[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31609-31610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15264]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-10-AD; Amendment 39-10576; AD 98-12-22]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
407 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407
helicopters that requires shimming the tail rotor drive system bearing
supports (bearing supports). This amendment is prompted by reports of
cracked bearing hangar support arms in the area of the fillet radius.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
bearing supports, which could result in excessive tail rotor drive
system vibration, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective July 15, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 15, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir,
Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jurgen Priester, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
2601 Meacham
[[Page 31610]]
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, (817) 222-5159, fax (817) 222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to BHTC helicopters was published in
the Federal Register on April 1, 1998 (63 FR 15790). That action
proposed to require shimming the bearing supports within the next 25
hours time-in-service.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the
adoption of the rule as proposed except for small editorial change. The
FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the scope
of the AD nor increase the economic burden on any operator.
The FAA estimates that 160 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
helicopter to accomplish the shimming of the bearing support, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $30 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $43,200.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
AD 98-12-22 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-10576.
Docket No. 98-SW-10-AD.
Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000,
53002 through 53065, 53067, and 53069 through 53075, certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required within 25 hours time-in-service, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent failure of the bearing supports, which could result
in excessive tail rotor drive system vibration, loss of tail rotor
drive, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish
the following:
(a) Shim the tail rotor drive system bearing supports in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions contained in Bell
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-97-7, dated
February 27, 1997.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification
Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The shimming shall be done in accordance with Bell
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-97-7, dated
February 27, 1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec
JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 15, 1998.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
(Canada) AD No. CF-97-08, dated May 30, 1997.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 2, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15264 Filed 6-9-98; 8:45 am]
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