[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23688-23690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09415]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc.
Helicopters
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
certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. (BHT) Model 206A, 206B, and
206L helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing certain
part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This proposed AD
is prompted by a design review that revealed the control box chipset
did not meet the required temperature range requirements, which could
cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight
system. This condition could result in increased pilot workload during
a power loss emergency and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 21, 2013.
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
[[Page 23689]]
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 Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir,
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax
(450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may
review 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110;
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 proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
Transport Canada (TC), which is the aviation authority for Canada,
has issued TC AD No. CF-2012-19, dated June 12, 2012 (CF-2012-19), to
correct an unsafe condition for certain serial numbered BHT Model 206A,
206B, and 206L helicopters with an engine auto-relight kit control box
assembly (control box assembly) part number 206-375-017-101 or 206-375-
017-103 installed. TC advises that these control box assemblies have a
manufacturing defect which could disable the auto-relight system in the
event of an engine flameout, subsequently requiring the pilot to re-
start the engine manually. This condition could result in increased
pilot workload during a power loss emergency in-flight and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter. CF-2012-19 specifies replacing the
affected control boxes within 4 months to correct the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with Canada, TC, its technical representative,
has notified us of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are
proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information
and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop
on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
BHT has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-11-127 for
Model 206A and 206B helicopters and ASB No. 206L-11-167 for Model 206L
helicopters, both dated May 2, 2011. Both ASBs specify replacing the
affected control box assembly with an upgraded control box assembly.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require replacing the control box assembly
within 4 months.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,357 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs
in order to comply with this AD. If installed, replacing the control
box assembly would require about 2 work-hours at an average labor rate
of $85 per hour and required parts would cost about $18,974, for a cost
per helicopter of $19,144.
According to BHT's service information, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by
BHT. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
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:
[[Page 23690]]
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):
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc (BHT): Docket No. FAA-2013-0349;
Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in
any category:
(1) BHT Model 206A and 206B helicopters, all serial numbers (S/
N) except S/Ns 1, 2, and 3, with an engine auto-relight kit control
box assembly (control box assembly) part number (P/N) 206-375-017-
101 installed; and
(2) BHT Model 206L helicopters, S/N 45001 through 45153 and
46601 through 46617, with a control box assembly P/N 206-375-017-103
installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an inoperative control
box assembly. This condition could result in a disabled auto-relight
system, failure of the engine to relight after a flame-out,
increased pilot workload during a power loss emergency, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Reserved
(d) 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.
(e) Required Actions
Within 4 months, replace the control box assembly:
(1) For Model 206A and 206B helicopters, replace control box
assembly P/N 206-375-017-101 with a control box assembly P/N 206-
375-017-105.
(2) For Model 206L helicopters, replace control box assembly P/N
206-375-017-103 with a control box assembly P/N 206-375-017-107.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 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) Additional Information
(1) BHT Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-11-127 for Model
206A and 206B helicopters and ASB No. 206L-11-167 for Model 206L
helicopters, both dated May 2, 2011, which are not incorporated by
reference, contain additional information about the subject of this
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel,
Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450)
433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a
copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD
CF-2012-19, dated June 12, 2012.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7410: Ignition
Power Supply.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 11, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09415 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P