[Federal Register: November 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 224)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67805-67807]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22no04-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
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The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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[[Page 67805]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19613; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-38-AD;
Amendment 39-13870; AD 2004-23-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 helicopters. This action
requires reducing the life limit of certain Notar fan system tension-
torsion (TT) straps. This action also requires, at a specified time
interval, removing each affected TT strap from the helicopter, doing a
visual and x-ray inspection, and replacing any unairworthy part before
further flight. Reporting the discovery of any unairworthy TT strap is
also required. This amendment is prompted by two recent in-flight TT
strap failures. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent failure of a TT strap resulting in loss of directional control
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective December 7, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 7, 2004.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 21, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically;
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590;
Fax: (202) 493-2251; or
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from MD
Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell
Rd., Mail Stop M615-GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-
388-3378, fax 480-891-6782, or on the Web at http://www.mdhelicopters.com.
You may examine this information 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments, and
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person
at the Docket Management System (DMS) Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the
Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address
stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Durbin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe
Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone
(562) 627-5233, fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD applicable to
MDHI Model MD900 helicopters with a TT strap, part number (P/N)
900R3442009-103, 900R6442009-103, 900R3442009-101, or 500N5311-5,
installed. This action requires:
Before further flight, for TT strap, P/N 900R3442009-103
and 900R6442009-103, reducing the life limit from 3034 to 2500 hours
time-in-service (TIS);
Within 10 hours TIS, for any TT strap that has accumulated
1190 or more hours TIS, doing a visual and x-ray inspection of each TT
strap and replacing any unairworthy part before further flight;
Before the TT strap accumulates 1200 hours TIS, for any TT
strap with less than 1190 hours TIS, doing a visual and x-ray
inspection of each strap and replacing any unairworthy part before
further flight; and
Within 7 days, reporting information about any unairworthy
TT strap to Roger Durbin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5233, fax (562) 627-
5210.
This amendment is prompted by two recent in-flight TT strap failures.
The cause of the failures is not known at this time, and this AD is
interim action. We will consider further rulemaking once our
investigation is complete. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to prevent failure of a TT strap resulting in loss of
directional control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
We have reviewed MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB-900-095, dated
November 3, 2004. The service bulletin advises of the reduction of the
TT strap life limit and describes procedures for performing an
inspection of each TT strap for nicks, cuts, cracks, or wear.
Procedures for a Level II or higher X-Ray Technician to do and
interpret an x-ray inspection of each TT strap for progressive fiber
fractures are also included in the service bulletin.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this AD is being issued
to prevent failure of a TT strap resulting in loss of directional
control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD
requires, before further flight, reducing the life limit of
[[Page 67806]]
certain part-numbered TT straps. This AD also requires, depending on
the hours accumulated on the TT strap, doing a visual and x-ray
inspection within 10 hours TIS or before the accumulation of 1200 hours
TIS and replacing any unairworthy part before further flight. Reporting
the discovery of any unairworthy TT strap is also required.
Accomplishing the inspections in accordance with the previously
described service bulletin is required. The short compliance time
involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe
condition can adversely affect the controllability of the helicopter.
Therefore, reducing the TT strap life limit before further flight,
inspecting each TT strap at the specified time interval, and reporting
information about any unairworthy TT strap is required within 7 days,
and this AD must be issued immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
We estimate that this AD will affect 31 helicopters. It will take
approximately 7 work hours for each inspection and replacement at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. It will also cost $100 for
each x-ray inspection. Required parts will cost approximately $757 per
TT strap replacement. Based on these figures, we estimate the total
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $40,672 (assuming a
visual and x-ray inspection on each helicopter and a TT strap
replacement on 8% of the fleet).
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19613;
Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-38-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light
of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our docket
web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You may
review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov
.
We have determined that 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 the 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. 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. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2004-23-15 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-13870. Docket No. FAA-
2004-19613; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-38-AD.
Applicability: Model MD900 helicopters, with a Notar fan system
that has a tension-torsion (TT) strap, part number (P/N)
900R3442009-103, 900R6442009-103, 900R3442009-101, or 500N5311-5,
installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of a TT strap in the Notar fan system, which
could result in loss of directional control and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight, for TT straps, P/N 900R3442009-103
and 900R6442009-103, reduce the life limit from 3034 to 2500 hours
time-in-service (TIS).
(b) Within 10 hours TIS, for any TT strap that has accumulated
1190 or more hours TIS, remove the TT strap from the helicopter and
do a visual and x-ray inspection in accordance with the Inspection
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(1). through (5). and Figures 1 and 2 of
MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-095, dated November 3, 2004
(SB). Replace any unairworthy part before further flight.
(c) Before the TT strap accumulates 1200 hours TIS, for any TT
strap with less than 1190 hours TIS, remove the TT strap from the
helicopter and do a visual and x-ray inspection in accordance with
the Inspection Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(1). through (5). and
Figures 1 and 2 of the SB. Replace any unairworthy part before
further flight.
(d) The x-ray inspection of the TT strap must be performed by a
Level II or higher x-ray technician who is qualified under the
guidelines established by MIL-STD-410E, ATA Specification 105, AIA-
NAS-410, or an FAA-accepted equivalent for qualification standards.
(e) Within 7 days, for any TT strap that you find unairworthy,
report the helicopter serial number (S/N), the TT strap P/N and S/N,
the total hours TIS on the TT strap, and a description of the part
condition rendering it unairworthy. Report the information to Roger
Durbin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5233, fax (562) 627-
5210.
(f) Information collection requirements contained in this AD
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
(g) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the TT strap, P/N
900R3442009-103 and 900R6442009-103, from 3034 hours TIS to 2500
hours TIS.
(h) 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 Los Angeles Aircraft Certification, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, for information about previously approved
alternative methods of compliance.
(i) The inspections shall be done in accordance with MD
Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-095, dated November 3, 2004. The
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by
reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
[[Page 67807]]
part 51. Copies may be obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., Attn:
Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615-
GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-
891-6782, or on the web at http://www.mdhelicopters.com. Copies may be
inspected 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
(j) This amendment becomes effective on December 7, 2004.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 10, 2004.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-25542 Filed 11-19-04; 8:45 am]
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