, that could result in limiting the
travel of the cyclic and collective arm assembly, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter.
Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Bell Model 206L-1 and
206L-3 helicopters with IFR Kit, P/N 206-705-001, -101, or -103,
installed, and all delivered spare magnetic brakes, P/N 204-001-376-
003, manufactured by Memcor Truohm, Inc. as P/N MP 498-3. Transport
Canada advises that the stop screws, P/N MS51959-3, of the magnetic
brake, P/N 204-001-376-003 (Memcor Truohm P/N MP 498-3), were installed
without the proper adhesive.
Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-01-122, dated
October 3, 2001, which specifies a one-time inspection of the magnetic
brake adjustable stop screw, P/N MS51959-3; repairing any arm assembly
mechanical damage created by the screws; and installing the stop screw
with the proper adhesive and adjusting the arm assembly shaft travel.
Transport Canada classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory
and issued AD No. CF-2002-16, dated March 4, 2002, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.
This helicopter model is manufactured in Canada and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the
applicable bilateral agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, and
determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
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type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
This previously described unsafe condition is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of the same type design registered in the
United States. Therefore, the proposed AD would require inspecting the
adjustable stop screws of the magnetic brake assembly, repairing
certain mechanical damage to the arm assembly, and installing the stop
screw with the proper adhesive, adjusting the arm assembly travel and
applying slippage marks. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the alert service bulletin described
previously.
The FAA estimates that 577 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $3,785. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $298,500, assuming
that 75 helicopters in the U.S. will require the actions described in
this AD.
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the economic
evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A
copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Docket No. 2004-SW-03-AD.
Applicability: Model 206L-1 and 206L-3 helicopters with
Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) Kit, part number (P/N) 206-705-001, -
101, or -103, and a magnetic brake, P/N 204-001-376-003,
manufactured by Memcor Truohm, Inc. (M.T. Inc.) as P/N MP 498-3,
installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service or 90
days, whichever occurs first, and before installation of any
affected magnetic brake, unless accomplished previously.
To detect loose adjustable stop screws, which could result in
limiting the travel of the cyclic and collective arm assembly, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Inspect and, if necessary, repair, adjust, and apply
slippage marks to the magnetic brake assembly by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 6. through 12., in Bell
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-01-122,
dated October 3, 2001, except if damage to the arm assembly exceeds
0.030 inch (0.762 mm), replace the magnetic brake assembly with an
airworthy magnetic brake assembly. Contacting the manufacturer is
not required.
(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
for information about previously approved alternative methods of
compliance.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
(Canada) AD No. CF-2002-16, dated March 4, 2002.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 3, 2004.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10745 Filed 5-11-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P