Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 47D1, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Model OH-13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, 6C) Helicopters, 60205-60206 [05-20680]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 199 / Monday, October 17, 2005 / Rules and Regulations Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2005. David A. Downey, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05–20677 Filed 10–14–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2005–21725; Directorate Identifier 2004–SW–45–AD; Amendment 39– 14342; AD 2005–21–04] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 47D1, 47G, 47G–2, 47G–2A, 47G–2A–1, 47G–3, 47G–3B, 47G–3B–1, 47G–3B–2, 47G– 3B–2A, 47G–4, 47G–4A, 47G–5, 47G– 5A and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Model OH–13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, 6C) Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 47D1, 47G, 47G–2, 47G–2A, 47G–2A–1, 47G–3, 47G–3B, 47G–3B–1, 47G–3B–2, 47G–3B–2A, 47G–4, 47G–4A, 47G–5, 47G–5A and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Model OH–13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, 6C) helicopters that have a certain scissors assembly or weld assembly scissors bracket installed. The AD requires, within 60 days, determining and recording the total hours time-inservice (TIS) for each Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA)produced scissors assembly and weld assembly scissors bracket and establishes a life limit for each affected part. This amendment is prompted by the need to establish a life limit on scissors assemblies and weld assembly scissors brackets produced under PMA No. PQ808SW or installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SH2772SW. The actions specified by this AD are intended to establish a life limit to prevent using a scissors assembly or weld assembly scissors bracket past it’s life limit, which could result in failure of the part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Effective November 21, 2005. You may get the service information identified in this AD from Texas Helicopter Co., Inc., P.O. Box DATES: ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:06 Oct 14, 2005 Jkt 208001 177686, Irving, Texas 75017, phone (972) 399–1045, fax (972) 790–6397. Examining the Docket You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL–401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. 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: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2005 (70 FR 38817). That action proposed to require, within 60 days, determining and recording the total hours TIS for each PMA-produced scissors assembly and weld assembly scissors bracket and establishing a life limit for each affected part. We have reviewed Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. (THC) Service Bulletin No. SB 003, dated December 1, 2002. THC holds STC No. SH2772SW and produces parts under PMA No. PQ808SW. That service bulletin was issued to clarify maintenance inspections and retirement schedules. The service bulletin specifies maintaining Bell Model 47 series and all other helicopters utilizing a 74–150– 259–1M or 74–150–259–3M control installation per STC SH2772SW or 74– 150–117–13M scissors bracket weld assembly as PMA replacement, in accordance with THC Instructions For Continued Airworthiness (ICA), Doc. No. THC 2002–22 Rev. 0, dated December 1, 2002. Those ICAs refer to STC SH2772SW and contain the mandatory retirement times for the scissor assembly and weld assembly scissors bracket in the Airworthiness Limitations section. Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposal or the FAA’s determination of the cost to the public. The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. Based on the manufacturer’s production estimate, this AD will affect 350 helicopters of U.S. registry. Determining and recording the initial hours TIS of each scissors assembly will PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 60205 take 1 hour, replacing a scissors assembly will take 2 hours, and replacing a weld assembly scissors bracket will take 8 hours. The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,300 for the 2 scissors assemblies required per helicopter and $2,500 for each weld assembly scissors bracket required per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is $1,580,250, assuming all operators determine and record the hours TIS once, and replace the scissors assembly and weld assembly scissors bracket once. 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 DMS 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. E:\FR\FM\17OCR1.SGM 17OCR1 60206 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 199 / Monday, October 17, 2005 / Rules and Regulations List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. Adoption of the Amendment PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 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: I § 39.13 [Amended] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows: I 2005–21–04 Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. (CHI) Model With scissors assembly P/N (1) Bell Model 47D1, 47G, 47G–2, 47G–2A, 47G–2A–1, 47G–3, 47G–3B, 47G–3B–1, 47G–3B–2, 47G–3B–2A, 47G–4, 47G–4A, 47G–5, 47G–5A; and (2) CHI OH–13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, or 6C). 74–150–949–9 or 74–150–949–5 or 74–150– 249–5M. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent using a scissors assembly or weld assembly scissors bracket past it’s life limit, which could result in failure of the part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Within 60 days, determine and record on the service record or equivalent record the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of each affected part. If the TIS hours cannot be determined, replace the part with an airworthy part with known hours TIS before further flight. (b) Thereafter, replace each affected part before it accumulates 5,000 hours TIS. Note: Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. Service Bulletin No. SB 003, dated December 1, 2002, pertains to the subject of this AD. (c) This AD establishes a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for each affected PMA-produced scissors assembly and each affected PMAproduced weld assembly scissors bracket. (d) 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. (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 21, 2005. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2005. David A. Downey, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05–20680 Filed 10–14–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:06 Oct 14, 2005 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2004–SW–13–AD; Amendment 39–14340; AD 2005–21–02] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 500N, and 600N Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model 369A, H, HE, HM, HS, D, and E helicopters with a certain partnumbered main rotor blade (blade) and modified with a Helicopter Technology Company, LLC (HTC), Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SR09172RC, SR09074RC, or SR09184RC. That AD currently requires recording on the component history card or equivalent record (record) each torque event (TE) on each blade, inspecting both surfaces of the blade, and replacing any cracked blade with an airworthy blade. Also, that AD establishes life limits for certain part-numbered blades. This amendment revises the model applicability, adds MDHI part-numbered blades, removes any reference to the life limits of the blades, changes the requirements for inspecting the blades, and revises the STC applicability. This amendment also provides that compliance with portions of certain documents constitutes alternative methods of compliance with PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (formerly Continental Copters, Inc.; and Tom-Cat Helicopters, Inc.): Docket No. FAA–2005–21725; Amendment No. 39– 14342; Directorate Identifier 2004–SW– 45–AD. Applicability: The following helicopter models with the referenced Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. (THC) scissors assembly part number (P/N) or weld assembly scissors bracket P/N installed as a Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) replacement part or as part of the modification in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SH2772SW, certificated in any category. Or weld assembly scissors bracket P/N 74–150–117–13M. portions of this AD, contains editorial changes for clarification, and makes some corrections. This amendment is prompted by additional reports of cracked blades and by the comments received in response to AD 2003–24–01. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect fatigue cracking of the blade to prevent blade failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Effective November 1, 2005. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before December 16, 2005. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004–SW– 13–AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. You may also send comments electronically to the Rules Docket at the following address: 9-asw-adcomments@faa.gov. The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from the following addresses: 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 https:// www.mdhelicopters.com and Helicopter Technology Company, LLC, 12902 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90061, telephone 310–523–2750, fax 310–523–2745. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Cecil, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712–4137, telephone (562) 627–5228, fax (562) 627–5210. DATES: E:\FR\FM\17OCR1.SGM 17OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60205-60206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20680]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21725; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-45-AD; 
Amendment 39-14342; AD 2005-21-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 47D1, 
47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-
3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Model 
OH-13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, 6C) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 47D1, 47G, 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-
1, 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1, 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4, 47G-4A, 47G-5, 
47G-5A and Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Model OH-13H (Tomcat Mark 5A, 6B, 
6C) helicopters that have a certain scissors assembly or weld assembly 
scissors bracket installed. The AD requires, within 60 days, 
determining and recording the total hours time-in-service (TIS) for 
each Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA)-produced scissors assembly and 
weld assembly scissors bracket and establishes a life limit for each 
affected part. This amendment is prompted by the need to establish a 
life limit on scissors assemblies and weld assembly scissors brackets 
produced under PMA No. PQ808SW or installed per Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) No. SH2772SW. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to establish a life limit to prevent using a scissors assembly 
or weld assembly scissors bracket past it's life limit, which could 
result in failure of the part and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 21, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Texas Helicopter Co., Inc., P.O. Box 177686, Irving, Texas 75017, 
phone (972) 399-1045, fax (972) 790-6397.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and 
other information on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or at the 
Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on July 6, 2005 (70 FR 38817). That action proposed to 
require, within 60 days, determining and recording the total hours TIS 
for each PMA-produced scissors assembly and weld assembly scissors 
bracket and establishing a life limit for each affected part.
    We have reviewed Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. (THC) Service Bulletin 
No. SB 003, dated December 1, 2002. THC holds STC No. SH2772SW and 
produces parts under PMA No. PQ808SW. That service bulletin was issued 
to clarify maintenance inspections and retirement schedules. The 
service bulletin specifies maintaining Bell Model 47 series and all 
other helicopters utilizing a 74-150-259-1M or 74-150-259-3M control 
installation per STC SH2772SW or 74-150-117-13M scissors bracket weld 
assembly as PMA replacement, in accordance with THC Instructions For 
Continued Airworthiness (ICA), Doc. No. THC 2002-22 Rev. 0, dated 
December 1, 2002. Those ICAs refer to STC SH2772SW and contain the 
mandatory retirement times for the scissor assembly and weld assembly 
scissors bracket in the Airworthiness Limitations section.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    Based on the manufacturer's production estimate, this AD will 
affect 350 helicopters of U.S. registry. Determining and recording the 
initial hours TIS of each scissors assembly will take 1 hour, replacing 
a scissors assembly will take 2 hours, and replacing a weld assembly 
scissors bracket will take 8 hours. The average labor rate is $65 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,300 for the 2 
scissors assemblies required per helicopter and $2,500 for each weld 
assembly scissors bracket required per helicopter. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
$1,580,250, assuming all operators determine and record the hours TIS 
once, and replace the scissors assembly and weld assembly scissors 
bracket once.

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 DMS 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.

[[Page 60206]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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:

2005-21-04 Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) and Coastal Helicopters, 
Inc. (CHI) (formerly Continental Copters, Inc.; and Tom-Cat 
Helicopters, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2005-21725; Amendment No. 39-
14342; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-45-AD.

    Applicability: The following helicopter models with the 
referenced Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. (THC) scissors assembly part 
number (P/N) or weld assembly scissors bracket P/N installed as a 
Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) replacement part or as part of the 
modification in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
No. SH2772SW, certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  With scissors       Or weld assembly
            Model                 assembly P/N      scissors bracket P/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Bell Model 47D1, 47G,     74-150-949-9 or 74-   74-150-117-13M.
 47G-2, 47G-2A, 47G-2A-1,      150-949-5 or 74-150-
 47G-3, 47G-3B, 47G-3B-1,      249-5M.
 47G-3B-2, 47G-3B-2A, 47G-4,
 47G-4A, 47G-5, 47G-5A; and
(2) CHI OH-13H (Tomcat Mark
 5A, 6B, or 6C).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent using a scissors assembly or weld assembly scissors 
bracket past it's life limit, which could result in failure of the 
part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 60 days, determine and record on the service record 
or equivalent record the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of each 
affected part. If the TIS hours cannot be determined, replace the 
part with an airworthy part with known hours TIS before further 
flight.
    (b) Thereafter, replace each affected part before it accumulates 
5,000 hours TIS.

    Note: Texas Helicopter Co., Inc. Service Bulletin No. SB 003, 
dated December 1, 2002, pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (c) This AD establishes a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for each 
affected PMA-produced scissors assembly and each affected PMA-
produced weld assembly scissors bracket.
    (d) 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 21, 2005.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 7, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20680 Filed 10-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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