[Federal Register: October 13, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 197)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 59636-59637]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13oc05-8]
[[Page 59636]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22634; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-12-AD;
Amendment 39-14335; AD 2005-20-38]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 212, 412,
and 412EP Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the specified Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) model helicopters modified
with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI), Supplemental Type
Certificate (STC) SH2820SO or that have the affected AAI Parts
Manufacturer Approval (PMA) parts installed. This action requires
inspecting a certain part-numbered reservoir assembly adapter (adapter)
for the counter bore depth (dimension D). If the dimension D of the
adapter exceeds .860 inch, before further flight, this AD requires
replacing the reservoir assembly and adapter with airworthy parts. This
amendment is prompted by a report of a rupture of an adapter during
nitrogen charging because of inadequate wall thickness for the
operating pressures. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent the rupture of an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of pressurized
gas from the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent injury to occupants or
damage to the helicopter.
DATES: Effective October 28, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 28, 2005.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before December 12, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically;
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590;
Fax: (202) 493-2251; or
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P. O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee
37625-3689.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments, and
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person
at the Docket Management System (DMS) Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the
Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address
stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5177, fax (817) 222-
5783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for the
specified Bell model helicopters modified with an AAI STC SH2820SO or
with AAI PMA reservoir assembly or adapter installed. This action
requires a one-time inspection of the adapter counter bore depth. If
the counter bore depth dimension exceeds .860 inch, this AD requires
replacing the reservoir assembly and adapter with airworthy parts
before further flight. This amendment is prompted by a report of a
rupture of an adapter on a Bell Model 412 helicopter during nitrogen
charging. The assembly adapter ruptured, and the pressurized nitrogen
gas jetted out of the nitrogen bottle in the helicopter and caused
significant damage. The rupture occurred because the adapter had
inadequate fracture strength because the counter bore was too large,
which produced insufficient wall thickness for the operating pressures.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in rupture of an
adapter, uncontrolled jetting of pressurized gas from the nitrogen
bottle, and subsequent injury to occupants or damage to the helicopter.
We have reviewed AAI Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-05005, Revision
A, dated June 27, 2005 (ASB), for Bell Model 212/412/412EP helicopters
with the reservoir assembly, part number (P/N) 212-372-050, and the
adapter, P/N 212-371-002, installed. The ASB describes procedures for
discharging the floatation system, inspecting the counter bore depth of
the adapter (dimension D), recharging the floatation system, and
specifies replacing the assembly and adapter if the dimension D exceeds
.860. The ASB states that the adapter located between the neck of the
reservoir assembly and the inflation valve may have been manufactured
incorrectly resulting in a weakened condition that could lead to the
rupture of the adapter fitting while under pressure.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type designs modified with AAI STC SH2820SO or
that has the affected PMA P/N installed. Therefore, this AD is being
issued to prevent the rupture of an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of
pressurized gas from the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent injury to
occupants or damage to the helicopter. This AD requires the following:
Within 24 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the next
emergency floatation supply bottle nitrogen charging, whichever occurs
first, for the reservoir assembly, P/N 212-372-050, and the adapter, P/
N 212-371-002, do the following:
Discharge the nitrogen from the reservoir assembly.
Remove the valve assembly and air line from the adapter,
and inspect the dimension D.
If the dimension D does not exceed .860 inch, recharge the
floatation system.
If the dimension D exceeds .860 inch, before further
flight, replace the reservoir assembly and the adapter with airworthy
parts.
Accomplish the actions in accordance with the specified portions of
the service bulletin described previously. The short compliance time
involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe
condition can damage the helicopter and injure its occupants as well as
render the floatation system inoperative. Therefore, inspecting the
counter bore depth of the adapter is required within 24 hours TIS or
before the next emergency floatation supply bottle nitrogen charging,
whichever occurs first. Because this is a very short compliance time,
this AD must be issued immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
[[Page 59637]]
We estimate that this AD will affect 100 helicopters. Discharging
the system, inspecting the dimension D of the adapter, replacing the
reservoir assembly and adapter, and recharging the system will take
about 2 work hours at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Required parts will cost about $5095 to replace the reservoir assembly
and adapter per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $522,500, assuming
the reservoir assembly and adapter must be replaced on the entire
fleet.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22634;
Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-12-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light
of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without
change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you
provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search
function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to
any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the
comment. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 above, I certify that the 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); 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.
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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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
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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2005-20-38 Bell Helicopter Textron: Amendment 39-14335. Docket No.
FAA-2005-22634; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-12-AD.
Applicability
Model 212, 412, and 412EP helicopters modified with Aeronautical
Accessories, Inc. (AAI), Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SH2820SO; or with AAI Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) reservoir
assembly, part number (P/N) 212-372-050; or with adapter, P/N 212-
371-002, installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance
Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent rupture of an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of
pressurized gas from the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent injury to
occupants or damage to the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 24 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the
next emergency floatation supply bottle nitrogen charging, whichever
occurs first, do the following:
(1) Vent the nitrogen from the reservoir assembly by following
the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II--Floatation System
Discharging, of AAI Alert Service Bulletin ASB No. AA-05005,
Revision A, dated June 27, 2005 (ASB).
(2) Remove the valve assembly and air line from the adapter, and
inspect the counter bore depth (dimension D) as shown in Figure 1 of
the ASB.
(i) If dimension D, as depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB, does not
exceed .860 inch, recharge the floatation system by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part III--Floatation System Charging,
and referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the ASB.
(ii) If dimension D, as depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB, exceeds
.860 inch, replace the reservoir assembly and the adapter with
airworthy parts before further flight.
(b) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, for information
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(c) Discharging and recharging the floatation system and
inspecting the counter bore depth dimension of the adapter shall be
done in accordance with the specified portions of Aeronautical
Accessories, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-05005, Revision A,
dated June 27, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register approved
this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aeronautical
Accessories, Inc., P. O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee 37625-3689.
Copies may be inspected at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on October 28, 2005.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 30, 2005.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20324 Filed 10-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P