[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58794-58796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23457]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1016; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-009-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
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
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 412 and 412EP helicopters.
This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracking in the swashplate
outer ring assemblies (outer ring). This AD would establish a lower
life limit on certain outer rings, requiring a revision of the
retirement life on the components' history card or equivalent record,
and a revision of the maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA). This proposal also would prohibit installing these
outer rings on any helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to
prevent failure of an outer ring because of cracking, which could lead
to the loss of main rotor (M/R) blade pitch control and subsequent loss
of helicopter control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 23,
2012.
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 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 proposed 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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5447;
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
[[Page 58795]]
proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
This proposal is prompted by a report of fatigue cracking in the
outer ring, part number (P/N) 412-010-407-105. The outer ring
previously had a life limit of 10,000 hours TIS, but Bell has
recommended reducing the outer ring retirement life to 2,500 hours TIS.
Cracking in the outer ring can lead to loss of cyclic and collective
pitch control of the main rotor blades and loss of helicopter control.
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.
Related Service Information
We have reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 412-08-
131, Revision B, dated October 29, 2009 (ASB), which describes
procedures for establishing a new retirement life for the outer ring
and replacing the outer ring at 2,500 hours TIS.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require the following:
Within 30 days, establish a new retirement life of 2,500
hours TIS for outer ring P/N 412-010-407-105, and record this on the
component history card or equivalent record. Within the same time
period, make pen-and-ink changes or insert a copy of the AD into the
Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable maintenance manual
or ICA.
Within 300 hours TIS, for any affected outer ring that has
2,200 or more hours TIS on the effective date of the proposed AD,
replace the outer ring with an airworthy outer ring.
Within 12 months, for any affected outer ring, regardless
of the number of hours TIS, replace the outer ring with an airworthy
outer ring. The installation of outer ring, P/N 412-010-407-105, would
be prohibited on any helicopter.
Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information
The ASB sets a calendar date for compliance. This proposed AD does
not.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 143 helicopters. We
estimate that it would take about one work-hour to revise the component
history card or equivalent record, as well as the maintenance manual or
ICA, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour, for a total cost of
$85 per helicopter and $12,155 for the U.S. operator fleet. Replacing
an outer ring would take 26 work-hours and required parts would cost an
estimated $25,725. Based on these figures, we calculate the total cost
to be $27,935 per helicopter to replace an outer ring.
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
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BELL): Docket No. FAA-2012-1016;
Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-009-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, with a
swashplate outer ring assembly (outer ring), part number (P/N) 412-
010-407-105, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as cracking in the outer
ring, which could result in the loss of main rotor (M/R) blade pitch
control and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
(c) 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.
(d) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days, establish a retirement life of 2,500 hours
time-in-service (TIS) for any affected outer ring on the component
history card or equivalent record. Revise the helicopter
Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable maintenance
manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by
establishing the new retirement life by making pen and ink changes
or inserting a copy of this AD into the maintenance manual or the
ICAs.
(2) For any affected outer ring that, on the effective date of
this AD, has 2,200 or more hours TIS, within 300 hours TIS, replace
the outer ring with an airworthy outer ring.
(3) Within 12 months, for any affected outer ring, regardless of
the number of hours TIS, replace the outer ring with an airworthy
outer ring.
(4) Do not install outer ring, P/N 412-010-407-105, on any
helicopter.
(e) Special flight permit
No special flight permits will be issued for any helicopter
installed with outer ring, P/N 412-010-407-105, if the outer ring
has 2,500 hours or more TIS.
[[Page 58796]]
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate,
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-
5447; 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.
(g) Additional Information
(1) Removal and installation instructions, as well as M/R
assembly track and balance procedures, are contained in Bell manuals
BHT-412-MM and BHT-412-CR&O. Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin
No. 412-08-131, Revision B, dated October 29, 2009, contains
additional information about the subject of this AD. None of these
documents is incorporated by reference.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor
Mast/Swashplate.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 14, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23457 Filed 9-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P