[Federal Register: February 10, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 27)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7016-7017]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10fe05-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2004-SW-07-AD; Amendment 39-13963; AD 2005-03-07]
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) for
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 407 helicopters that
requires creating a component history card or equivalent record for
each crosstube assembly, converting accumulated run-on landings to an
accumulated Retirement Index Number (RIN) count, and establishing a
maximum accumulated RIN for certain crosstube assemblies. This
amendment is prompted by fatigue testing, analysis, and evaluation by
the manufacturer that determined that run-on landings impose a high
stress on landing gear or crosstubes and may cause cracking in the area
above the skid tube saddle. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent fatigue failure in a crosstube assembly due to
excessive stress during run-on landings and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective March 17, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy 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 Bell Model 407 helicopters was published in the
Federal Register on August 4, 2004 (69 FR 47041). That action proposed
to require, before further flight, creating a component history card or
equivalent record for each crosstube assembly, converting accumulated
run-on landings to an accumulated RIN count, and establishing a
retirement life of 5,000 accumulated RIN for the affected crosstube
assemblies.
Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Bell Model 407
helicopters. Transport Canada advises that run-on landings impose high
stress on landing gear crosstubes, and to prevent possible crosstube
failure, the manufacturer has introduced the life limitation of 5,000
RIN. Further evaluation has confirmed the possibility that an extensive
training environment with run-on landings may impose high stress on
crosstubes. The same condition may result from repetitive landings with
forward travel with rotorcraft weight on the skids.
Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-03-59, dated October
15, 2003, which specifies assigning a RIN count to forward and aft
crosstube assemblies on Model 407 helicopters. Transport Canada
classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD No.
CF-2004-03, dated February 11, 2004, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.
This helicopter model is manufactured in Canada and is 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 this type design
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 319 helicopters of U.S.
registry and it will take approximately 4 work hours per helicopter to
replace the forward and aft crosstube assemblies at an average labor
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$6,670 per helicopter for both forward and aft low gear crosstube
assemblies, or $8,450 per helicopter for both forward and aft high gear
crosstube assemblies. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,210,670 to replace the
low gear crosstube assemblies on the entire fleet or $2,778,490 to
replace the high-gear crosstube assemblies on the entire fleet and
assuming the costs associated with creating and updating the historical
component card are negligible.
Regulatory Findings
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
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 economic 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 FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas.
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.
[[Page 7017]]
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:
2005-03-07 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell): Amendment 39-
13963. Docket No. 2004-SW-07-AD.
Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, with landing gear
crosstube assemblies, part number (P/N) 407-050-101-101 and -103; P/
N 407-050-102-101 and -103; P/N 407-050-201-101 and -103; P/N 407-
050-202-101 and -103; P/N 407-704-007-119; P/N 407-722-101; P/N 407-
723-104; P/N 407-724-101; or P/N 407-725-104, installed,
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applicability includes both Bell crosstube
assemblies and Bell's approved production and spare alternate
crosstube assemblies from Aeronautical Accessories Incorporated
(AAI).
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of the crosstube assembly and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Before further flight, create a component history card or
equivalent record for each crosstube assembly.
(b) Before further flight, determine and record the accumulated
Retirement Index Number (RIN) for each crosstube assembly as
follows:
(1) For each crosstube assembly, record one (1) RIN for every
run-on landing.
(2) For any crosstube assembly with an unknown number of run-on
landings, assume and record ten (10) RINs for each 100 hours TIS
since the crosstube assembly was installed (for example, 5,000 hours
of time-in-service equals 500 RIN).
(c) Replace any crosstube assembly on or before reaching 5,000
RIN.
Note 2: Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-
03-59, dated October 15, 2003, pertains to the subject of this AD.
(d) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
maintenance manual by establishing a retirement life of 5,000 RIN
for the affected crosstube assemblies.
(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 Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate,
FAA, for information about previously approved alternative methods
of compliance.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 2005.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
(Canada) AD No. CF-2004-03, dated February 11, 2004.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 24, 2005.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-2589 Filed 2-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P