[Federal Register: December 10, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 236)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 69614-69616]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10de07-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28690; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-21-AD;
Amendment 39-15289; AD 2007-25-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
Model 206A and 206B 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 Limited (BHTC) Model 206A and 206B
helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0004 through 3906, with two-piece
vertical stabilizer (fin) supports (fin supports) installed, that
requires inserting a revision into the applicable maintenance manual,
verifying the torque on the fin support attachment hardware, inspecting
the fin support bracket and fins for paint or gaps, and inspecting the
fin support bracket for cracking, and if a crack is found, replacing
the two-piece vertical fin support with a one-piece casting support.
This amendment is prompted by an accident in which the fin supports
failed. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect
improper torque of the fin supports' attachment hardware, gaps between
the fin support bracket and the doubler, painted mating surfaces of the
fin supports, vertical fin, and vertical fin inserts (fin inserts), and
cracking in the fin supports, to prevent the vertical fin from rotating
into the tail rotor, separation of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective January 14, 2008.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 14, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD
from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 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://www.regulations.gov
or at the Docket Operations office, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC.
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 specified model helicopters was published in the
Federal Register on July 13, 2007 (72 FR 38527). That action proposed
to require inserting a revision into the Inspection and Component
Overhaul Schedule of the applicable maintenance manual, implementing a
recurring inspection at intervals not to exceed 100 hour time-in-
service (TIS) or at each annual inspection, whichever occurs first, of
the torque on the fin support attachment hardware, and inspecting the
fin support for damage. Inspecting for paint on the mating surfaces of
the fin support bracket and vertical fin, and inspecting the fin
attaching hardware for proper torque and the amount of gap between the
fin support bracket and the fin doubler, and inspecting the support
bracket for cracking using a 10x or higher power magnifying glass was
also proposed. Finally, if a crack is found, replacing the two-piece
vertical fin support with a one-piece casting support, P/N 206-033-426-
003, was proposed.
Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on BHTC Model 206A and 206B
helicopters, S/N 004 through 3906, with fin supports, P/N 206-031-417-
003 or
[[Page 69615]]
-007, or 206-031-418-001 or -005, installed. Transport Canada advises
that a one-time inspection of the vertical fin mating surfaces is
required to ensure an appropriate surface finish is present. In
addition, they advise that a recurring torque check of the vertical fin
attaching hardware is required to maintain the structural integrity of
the joint. They also advise that the initial inspection be performed at
the next scheduled 100 hour TIS or annual inspection, but within three
(3) months in accordance with BHTC Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-06-
107, dated April 26, 2006, or later revisions approved by Transport
Canada.
BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-06-107, dated April
26, 2006, and subsequently issued Revision A of this ASB, dated June
15, 2006, which specifies a series of inspections of the two-piece fin
supports, and also introduces a revision to Chapters 5 and 53 of the
BHT-206A/B Series Maintenance Manual. The revision to Chapter 5
introduces a recurring vertical fin attaching hardware torque check,
and inspecting the fin supports for damage, to be accomplished at the
next scheduled 100 hour TIS or annual inspection. The revision to
Chapter 53 updates the removal, installation, and inspection of the
vertical fin. Transport Canada classified this alert service bulletin
as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-2006-12, dated June 5, 2006, to
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.
These helicopter models are 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 1,466 helicopters of
U.S. registry, and the required actions will take approximately 4 work
hours per helicopter to accomplish at an average labor rate of $80 per
work hour. If needed, replacing a fin support will take approximately
30 work hours. Required parts will cost approximately $3,260 for each
fin support. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact
of the AD on U.S. operators to be $3,300,820 for the fleet during the
first year, assuming 7 inspections per helicopter are conducted, and
assuming that replacing the fin support is required on 3 helicopters.
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 AD docket 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:
2007-25-07 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
15289. Docket No. FAA-2007-28690; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-21-
AD.
Applicability: Model 206A and 206B helicopters, serial numbers
0004 through 3906, with two-piece vertical stabilizer (fin) supports
(fin supports), part number (P/N) 206-031-417-003 or -007, or P/N
206-031-418-001 or -005, installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required at the next scheduled 100 hour time-in-
service (TIS) inspection or annual inspection, but no later than 90
days after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished
previously, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS
or at each annual inspection, whichever occurs first.
To detect improper torque of the fin supports' attachment
hardware, gaps between the fin support bracket and the doubler,
painted mating surfaces of the fin support bracket, vertical fin,
and vertical fin inserts (fin inserts), and cracks in the fin
supports, to prevent the vertical fin from rotating into the tail
rotor, separation of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Insert Revision 4 of BHT-206A/B-SERIES-MM into the
appropriate section of the maintenance manual.
(b) Determine the type and part number of the installed vertical
fin by referring to the listing in step 2., Table 1, of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service
Bulletin No. 206-06-107, Revision A, dated June 15, 2006 (ASB).
(c) For Type 1 and Type 3 vertical fins, inspect the vertical
fin and fin support bracket for paint, and the vertical fin
attaching hardware for proper torque, in accordance with steps 5.
and 6. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the ASB.
(d) For Type 2 vertical fins, inspect the vertical fin and fin
support bracket for paint, the vertical fin attaching hardware for
proper torque, and the amount of gap between the vertical fin
support bracket and the vertical fin doubler in accordance with
steps 5., 6., and 7. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the ASB.
(e) If the inspections required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of
this AD indicate
[[Page 69616]]
that the torque and gap are within limits, and there is no paint
present, visually inspect the vertical fin support bracket in the
area of the vertical fin attaching hardware for a crack using a 10x
or higher power magnifying glass.
(1) If no crack is found, re-torque the vertical fin attaching
hardware to between 75 and 95 in. lbs. (8.47 to 10.75 Nm).
(2) If a crack is found, replace the two-piece vertical fin
support bracket with a one-piece vertical fin casting support, P/N
206-033-426-003.
(f) Based on your finding in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this AD,
if either the torque or gap is out of limits, or paint is present:
(1) Remove the vertical fin.
(2) Remove all the primer and paint coatings in the areas
indicated in Figure I of the ASB.
(3) Florescent penetrant inspect (FPI) the vertical fin support.
(4) If a crack is found, replace the two-piece vertical fin
support with a one-piece vertical fin casting support, P/N 206-033-
426-003.
(5) If no crack is found, apply two coats of Polyamide Epoxy
Primer on bare metal surfaces.
(g) For Type 2 vertical fins only:
(1) If incorrect washers (spacers) or no washers are installed,
visually inspect the 4 vertical fin potted inserts as depicted in
the vertical fin detail in Figure I of the ASB for any damage using
a 10x or higher power magnifying glass.
(2) If any of the 4 vertical fin potted inserts is damaged with
no other damage to the surrounding areas, remove and replace the
damaged potted insert with an airworthy potted insert.
(3) After assuring that all 4 installed vertical fin potted
inserts are undamaged, install the correct washers in accordance
with step 9.d. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the ASB.
(h) This AD revises the helicopter maintenance manual by adding
an inspection of the torque on the vertical fin attaching hardware,
and inspections of the vertical fin and vertical fin support, to the
100-hour TIS and annual scheduled inspections.
(i) 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, Regulations and Policy Group, FAA, ATTN: 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, for information about
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(j) The determination of the type and part number of the
vertical fin, the inspections, and installing the correct washers,
if necessary, shall be done in accordance with the specified
portions of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-
06-107, Revision A, dated June 15, 2006. 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 Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel,
Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450)
433-0272. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas or 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
.
(k) This amendment becomes effective on January 14, 2008.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
(Canada) AD No. CF-2006-12, dated June 5, 2006.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 27, 2007.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23601 Filed 12-7-07; 8:45 am]
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