[Federal Register: October 22, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 203)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 59475-59477]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc07-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 59475]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0055; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-12-AD;
Amendment 39-15237; AD 2007-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
206A and 206B Series Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 206A and 206B series
helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The aviation
authority of Canada, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states
in the MCAI:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation into
an accident involving Model 206B has revealed that the Spindle
repaired by Cadorath Aerospace Inc., failed during flight resulting
in loss of control of the helicopter. A similar repair was performed
by H-S Tools & Parts Inc.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address this unsafe
condition related to certain repaired transmission pylon support
spindles.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 6, 2007.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 21, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
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:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Airworthiness Directive No. CF-2007-02R1, dated August 23, 2007
(referred to after this as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for the specified products. The MCAI states:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation into
an accident involving Model 206B has revealed that the Spindle
repaired by Cadorath Aerospace Inc., failed during flight resulting
in loss of control of the helicopter. A similar repair was performed
by H-S Tools & Parts Inc.
All serial-numbered spindles that were repaired by Cadorath
Aerospace, Inc., and H-S Tools & Parts, Inc., have reduced strength
which could result in failure of the spindle and create an unsafe
condition.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, we have been
notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and any service
information. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent
information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in the ``FAA AD Differences'' section in the AD.
[[Page 59476]]
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
investigation of a Bell Model 206B fatal accident in Canada revealed
that the pylon support spindle repaired by Cadorath Aerospace, Inc.
failed during flight resulting in loss of control of the helicopter. We
have determined that all spindles repaired by the same company and H-S
Tools & Parts, Inc., which performed a similar repair, must be replaced
within a very short time interval. Therefore, we have determined that
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0055; Directorate
Identifier 2007-SW-12-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 87 helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 8 work-hours per
helicopter to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts will cost about $2111 per helicopter. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators
to be $239,337 or $2751 per helicopter.
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.
Regulatory Findings
We 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 this AD:
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 and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 2007-22-
01: Amendment 39-15237. Docket No. FAA-2007-0055; Directorate
Identifier 2007-SW-12-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November
6, 2007.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)
Model 206A and 206B series helicopters, certificated in any
category, that have the following serial numbered transmission pylon
support spindle (spindle), part number (P/N) 206-031-554, installed:
Spindles repaired by Cadorath Aerospace Inc., B12-11568, B12-
12244, B12-12260, B12-12647, B12-12676, B12-12847, B12-13292, B12-
14395, B12-15750, B12-17149, B12-17266, B12-1828, B12-18649, B12-
19330, B12-19381, B12-20668, B12-2224, B12-2286, B12-3595, B12-3774,
B12-3808, B12-5171, B12-757, B12-8053, B12-8605, B12-932, B-21223,
B-21297, B22005, B22515, B-22558, CAI3852, CAI3853, EA287, EA318,
EA322, EA393, EA751, EA-761, MW546, RE1044, RE113, or RE743.
Spindles repaired by H-S Tools & Parts Inc., B12-11127, B12-
12883, B12-13158, B12-13535, B12-13545, B12-13593, B12-13657, B12-
13716, B12-14061, B12-14078, B12-15131, B12-15908, B12-16078, B120-
16267, B12-16825, B12-16867, B12-17149, B12-17266, B12-18157, B12-
18163, 12-18456, B12-19450, B12-21573, B12-3106, B12-605, B12-7627,
B-22385, EA-391, MW445, MW506, MW546, RE278, RE329, or RE582.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation into
an accident involving Model 206B has revealed that the Spindle
repaired by Cadorath Aerospace Inc., failed during flight resulting
in loss of control of the helicopter. A similar repair was performed
by H-S Tools & Parts Inc.
All serial-numbered spindles that were repaired by Cadorath
Aerospace, Inc., and by H-S Tools & Parts, Inc., have reduced
strength which could result in failure of the spindle and create an
unsafe condition.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within the next 16 hours time-in-service, unless already
done, replace the spindle with an airworthy spindle that does not
contain a serial number listed in the applicability of this AD.
Differences Between FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) None.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 6320: Main
Rotor Gearbox.
Other Information
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
[[Page 59477]]
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if that
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(i) Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-02R1, dated August
23, 2007, contains related information.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 11, 2007.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20681 Filed 10-19-07; 8:45 am]
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