[Federal Register: April 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 82)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 22787-22789]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28ap08-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25983; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-11-AD;
Amendment 39-15463; AD 2008-08-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Series
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 series helicopters that
requires modifying the pilot and co-pilot dual-control directional
pedal assemblies, or the pilot single-control directional pedal
assembly (directional control pedal assembly). This amendment is
prompted by an accident which has been attributed to loss of
directional control due to failure of the welds in the directional
control pedal assembly. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent fatigue cracking in the welds that connect the directional
control pedal to the pedal shaft, resulting in loss of directional
control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective June 2, 2008.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 2, 2008.
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://
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: 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 to
include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the
Federal Register on October 17, 2006 (71 FR 60927). That action
proposed to require, for MDHI Model MD900 series helicopters, serial
numbers (S/N) 900-00008 through 900-00111, 900-00113, and 900-00114,
modifying the directional control pedal assembly, part number (P/N)
900C1012007-107, -109, -111, -113, or 900C6012007-111 (pilot dual
control); or P/N 900C1012207-105, -107, -109, -111, or -113 (co-pilot
dual control); or P/N 900C1010007-107, -109, -111, -113, or
900C6010007-111
[[Page 22788]]
(pilot single control), by removing the existing pedals, removing the
welded pedal support plate from the pedal shafts, and installing a
directional control pedal modification kit, P/N SBK-010. Ink stamping
the P/N, 90005340111-101, on the pedal shaft of each modified
directional control pedal assembly using permanent ink was also
proposed.
MDHI has issued Service Bulletin SB900-100, dated April 5, 2006,
which describes procedures for modifying the directional control pedal
assembly.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
The one commenter, the Modification and Replacement Parts
Association, ``does not object to the TC holder provided modification
kits provided at no cost to operators'' and states that ``Such action
removes any incentive for the development of alternative parts under 14
CFR 21.303.'' They also note that the cost impact stated in the AD is
$61,650 per helicopter, but should correctly be stated as $61,650 for
the entire U.S. fleet of MDHI MD900 helicopters. The FAA concurs and
has corrected that error in this AD.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described
previously. 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 30 helicopters of U.S.
registry, and the required actions will take approximately 8 work hours
for helicopters with single pilot controls installed, or 16 work hours
for helicopters with dual pilot and co-pilot controls installed, at an
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $775 for helicopters with dual pilot and co-pilot
controls installed. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $61,650 for the entire fleet,
or $2,055 per helicopter, assuming that dual pilot and co-pilot
controls are installed on the entire fleet and there is no warranty
coverage.
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:
2008-08-11 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-15463. Docket No. FAA-
2006-25983; Directorate Identifier 2006-SW-11-AD.
Applicability
Model MD900 series helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 900-00008
through 900-00111, 900-00113, and 900-00114, certificated in any
category.
Compliance
Required within 90 days after the effective date of this AD,
unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fatigue cracking in the welds which connect the pilot
and co-pilot dual-control, or pilot single-control directional
control pedal (directional control pedal) to the pedal shaft,
resulting in loss of directional control and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify each directional control pedal assembly, part number
(P/N) 900C1012007-107, -109, -111, -113, or 900C6012007-111 (pilot
dual control); or P/N 900C1012207-105, -107, -109, -111, or -113
(co-pilot dual control); or P/N 900C1010007-107, -109, -111, -113,
or 900C6010007-111 (pilot single control), by removing the existing
pedals, removing the welded pedal support plate from the pedal
shafts, and installing a directional control pedal modification kit,
P/N SBK-010, in accordance with part 2, Accomplishment Instructions,
in MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-100, dated April 5, 2006.
One modification kit is required to be installed on helicopters with
single controls and two modification kits are required to be
installed on helicopters with dual controls.
(b) Using a permanent ink, ink stamp the P/N, 90005340111-101,
on the pedal shaft of each modified directional control pedal
assembly.
(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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
ATTN: Roger Durbin, 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.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the
specified portions of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-100,
dated April 5, 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 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. 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/
[[Page 22789]]
code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 2, 2008.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 3, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-8638 Filed 4-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P