[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 209 (Friday, October 30, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56104-56106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26120]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-1003; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-25-AD;
Amendment 39-16064; AD 2009-22-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
407 and 427 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 407 and 427 helicopters. This AD
results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD
issued by the aviation authority of Canada. The MCAI AD states that,
during a preflight check, it was observed that the swashplate link
assembly bearing had moved in the lever race, making contact with the
swashplate support. The MCAI also states that further investigation
revealed that the bearing had not been staked correctly during
manufacture. That condition, if not detected, could result in failure
of a bearing, failure of the swashplate link assembly, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 16, 2009.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 29, 2009.
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 your
comments electronically.
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.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from Bell
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101, telephone
(817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
[[Page 56105]]
Examining the 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 stated in the
ADDRESSES section of this AD. 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 76137, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued AD No. CF-2009-14, dated April 15, 2009 to correct an unsafe
condition for Bell Model 407 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 53000
through 53887, 53890 through 53916, 53918, 53920, 53921, 53923 through
53926, and 53928; and Model 427 helicopters, S/N 56001 through 56074,
58001, and 58002, with an anti-drive link assembly, part number (P/N)
406-010-432-101, that has a serial number prefix of ``TI'' or ``TIFS.''
Transport Canada states that during a preflight check, it was observed
that the swashplate link assembly bearing had moved in the lever race,
making contact with the swashplate support. Transport Canada also
states that further investigation revealed that the bearing had not
been staked correctly during manufacture and that this situation, if
not corrected, could lead to loss of control of the helicopter. You may
obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and any related
service information in the AD docket.
Related Service Information
Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 407-09-87, dated
March 27, 2009, for the Model 407 helicopters and ASB No. 427-09-24,
Revision A, dated March 30, 2009, for the Model 427 helicopters. The
ASBs specify a one-time inspection of all anti-drive link assemblies,
P/N 406-010-432-101 with a serial number prefix of ``TI'' or ``TIFS,''
to ensure that the bearing, P/N 406-310-403-101, is correctly and
securely staked in the link assembly. The actions described in the MCAI
AD are intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified
in the ASBs.
FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
Canada, and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with Canada, they have notified us of the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI AD. We are issuing this AD
because we evaluated all information provided by Transport Canada and
determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop
on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD
This AD differs from the MCAI AD as follows:
This AD requires compliance within 10 hours time-in-
service (TIS), the MCAI AD requires compliance within the next 10
flight hours, but no later than 30 days from the effective day of the
MCAI AD, which was May 6, 2009; and
This AD does not apply to Model 427 helicopters with S/N
58001 or 58002 because those serial-numbered helicopters are not
eligible for an FAA certificate of airworthiness.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 554 helicopters of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per
helicopter to inspect and replace, if necessary, the bearing or the
anti-drive link assembly. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Required parts will cost about $400 for a bearing or $3,517 for an
anti-drive link assembly, per helicopter. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators will be $1,992,738
($3,597 per helicopter), assuming that all anti-drive link assemblies
are replaced.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. We find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the
structural integrity of the helicopter and the inspection must be
performed within 10 hours TIS. 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. However, we invite you to send us any written data, views, or
arguments concerning this AD. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section of this AD. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-
1003; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-25-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://www.regulations.gov including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
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 product(s) 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.
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
[[Page 56106]]
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:
2009-22-11 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-16064.
Docket No. FAA-2009-1003; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-25-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on
November 16, 2009.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following model and serial-numbered
helicopters with an anti-drive (swashplate) link assembly (link
assembly), part number (P/N) 406-010-432-101, that has a serial
number (S/N) prefix of ``TI'' or ``TIFS'', certificated in any
category:
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Model Serial Nos.
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407.............................. 53000 through 53887, 53890 through
53916, 53918, 53920, 53921, 53923
through 53926, and 53928.
427.............................. 56001 through 56074.
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Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD
states during a preflight check it was observed that the swashplate
link assembly bearing had moved in the lever race, making contact
with the swashplate support. The MCAI AD also states that further
investigation revealed that the bearing had not been staked
correctly during manufacture. That condition, if not detected, could
result in failure of a bearing, failure of the link assembly, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a 10x or higher
magnifying glass, inspect the link assembly and determine if the
bearing, P/N 406-310-403-101, is correctly installed and properly
staked in the link assembly. Also inspect to ensure that the bearing
is not loose.
(2) Before further flight, replace any bearing that is
incorrectly installed or improperly staked in the link assembly.
(3) Before further flight, replace the link assembly if the
bearing is loose.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD
(f) This AD differs from the MCAI AD as follows:
(1) This AD requires compliance within 10 hours TIS, the MCAI AD
requires compliance within the next 10 flight hours, but no later
than 30 days from the effective day of the MCAI AD, which was May 6,
2009; and
(2) This AD does not apply to Model 427 helicopters, S/N 58001
or 58002, because those serial-numbered helicopters are not eligible
for an FAA certificate of airworthiness.
Other Information
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone
(817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
Related Information
(h) The following documents contain related information:
(1) Transport Canada AD No. CF-2009-14, dated April 15, 2009;
(2) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-09-87, dated
March 27, 2009; and
(3) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 427-09-24,
Revision A, dated March 30, 2009.
Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code
(i) JASC Code 6230: Main rotor/swashplate.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on October 20, 2009.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-26120 Filed 10-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P