[Federal Register: August 29, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 167)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51095-51096]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29au06-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 51095]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24631; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-01-AD;
Amendment 39-14739; AD 2006-18-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 helicopters, that
currently requires reducing the life limit of certain Notar fan system
tension-torsion (TT) straps. That existing AD also requires, at a
specified time interval, removing each affected TT strap from the
helicopter, doing a visual and X-ray inspection, and replacing any
unairworthy part before further flight. This amendment requires the
same actions as the existing AD, but also requires revising the life
limit on the component history card or equivalent record and doing
repetitive visual and X-ray inspections, and removes reporting
requirements. This amendment is prompted by two in-flight TT strap
failures. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
failure of a TT strap, loss of directional control, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective October 3, 2006.
The incorporation by reference of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin
SB900-095, dated November 3, 2004, was approved previously by the
Director of the Federal Register as of December 7, 2004 (69 FR 67806,
November 22, 2004).
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD
from MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E.
McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-
800-388-3378, fax 480-346-6813, or on the web at http://www.mdhelicopters.com
.
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: Roger Durbin, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe
Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone
(562) 627-5233, fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
superseding AD 2004-23-15, Amendment 39-13870 (69 FR 67805, November
22, 2004), for MDHI Model MD900 helicopters, was published in the
Federal Register on May 10, 2006 (71 FR 27212). The action proposed to
require the following for MDHI Model MD900 helicopters with a TT strap,
part number (P/N) 900R3442009-103, 900R6442009-103, 900R3442009-101, or
500N5311-5, installed:
Before further flight, unless accomplished previously, for
TT strap, P/N 900R3442009-103 and 900R6442009-103, reducing the life
limit from 3,034 to 2,500 hours TIS and revising the life limit on the
component history card or equivalent record;
Within 10 hours TIS, unless accomplished previously, and
then at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS, for any TT strap that
has accumulated 1,190 or more hours TIS, doing a visual and X-ray
inspection of each TT strap and replacing any unairworthy TT strap
before further flight; and
Before the TT strap accumulates 1,200 hours TIS, and then
at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS, for any TT strap with less
than 1,190 hours TIS, doing a visual and X-ray inspection of each strap
and replacing any unairworthy TT strap before further flight.
At the time that we issued AD 2004-23-15, the cause of the TT strap
failures was not known, and that AD was considered interim action. The
actions required by this AD are also are interim actions, because the
cause of the failures is still unknown and the investigation is
ongoing. We will consider further rulemaking once our investigation is
complete.
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, with one change--contact information
for the FAA has been added to paragraph (f) of the AD. The FAA has
determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden
on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 31 helicopters of U.S.
registry, and the required actions will take approximately 7 work hours
for each visual inspection and replacement at an average labor rate of
$65 per work hour. Because you must remove the TT strap to inspect it,
there is no additional labor cost for replacing the TT strap. It will
also cost $100 for each X-ray inspection. Required parts will cost
about $757 to replace each strap. Based on these figures, we estimate
the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators to be $168,950 in
the first year (assuming a total of 5 TT straps are replaced per
helicopter and 3 visual inspections and 3 X-ray inspections are
conducted the first year for each helicopter).
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
[[Page 51096]]
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 removing Amendment 39-13870 (69 FR
67805, November 22, 2004), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), Amendment 39-14739, to read as follows:
2006-18-01 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-14739. Docket No. FAA-
2006-24631; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-01-AD. Supersedes AD
2004-23-15, Amendment 39-13870, Docket No. FAA-2004-19613,
Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-38-AD.
Applicability: Model MD900 helicopters, with a Notar fan system
that has a tension-torsion (TT) strap, part number (P/N)
900R3442009-103, 900R6442009-103, 900R3442009-101, or 500N5311-5,
installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated.
To prevent failure of a TT strap in the Notar fan system, loss
of directional control, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight, unless accomplished previously, for
TT Straps, P/N 900R3442009-103 and 900R6442009-103, reduce the life
limit from 3,034 to 2,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) and revise the
life limit on the component history card or equivalent record to
reflect this reduced retirement life.
(b) Within 10 hours TIS, unless accomplished previously, for any
TT strap that has accumulated 1,190 or more hours TIS, and then at
intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS, remove the TT strap from the
helicopter and do a visual and an X-ray inspection in accordance
with the Inspection Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(1). through (5).,
and Figures 1 and 2 of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-095,
dated November 3, 2004 (SB). Replace any unairworthy TT strap before
further flight.
(c) Before the TT strap accumulates 1,200 hours TIS, for any TT
strap with less than 1,190 hours TIS, and then at intervals not to
exceed 300 hours TIS, remove the TT strap from the helicopter and do
a visual and an X-ray inspection in accordance with the Inspection
Instructions, paragraph 2.B.(1). through (5)., and Figures 1 and 2
of the SB. Replace any unairworthy TT strap before further flight.
(d) The X-ray inspection of the TT strap must be performed by a
Level II or higher X-ray technician who is qualified under the
guidelines established by MIL-STD-410E, ATA Specification 105, AIA-
NAS-410, or an FAA-accepted equivalent for qualification standards.
(e) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the TT straps, P/N
900R3442009-103 and 900R6442009-103, from 3,034 hours TIS to 2,500
hours TIS. Additionally, this AD revises the Airworthiness
Limitations section of the maintenance manual by adding repetitive
inspection requirements at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS for
TT straps, P/N 900R3442009-103, 900R6442009-103, 900R3442009-101,
and 500N5311-5, that have 1,200 or more hours TIS until the TT strap
reaches its retirement life.
(f) 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 Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification, FAA, ATTN:
Roger Durbin, Aviation Safety Engineer, Airframe Branch, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-
5233, fax (562) 627-5210, for information about previously approved
alternative methods of compliance.
(g) The X-ray inspection shall be done in accordance with the
specified portions of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-095,
dated November 3, 2004. The incorporation by reference of that
document was approved previously by the Director of the Federal
Register, in accordance with 5 U. S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, as
of December 7, 2004 (69 FR 67806, November 22, 2004). Copies may be
obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division,
4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734,
telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-346-6813, or on the web at http://www.mdhelicopters.com.
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_[fxsp0]register/code--of--federal--
regulations[fxsp0]/ibr--locations.html.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on October 3, 2006.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 22, 2006.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-14291 Filed 8-28-06; 8:45 am]
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