[Federal Register: November 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 224)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65443-65445]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no07-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0176; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-14-AD;
Amendment 39-15263; AD 2007-23-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
206A and 206B Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 206A and 206B helicopters. This
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The aviation authority of Canada,
with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:
Reevaluation of the structural analysis indicates the need for
the removal from service of bolts in this application.
The removal of certain main rotor latch bolts is required because these
bolts do not have a mandatory retirement life. Further evaluation has
shown that these bolts fail prematurely due to fatigue. This fatigue
failure may result in failure of the main rotor and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter. We are issuing this AD to require actions to
correct this unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 6, 2007.
We must receive comments on this AD by January 22, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://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 U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 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
; 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 economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The AD may contain text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Airworthiness Directive No. CF-2006-23R1, dated March 12, 2007
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for these Canadian-certificated products.
The MCAI states:
Reevaluation of the structural analysis indicates the need for
the removal from service of bolts in this application.
The removal of certain main rotor latch bolts is required because these
bolts do not have a mandatory retirement life. Further evaluation has
shown that these bolts fail prematurely due to fatigue. This fatigue
failure may result in failure of the main rotor and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter. We are issuing this AD to require actions to
correct this unsafe condition on these products.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bell Helicopter Textron has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-
06-109, dated July 25, 2006. The actions described in this MCAI are
intended to correct the same unsafe condition identified in the service
information.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, we have been
notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and the
referenced service information. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design. The removal of certain bolts is required within 30 days
because these bolts do not have a mandatory retirement life. Further
evaluation has shown that these bolts fail prematurely due to fatigue.
This fatigue failure may result in failure of the main rotor and
subsequent loss of the helicopter. We are issuing this AD to require
actions to correct this unsafe condition on these products.
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
[[Page 65444]]
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in the ``Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI''
section within the AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the
affected bolts may fail prematurely due to fatigue. This fatigue
failure may result in failure of the main rotor and subsequent loss of
the helicopter. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity
for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that
good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30
days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0176; Directorate
Identifier 2007-SW-14-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Cost of Compliance
We estimate this proposed AD would affect about 1463 products of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 work hours
per helicopter to replace affected bolts if not done as part of the
scheduled main rotor hub disassembly. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $1414 per helicopter. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $2,770,992, or $1894 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 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 this AD:
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 and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 AD:
2007-23-17 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-15263.
Docket No. FAA-2007-0176; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-14-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December
6, 2007.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 206A and 206B helicopters, up to
and including serial number 3216, with a main rotor latch bolt, part
number 206-010-169-001, 206-010-169-003, or 206-011-122-003,
certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Reevaluation of the structural analysis indicates the need for
the removal from service of bolts in this application.
The removal of certain main rotor latch bolts is required because
these bolts do not have a mandatory retirement life. Further
evaluation has shown that these bolts fail prematurely due to
fatigue. This fatigue failure may result in failure of the main
rotor and subsequent loss of the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 30 days, remove from service each main rotor latch
bolt that has a P/N that is included in the applicability of this AD
and replace it with an airworthy bolt.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) None.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code: 6200 Main
Rotor System.
Other Information
(h) The following information also applies to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Sharon
Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Guidance Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817)
222-5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
[[Page 65445]]
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the
information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(i) Mandatory continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive No. CF-2006-23-R1, dated
March 12, 2007, and Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin
No. 206-06-109, dated July 25, 2006, contain related information.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 2, 2007.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22415 Filed 11-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P