[Federal Register: March 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 54)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12098-12100]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr09-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0227; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-65-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model
427 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 427 helicopters. This
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) originated by the aviation authority of Canada to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. Transport Canada,
the aviation authority of Canada, with which we have a bilateral
agreement, states that it has been determined that the existing
hardware connecting the vertical fin to the tail rotor gearbox needs to
be upgraded, to prevent the vertical fin from becoming loose.
BHTC has received reports of loose vertical fins discovered during
inspections. Investigation revealed that the current vertical fin
attachment hardware may not provide adequate clamp-up. If not
corrected, the vertical fin could become loose and cause vibration,
which could lead to subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The
proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address this
unsafe condition.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 22, 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 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.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed 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, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
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 proposed 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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0227;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-65-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued an MCAI in the form of Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-
22, dated September 14, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''),
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. Transport
Canada states in the MCAI that it has been determined that the existing
hardware connecting the vertical fin to the tail rotor gearbox need to
be upgraded, to prevent the vertical fin from becoming loose.
BHTC has received reports of loose vertical fins discovered during
inspections. Investigation revealed that the current vertical fin
attachment
[[Page 12099]]
hardware may not provide adequate clamp-up. If not corrected, the
vertical fin could become loose and cause vibration, which could lead
to subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and
service information in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bell Helicopter Textron has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 427-
06-15, dated December 14, 2006. The actions described in the MCAI are
intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in the
service information.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This model helicopter has been approved by Transport Canada, which
is the aviation authority of Canada, and is approved for operation in
the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State
of Design, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent
information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. This AD differs from the MCAI as
follows:
We do not require compliance ``no later than November 27,
2007'', because that date has passed.
We refer to the compliance time as ``hours time-in-
service'' rather than ``air time hours.''
These differences are highlighted in the ``Differences Between this
AD and the MCAI'' section in the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 17 products of
U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours
per helicopter to remove and visually inspect the vertical fin and the
tail rotor gearbox attachment legs and to re-install the vertical fin.
The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $227 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $6,579 for the fleet, or
$387 per helicopter, to perform the inspections and remove and re-
install the vertical fin.
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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC): Docket No. FAA-2009-0227;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-65-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by April 22, 2009.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 427 helicopters, serial numbers
56001 through 56057, 58001, and 58002, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) Transport Canada states in the mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) that it has been determined that
the existing hardware connecting the vertical fin to the tail rotor
gearbox need to be upgraded, to prevent the vertical fin from
becoming loose. BHTC has received reports of loose vertical fins
discovered during inspections. Investigation revealed that the
current vertical fin attachment hardware may not provide adequate
clamp-up. If not corrected, the vertical fin could become loose and
cause vibration, which could lead to subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within the next 150 hours time-in-service, unless already
done, do the following:
(1) Remove the vertical fin and visually inspect the inboard and
outboard surfaces of the vertical fin where it attaches to the tail
rotor gearbox support for a crack, an elongated bolt hole, fretting,
distortion and corrosion.
(2) Visually inspect the tail rotor gearbox support attachment
legs for a crack, fretting and corrosion.
(f) If a crack, elongated bolt hole, fretting, distortion or
corrosion is detected, repair or replace the part with an airworthy
part before further flight.
(g) Reinstall the vertical fin.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
(h) This AD differs from the MCAI as follows:
(1) We do not require compliance ``no later than November 27,
2007'', because that date has passed.
(2) We refer to the compliance time as ``hours time-in-service''
rather than ``air time hours.''
Other Information
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Send information to ATTN: 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.
[[Page 12100]]
Related Information
(j) Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-22, dated September
14, 2007, and Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No.
427-06-15, dated December 14, 2006, contain related information.
Subject
(k) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code:5553,
Vertical Stabilizer, Attach Fittings.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 4, 2009.
Jerald E. Strentz,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-6225 Filed 3-20-09; 8:45 am]
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