Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206A and 206B Helicopters, 28220-28221 [05-9762]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28220-28221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9762]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 17, 2005 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 28220]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21230; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-51-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206A and 
206B Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 206A and 206B helicopters 
modified by Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) SH1392SO with certain part-numbered high crosstubes. 
The AD would require inspecting at specified time intervals and 
replacing any cracked crosstubes. This proposal is prompted by the 
discovery of a cracked high forward crosstube. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to detect a crack in the crosstube which 
could lead to failure of the crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically;
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590;
     Fax: 202-493-2251; or
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 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 proposed AD 
from Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P.O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee 
37625-3689, telephone (423) 538-5151 or (800) 251-7094, fax (423) 538-
8469, or e-mail at sales@aero-access.com.
    You may examine the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5177, fax (817) 222-
5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments 
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed 
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
21230, Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-51-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the search 
function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to 
any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent or 
signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 
19477-78) or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Management 
System (DMS) Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-
647-5227) is located at the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation NASSIF Building in Room PL-401 at 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We recently determined that we needed to issue an AD for Bell 206 
helicopters that have Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) crosstubes 
installed. This determination was made after receipt of a Malfunction 
or Defect Report (FAA Form 8010-4) from an operator after the discovery 
of a cracked crosstube. The crack was discovered during a routine 
inspection after the landing gear was removed from the aircraft and was 
not visible while installed on the aircraft, although 50% of the 
crosstube's diameter was cracked. The cracking occurred in an older AAI 
crosstube that had been modified from rivet-on supports to the current 
clamp-on supports.
    We have reviewed AAI Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AA-03121, 
dated October 25, 2004, which describes procedures for inspecting each 
high fwd crosstube, part number (P/N) 206-321-001 (serial number (S/N) 
1001-1152) and each high aft crosstube, P/N 206-321-002 (S/N 2001-2152) 
for a crack within 300 flight-hours but not later than April 15, 2005.
    After reviewing the Malfunction or Defect Report, and the AAI ASB, 
we have determined that AD action is necessary to mandate recurring 
inspections of the crosstube and to detect a crack in the crosstube 
that could lead to failure of the crosstube, collapse of the landing 
gear, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type designs modified with STC SH1392SO. 
Therefore, the proposed AD would require the following within 300 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) or 60 days, whichever occurs first, and after 
that at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever 
occurs first:
     Inspecting each forward crosstube, P/N 206-321-001 with S/
N 1001

[[Page 28221]]

through 1152, for a crack and replacing any cracked crosstube with an 
airworthy crosstube before further flight; and
     Inspecting each high aft crosstube, P/N 206-321-002, with 
S/N 2001 through 2152, for a crack and replacing any cracked crosstube 
with an airworthy crosstube before further flight.
    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 150 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. Inspecting both crosstubes on each helicopter would take 
approximately 3 work hours and replacing both crosstubes, if necessary, 
would also take approximately 3 work hours. The average labor rate is 
$65 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $2,260 per 
crosstube. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators would be $736,500 ($4,910 per helicopter, 
assuming one inspection and one forward and one aft crosstube 
replacement on the entire fleet).

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, 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 that the 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 a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the DMS to examine the draft 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Bell Helicopter Textron: Docket No. FAA-2005-21230; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-SW-51-AD.
    Applicability: Model 206A and 206B helicopters modified by 
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. Supplemental Type Certificate 
SH1392SO, with high forward crosstube, part number (P/N) 206-321-001 
with serial number (S/N) 1001 through 1152, and high aft crosstube, 
P/N 206-321-002 with S/N 2001 through 2152, installed, certificated 
in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect a crack in the crosstube, which could lead to failure 
of the crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 60 days, whichever 
occurs first, and after that at intervals not to exceed 300 hours 
TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first, remove each crosstube and 
inspect it for cracks. Replace any cracked crosstube with an 
airworthy crosstube before further flight.

    Note: Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 
AA-03121, dated October 25, 2004, pertains to the subject of this 
AD.

    (b) 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 Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, for information about previously approved alternative methods 
of compliance.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 9, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9762 Filed 5-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P