[Federal Register: September 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 177)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52777-52778]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11se08-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0449; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-10-AD;
Amendment 39-15669; AD 2008-19-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230,
and 430 helicopters. That AD currently requires visually inspecting the
main rotor hydraulic actuator support (support) to verify the presence
of all dowel pins and sealant between the support and transmission and
verifying the proper torque of each attaching nut (nut). This AD
requires the same actions as the existing AD and also requires
repetitive actions at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-service
(TIS) or 12 months, whichever occurs first. This AD is prompted by the
discovery that a 12-month compliance requirement was correctly included
in an Emergency AD (EAD) that we issued but was inadvertently omitted
when we published the Final rule; request for comments following the
issuance of the EAD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent failure of the support and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: Effective October 16, 2008.
The incorporation by reference of Bell Helicopter Textron Alert
Service Bulletin Nos. 222-00-86, 222U-00-57, 230-00-18, and 430-00-17,
all dated May 19, 2000, was approved previously for incorporation by
reference by the Director of the Federal Register on March 2, 2001 (66
FR 10361, February 15, 2001).
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office, U.S.
Department of Transportation, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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 AD Docket: The AD docket contains the Notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address and operating hours
for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) are in the
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after they are received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tyrone Millard, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5439, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 5, 2001, we issued EAD 2001-01-51
for Bell Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters which
requires, at specified time intervals, visually inspecting the support
for the presence of all dowel pins and sealant between the support and
transmission and verifying the proper torque of each nut. That action
was prompted by the failure of a support resulting in an accident of a
Bell Model 222U helicopter. All retaining studs and shear pins were
found sheared or pulled out at the junction between the support and
transmission case. The requirements of that EAD are intended to prevent
failure of the support and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
On February 2, 2001, we issued AD 2001-01-51, Amendment 39-12105,
Docket No. 2000-SW-54-AD as a Final rule; request for comments (66 FR
10361, February 15, 2001). Since issuing that AD, we discovered that we
inadvertently omitted the phrase ``or 12 months, whichever occurs
first,'' from compliance paragraph (a) of the published final rule AD.
Because the two versions of AD 2001-01-51 have different compliance
times, we issued an NPRM on April 14, 2008 (73 FR 21853, April 23,
2008) proposing to supersede AD 2001-01-51 and require the following:
Within 25 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 600 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first:
Visually inspecting the support and, if any pin is missing
or if there is no sealant visible, further inspecting the support, the
transmission case, studs, and dowel pins and repairing or replacing any
unairworthy part before further flight;
Verifying the torque of the nuts and, depending on the
location and number of loose nuts, before further flight:
Removing the support and further inspecting the support,
transmission case, studs, and dowel pins and repairing or replacing any
unairworthy part; and
Retorqueing certain nuts;
At not less than 20 hours TIS nor more than 30 hours TIS
after reinstalling a support for any reason, verifying the torque of
the nuts.
By publishing the NPRM, we gave the public an opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. However, we received no comment on
the NPRM or on our determination of the cost to the public. Therefore,
based on our review and evaluation of the available data, we have
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD as proposed.
We have reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222-00-86, 222U-
00-57, 230-00-18, and 430-00-17, all dated May 19, 2000 (ASB's), which
specify, within 25 hours TIS, conducting a one-time inspection of the
support installation by accomplishing a torque check of the support
attaching nuts. In
[[Page 52778]]
addition, a revision to the maintenance manual will introduce a
recurring torque check of the nuts. Transport Canada classified these
ASB's as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-2000-29, dated September 6,
2000, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in
Canada.
We estimate that this AD will affect 145 helicopters of U.S.
registry. It will take approximately \1/2\ work hour per helicopter to
inspect for proper torque, and the average labor rate is $80 per work
hour. The cost for the inspection is estimated to be $5,800. Assuming
15 helicopters require removing the support for additional inspections,
it will take approximately 6 additional work hours at $80 per work hour
and $50 for parts at an additional total cost of $7,950. Based on these
figures, we estimate the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators
to be $13,750, assuming no supports are replaced.
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.
Therefore, 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.
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 39-12105 (66 FR
10361, February 15, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), Amendment 39-15669, to read as follows:
2008-19-02 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-15669,
Docket No. FAA-2008-0449; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-10-AD.
Supersedes AD 2001-01-51, Amendment 39-12105, Docket No. 2000-SW-54-
AD.
Applicability: Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters,
with a main rotor hydraulic actuator support (support), part number
(P/N) 222-040-125-001, installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the support and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs
first, accomplish the following:
(1) Visually inspect the support for the presence of all dowel
pins and for sealant between the support and transmission. If any
pin is missing, or if no sealant is visible, before further flight,
remove the support and further inspect the support, transmission
case, studs, and dowel pins in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, paragraphs 5 through 7, of the applicable Bell
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222-00-86, 222U-00-
57, 230-00-18, or 430-00-17, all dated May 19, 2000 (ASB's). Repair
or replace any unairworthy support, transmission case, stud, or
dowel pin before further flight.
(2) Verify the torque of the support attaching nuts (nuts).
Upper nuts must not rotate at a torque less than 40 in-lbs. Lower
nuts must not rotate at a torque less than 90 in-lbs.
(i) If two or more upper nuts rotate at a torque less than 40
in-lbs. or two or more lower nuts rotate at a torque less than 90
in-lbs., before further flight, remove the support and further
inspect the support, transmission case, studs, and dowel pins in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 5 through
7, of the applicable ASB's. Repair or replace any unairworthy
support, transmission case, stud, or dowel pin before further
flight.
(ii) If less than two upper nuts rotate at a torque less than 40
in-lbs. or less than two lower nuts rotate at a torque less than 90
in-lbs., before further flight, retorque the upper nut to 50 to 70
in-lbs. plus tare and the lower nut to 100 to 140 in-lbs. plus tare.
(b) At not less than 20 hours TIS nor more than 30 hours TIS
after reinstalling a support for any reason, verify the torque of
the nuts in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.
(c) 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, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Tyrone
Millard, telephone (817) 222-5439, fax (817) 222-5961, for
information about previously approved alternative methods of
compliance.
(d) You must use the specified portions of Bell Helicopter
Textron Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222-00-86, 222U-00-57, 230-00-
18, or 430-00-17, all dated May 19, 2000, to do the required
inspections.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the
incorporation by reference of these service bulletins on March 2,
2001 (66 FR 10361, February 15, 2001).
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 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.
(3) You may review copies 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 16, 2008.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
(Canada) AD CF-2000-29, dated September 6, 2000.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 13, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-20979 Filed 9-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P