[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34280-34282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13481]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0488; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
(Bell) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
[[Page 34281]]
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bell Model 206B and 206L helicopters. This proposed AD would
require installing a placard beneath the engine power dual tachometer
and revising the operating limitations section of the rotorcraft flight
manual (RFM). This proposed AD is prompted by several incidents of
third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by
excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state
operations. The proposed actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid
certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure
of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 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 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: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management 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-2007-13R2, dated November 10, 2009, to correct
an unsafe condition for certain Model 206B (including those converted
from Model 206A) and 206L helicopters. TC advises of several failures
of third stage turbine wheels used in Rolls Royce 250-C20 engines.
According to TC, Rolls Royce has determined that detrimental vibrations
can occur within a particular range of turbine speeds, and may be a
contributing factor to these failures. Bell has revised the operating
limitations of the RFM and provided a corresponding decal on the
instrument panel to inform pilots to avoid steady-state operations
between 75% and 88% turbine speeds.
The TC AD requires amending the RFMs, advising pilots of the
change, and installing a decal as described in Bell Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-07-115, Revision C, dated February 4, 2009, for
Model 206B helicopters (ASB 206-07-115) and Bell ASB No. 206L-07-146,
Revision B, dated March 3, 2009, for Model 206L helicopters (ASB 206L-
07-146).
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
Bell has issued ASB 206-07-115 and ASB 206L-07-146, which contain
procedures for installing a placard on the instrument panel below the
main rotor RPM (Nr)/power turbine RPM (N2) dual tachometer and for
inserting the RFM changes into the flight manual.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require installing a placard on the
instrument panel below the NR/N2 dual tachometer and revising the
Operating Limitations sections of the Model 206B and 206L RFMs to limit
steady-state operations between speeds of 75% and 88%.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the TC AD
The TC AD requires compliance within 10 calendar days, the proposed
AD would require compliance within 30 days.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 970 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per hour, we
estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD. Amending the RFM would require about 0.5 work-
hours, for a cost per helicopter of about $43 and a cost to U.S.
operators of $41,710. Installing the decal would require about 0.2
work-hours and required parts would cost $20, for a cost per helicopter
of $37 and a cost to U.S. operators of $35,890. Based on these
estimates, the total cost of this proposed AD would be $80 per
helicopter and $77,600 for the U.S. operator fleet.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue
[[Page 34282]]
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
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 Limited (BELL): Docket No. FAA-2013-
0488; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-002-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in
any category:
(1) Bell Model 206B, serial number (S/N) 004 through 4675,
including helicopters converted from Model 206A; and
(2) Bell Model 206L, S/N 45001 through 45153, and 46601 through
46617.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a third stage turbine
vibration, which could result in turbine failure, engine power loss,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by August 6, 2013.
(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 30 days:
(1) For Model 206B helicopters:
(i) Revise the Operating Limitations section of the Model 206B
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting Section 1, Operating
Limitations, page 1-2A, of Bell BHT-206B-FM-1, revision B-50, dated
December 8, 2008.
(ii) Remove placard part number (P/N) 230-075-213-121, if
installed.
(iii) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-125, or equivalent, on the
instrument panel directly below the dual tachometer.
(2) For Model 206L helicopters:
(i) Revise the Operating Limitations section of the Model 206L
RFM by inserting Section 1, Operating Limitations, page 1-4B, of
Bell BHT-206L-FM-1, revision 28, dated December 8, 2008.
(ii) Remove placard P/N 230-075-213-123, if installed.
(ii) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-127, or equivalent, on the
instrument panel below the dual tachometer.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management 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) Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-07-115, Revision
C, dated February 4, 2009, and Bell ASB No. 206L-07-146, Revision B,
dated March 3, 2009, 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
No. CF-2007-13R2, dated December 9, 2009.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7250: Turbine
Section.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13481 Filed 6-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P