[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34958-34960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13797]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0500; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-45-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell),
Model Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for the Bell Model 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters.
The AD currently requires reidentifying each affected part-numbered
main rotor yoke (yoke) on its data plate, reducing the retirement life
of the reidentified yoke, and revising the Airworthiness Limitations
section of the maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICAs) accordingly. Since we issued the AD, we have
discovered that the affected yokes do not have a data plate, making
compliance with the part-marking requirements of the existing AD
impossible. This proposed AD would retain the current requirements with
the exception of the P/N marking location. The actions specified in
this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking of a yoke, failure of
the yoke, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 12, 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, 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 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, ASW-170, Aviation
Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification
Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817)
222-5170, fax (817) 222-5783, 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
[[Page 34959]]
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
On February 12, 2009, we issued AD 2009-05-09, Amendment 39-15833
(74 FR 11001, March 16, 2009), for Bell Model 412, 412CF, and 412EP
helicopters. The AD requires reidentifying each affected part-numbered
yoke based on whether it was ever installed on a Model 412CF helicopter
or on a Model 412 or 412EP helicopter with a slope landing kit. The AD
also requires reducing the retirement life of each reidentified yoke
from 5,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) to 4,500 hours TIS and revising
the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual or ICAs
accordingly. Finally, the AD requires recording each reidentified yoke
P/N and the reduced retirement life on the component history card or
equivalent record. The AD was prompted by a fatigue analysis that shows
that the retirement life should be reduced on certain yokes. Those
actions are intended to prevent fatigue cracking of a yoke, failure of
the yoke, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2009-05-09 (74 FR 11001, March 16, 2009), we
have discovered that the affected yokes do not have a data plate,
making compliance with the part-marking requirements of the existing AD
impossible. Bell determined the new P/N should be etched on the side of
the yoke rather than on the data plate and issued Revision A to Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 412-08-128 for the Bell Model 412 and 412EP
helicopters (ASB 412-08-128A) and ASB No. 412CF-08-35 for the Bell
Model 412CF helicopters (ASB 412CF-08-35A), both dated April 14, 2009.
Bell also determined the etched surface on the side of the yoke would
need to be treated with a chemical film and refinished after
reidentifying the P/N to protect the yoke from corrosion.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same type
designs.
Related Service Information
ASB 412-08-128A and ASB 412CF-08-35A contain procedures for
reidentifying the yoke by using a vibrating stylus to etch a new P/N on
the side of the yoke. These ASBs also specify recording the new P/N on
the component history card and reducing the retirement life of the
yoke.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would retain the current requirements of AD 2009-
05-09 (74 FR 11001, March 16, 2009), with the exception of the P/N
marking location. This proposed AD would require that the new P/N be
etched on the side of the yoke instead of on the data plate as required
by AD 2009-05-09. This action would also require treating the etched
surface on the side of yoke with a chemical film and refinishing the
yoke after reidentifying the P/N.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 115 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs
in order to comply with this AD. It would take about 3 work hours to
review and revise the records to reflect the new retirement life and
reidentify the P/N at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Based
on these estimates, the cost would be $255 per helicopter and $29,325
for the U.S. operator fleet. Replacing a yoke would take about 20 work
hours and $50,196 for the required parts for a cost of $51,896 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 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2009-05-09, Amendment 39-15833 (74
[[Page 34960]]
FR 11001, March 16, 2009), and adding the following new AD:
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0500; Directorate
Identifier 2012-SW-45-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model 412 and 412EP helicopters with a main
rotor yoke assembly (yoke), part number (P/N) 412-010-101-123, -127,
-129, or -133, installed; and Model 412CF helicopters with a yoke,
P/N 412-010-101-127 or -129, installed; certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as fatigue cracking of a
yoke, failure of the yoke, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2009-05-09, Amendment 39-15833 (74 FR
11001, March 16, 2009).
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time, unless it has been
accomplished previously.
(e) Required Actions
Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(1) Review the helicopter records to determine all of the
helicopter models on which an affected yoke has been installed since
its production and the hours TIS of each affected yoke.
(2) If an affected part-numbered yoke is installed or has ever
been installed on a Model 412CF helicopter or on a Model 412 or
412EP helicopter with a (BHT-412-SI-62) slope landing kit, P/N 412-
704-012-101, installed, do the following:
(i) Reidentify the P/N on the side of the yoke by using a
vibrating stylus and etching two lines through the last three digits
of the existing P/N and etching ``137FM'' adjacent to where you
etched through the last three digits of the original P/N. This
converts each affected yoke P/N to a new yoke P/N 412-010-101-137FM.
The serial number remains the same.
Note 1 to paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this AD: The ``FM'' P/N suffix
denotes a field-modified part.
(ii) Treat the etched surface with chemical film, and apply
primer and paint.
(iii) Record the reidentified P/N on the applicable component
history card or equivalent record.
(3) If you cannot determine all the model helicopters on which
an affected yoke has been installed since its production or whether
it has ever been installed on a Model 412 or 412EP helicopter with a
(BHT-412-SI-62) slope landing kit, P/N 412-704-012-101, installed,
perform the actions required by paragraphs (e)(2)(i) through
(e)(2)(iii) of this AD.
(4) For each reidentified yoke, P/N 412-010-101-137FM, reduce
the retirement life from 5,000 hours TIS to 4,500 hours TIS. Record
the revised life limit on the applicable component history card or
equivalent record.
(5) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
applicable maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by reducing the retirement life from 5,000 hours TIS
to 4,500 hours TIS for each reidentified yoke, P/N 412-010-101-
137FM.
(f) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits will not be issued.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Kohner,
ASW-170, Aviation Safety Engineer, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5170, fax (817) 222-5783; email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under 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.
(h) Additional Information
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletins No. 412-
08-128 and No. 412CF-08-35, both Revision A and both dated April 14,
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, 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
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor
Head.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 3, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-13797 Filed 6-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P