[Federal Register: October 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 199)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60203-60205]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc05-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 60203]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21680; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-48-AD;
Amendment 39-14341; AD 2005-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
206A, A-1, B, B-1, L, L-1, L-3, L-4 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) model helicopters
that requires, before the first flight of each day, checking the tail
rotor blade (blade) root doublers (doublers) for an edge void or de-
bond on both sides of each blade, and if an edge void or de-bond is
found, replacing the unairworthy blade with an airworthy blade. This AD
also requires replacing any affected serial-numbered blade with an
airworthy blade. This amendment is prompted by reports of de-bond of
the doublers due to inadequate surface preparation resulting in poor
adherence of the doublers. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent loss of a blade, loss of tail rotor control, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective November 21, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD
from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel,
Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450)
433-0272.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the
Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif
Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to
include an AD for the specified BHTC model helicopters was published in
the Federal Register on June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37060). That action
proposed to require, before the first flight of each day, checking the
blade doublers for an edge void or de-bond on both sides of each blade,
and if an edge void or de-bond is found, replacing the unairworthy
blade with an airworthy blade. Also, that action proposed to require
replacing any affected serial-numbered blade with an airworthy blade.
Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Model 206A, B, and L
series helicopters. Transport Canada advises that an inadequate surface
preparation on a limited number of blades resulted in two reported
instances of blade root doubler de-bond. They also advise that to
ensure blade integrity all suspected blades are to be checked daily
until removed from service.
BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 206-04-101 and 206L-04-
131, both dated September 13, 2004, which specify a daily check of the
doubler area to verify integrity of the doubler by a pilot as part of
the daily pre-flight check. The service bulletins also specify a
retirement from service of affected blades, which constitutes
terminating action. Transport Canada classified these service bulletins
as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-2004-25, dated November 23, 2004, to
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.
These helicopter models are now manufactured in Canada and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the
applicable bilateral agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, and
determined that AD action is necessary for products of these type
designs that are certificated for operation in the United States.
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.
The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 2,194 helicopters of
U.S. registry. The required actions will:
Take about \1/4\ work hour to do a daily check for blade
edge voids and de-bonds; and
Take about 4 work hours to replace a blade at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Cost about $5,848 for a replacement blade.
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD
on U.S. operators to be $201,058, assuming 26 blades are affected and
replaced and assuming 100 daily checks are done.
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
[[Page 60204]]
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, 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:
2005-21-03 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-14341.
Docket No. FAA-2005-21680; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-48-AD.
Applicability: Model 206A, A-1, B, B-1, L, L-1, L-3, L-4
helicopters, with tail rotor blade (blade), part number (P/N) 206-
016-201-131, serial numbers with a prefix of ``CS'' and 4820 through
4845, installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of a blade, loss of tail rotor control, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Before the first flight of each day, clean each blade and
visually check the blade root doublers for an edge void or de-bond
on both sides of each blade as depicted in Figure 1 of this AD. An
owner/operator (pilot), holding at least a private pilot
certificate, may perform this visual check and must enter compliance
with this paragraph into the helicopter maintenance records by
following 14 CFR sections 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v).
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(b) If an edge void or a de-bond is found, before further
flight, replace the blade with an airworthy blade with a serial
number other than those to which this AD applies.
(c) Within 100 hours time-in-service, replace all affected,
serial-numbered blades with airworthy blades with a serial number
other than those to which this AD applies.
Note 1: Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 206-
04-101 and 206L-04-131, both dated September 13, 2004, pertain to
the subject of this AD.
(d) Replacing an affected, serial-numbered blade with an
airworthy blade without an affected serial number contained in the
applicability section of this AD constitutes terminating action for
the requirements of this AD for that blade.
(e) 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 Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
for information about previously approved alternative methods of
compliance.
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where
the blade may be replaced provided that no doubler edge void or de-
bond is found during any check or inspection.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on November 21, 2005.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada,
Canada AD No. CF-2004-25, dated November 23, 2004.
[[Page 60205]]
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20677 Filed 10-14-05; 8:45 am]
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