[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1730-1731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31586]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0601; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-033-AD;
Amendment 39-17306; AD 2012-26-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B
helicopters with certain starter/generator power cable assemblies
(power cable assemblies). This AD requires replacing the power cable
assemblies and their associated parts, and performing continuity
readings. This AD was prompted by the determination that the power
cable assembly connector (connector) can deteriorate, causing a short
in the connector that may lead to a fire in the starter/generator,
smoke in the cockpit that reduces visibility, and subsequent loss of
helicopter control.
DATES: This AD is effective February 13, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 13,
2013.
ADDRESSES: 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 the referenced service information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth Texas 76137.
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, any incorporated-by-reference
service information, the economic evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On June 13, 2012, at 77 FR 35306, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to BHTI Model 205A, 205A-
1, and 205B helicopters with power cable assemblies, part numbers (P/N)
205-075-902-017 and P/N 205-075-911-007, installed. That NPRM proposed
to require replacing the power cable assemblies and their associated
parts, and performing continuity readings. The proposed requirements
were intended to prevent a short in the connector that may lead to a
fire in the starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit that reduces
visibility, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 35306, June 13,
2012).
FAA's Determination
We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of these same type designs and that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information
We have reviewed BHTI Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 205-07-94,
Revision A, dated December 8, 2008, for Model 205A and 205A-1
helicopters; and BHTI ASB No. 205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008, for
the Model 205B helicopter. These ASBs describe procedures for replacing
the power cable assemblies and associated parts. The ASBs specify that
operators can obtain a starter/generator cable kit that contains the
required replacement parts.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 31 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The actions will take about 10 work-hours per helicopter to
accomplish at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Required
parts will cost about $12,654
[[Page 1731]]
for the power cable assembly replacement kit. Based on these figures,
the cost of the AD on U.S. operators will be $13,504 per helicopter, or
$418,624 for the fleet.
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
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2012-26-11 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.: Amendment 39-17306; Docket
No. FAA-2012-0601; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-033-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) Model
205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters with starter/generator power
cable assemblies (power cable assemblies), part number (P/N) 205-
075-902-017 and P/N 205-075-911-007 installed, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as the power cable assembly
connector (connector) deterioration, which can cause a short in the
connector potentially leading to a fire in the starter/generator. A
fire would result in smoke in the cockpit, reducing visibility, and
risking loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective February 13, 2013.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished
previously.
(e) Required Actions
Within six months, replace the power cable assemblies using the
parts contained in starter/generator kit P/N CT205-07-94-1, perform
a continuity test, and connect wires to the starter generator as
follows:
(1) For Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, follow the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2 through 16(c), of BHTI
Alert Service Bulletin No. 205-07-94, Revision A, dated December 8,
2008.
(2) For the Model 205B helicopters, follow the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraphs 2 through 16(c), of BHTI Alert Service
Bulletin No. 205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2497, electrical
power system wiring.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 205-
07-94, Revision A, dated December 8, 2008.
(ii) Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No.
205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008.
(3) For Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. 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/.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference 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/cfr/index.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 20, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-31586 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
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