[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44147-44149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17925]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0499; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-061-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters to require
inspecting the tail rotor control tube assembly (control tube) and
either repairing or replacing the control tube. This proposed AD is
prompted by two reports of failure of the control tube bonded clevis.
The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of a control tube
bonded clevis, which could lead to failure of the control tube and
subsequent loss of helicopter control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 29,
2014.
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 foreign
authority's 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
[[Page 44148]]
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: Matt Fuller, Senior 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 Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD No. CF-2013-30, dated
October 7, 2013, to correct an unsafe condition for BHTC Model 430
helicopters with control tube part number (P/N) 430-001-007-101. TCCA
advises of two cases concerning failures of the control tube bonded
clevis caused by cracking from control tube oscillation. TCCA states
that this situation, if not corrected, could result in the loss of
control of the helicopter. TCCA AD No. CF-2013-30 consequently requires
a one-time inspection of the control tube for damage and contacting
BHTC for evaluation of the control tube if the damage exceeds allowable
limits. If the tube is not damaged, the damage is within allowable
limits, or BHTC Engineering determines the control tube can be returned
to service, TCCA AD No. CF-2013-30 requires modifying the tube
according to BHTC's service information. TCCA AD No. CF-2013-30 also
requires replacing control tubes, P/N 430-001-007-101, with control
tube, P/N 430-001-007-105, no later than 12 months from the effective
date of its AD.
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, TCCA, 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
We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 430-13-51,
dated September 3, 2013 (ASB), which states that BHTC received two
reports of control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, failing because the
clevis failed due to fatigue caused by control tube oscillation. The
ASB specifies a one-time inspection of control tube assembly, P/N 430-
001-007-101, to verify if the tube has chaffing damage. Bell Helicopter
Technical Bulletin 430-04-35, Revision B, dated March 20, 2009,
recommends that control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, be replaced with
control tube, P/N 430-001-007-105, if damage exists.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require:
Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspecting
each control tube for damage, damage to the clevis, and to determine
whether the clevis is correctly bonded to the control tube.
If a control tube and clevis have no damage or damage
within acceptable limits and the clevis is correctly bonded to the
control tube, repairing the control tube by applying tape.
If the control tube or clevis is damaged beyond acceptable
limits or if the clevis is not correctly bonded, replacing control
tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, with control tube, P/N 430-001-007-105.
Within 250 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD,
replacing each control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, with control tube, P/
N 430-001-007-105.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the TCCA AD
The TCCA AD requires submitting sketches of a control tube damaged
beyond defined limits to BHTC for evaluation. BHTC then determines if
the control tube can be returned to service. We make no such
requirement in this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 5 helicopters of
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work hour. Based on
these estimates, expect the following costs:
The cost of inspecting the control tube would be minimal.
Repairing the control tube would require 2 work-hours for
a labor cost of $170.
Replacing control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, with control
tube, P/N 430-001-007-105, would require 3 work-hours for a labor cost
of $255. Parts would cost $3,974 for a total cost per helicopter of
$4,229.
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
[[Page 44149]]
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. Amend Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Docket No. FAA-2014-0499;
Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-061-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model
430 Helicopters, serial number 49001 through 49121, with control
tube assembly (control tube), part number (P/N) 430-001-007-101,
installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as fatigue failure of a
tail rotor control tube bonded clevis. This condition could result
in failure of the tail rotor control tube and subsequent loss of
helicopter control.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 29, 2014.
(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
(1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), visually inspect each
control tube for any damage, for any damage to the clevis, and to
determine whether the clevis is correctly bonded to the control
tube.
(i) If a control tube and clevis have no damage or damage within
acceptable limits and the clevis is correctly bonded to the control
tube, repair the control tube by applying tape in accordance the
Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 5, of Bell Helicopter Alert
Service Bulletin 430-13-51, dated September 3, 2013.
(ii) If the control tube or clevis is damaged beyond acceptable
limits or if the clevis is not correctly bonded to the control tube,
replace control tube, P/N 430-001-007-101, with control tube, P/N
430-001-007-105.
(2) Within 250 hours TIS, replace each control tube, P/N 430-
001-007-101, with control tube, P/N 430-001-007-105.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior 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 Helicopter Technical Bulletin 430-04-35, Revision B,
dated March 20, 2009, which is not incorporated by reference,
contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For
service information, 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.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in the Transport Canada
Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD No. CF-2013-30, dated October 7, 2013. You
may view the TCCA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2014-0499.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor
Control System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 18, 2014.
S. Frances Cox,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17925 Filed 7-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P