Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206B Helicopters, 60926-60927 [E6-17185]

Download as PDF 60926 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 17, 2006 / Proposed Rules Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Inspect the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly for chafing. For airplanes that have not had a 100-hour TIS inspection or the inspection following ´ Raytheon Safety Communique No. 271, dated May 2006: Within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. For airplanes that have had a 100-hour TIS inspection or the inspection following ´ Raytheon Safety Communique No. 271, dated May 2006: Within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. Before further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. Follow Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 61–3806, issued: August 2006. (2) If any chafing is found in the inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, replace the propeller accumulator oil tube assembly. (3) Reposition and secure with clamps the left manifold pressure hose and its metal identification tags to ensure clearance between it and all tubes, hoses, electrical wires, parts, components, and structure. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, ATTN: Jeff Pretz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946–4153; facsimile: (316) 946–4407, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this AD, contact Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201–0085; telephone: (800) 429– 5372 or (316) 676–3140. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA–2006–25739; Directorate Identifier 2006–CE–46–AD. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 10, 2006. Kim Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6–17188 Filed 10–16–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2005–22806; Directorate Identifier 2005–SW–04–AD] rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with PROPOSAL RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206B Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 06:09 Oct 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 Before further flight after the inspection or replacement required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD. SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 206B helicopters modified with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW with energy attenuating seat installation wire (energy attenuating wire). The proposed AD would have required replacing certain energy attenuating wire with airworthy energy attenuating wire. Since issuing the proposed AD, we have determined that no unsafe condition exists with respect to the STC installed energy attenuating wire. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn. ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL–401, Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA–2005–22806; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2005–SW– 04–AD. 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: Discussion We proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an NPRM for a new AD for Bell Model 206B helicopters with AAI PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Follow Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 61–3806, issued: August 2006. Follow Raytheon Aircraft Company Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 61–3806, issued: August 2006. STC No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2005 (70 FR 62085). The NPRM would have required replacing energy attenuating wire manufactured or invoiced during a specified time frame. The NPRM resulted from the disclosure that certain energy attenuating wire may not have the yield strength necessary to allow seats to attenuate energy during an emergency landing. The proposed actions were intended to prevent failure of a seat to attenuate energy during an emergency landing and resulting in injury to an occupant. Actions Since NPRM Was Issued Since issuing the NPRM, we have determined that the seat with the affected energy attenuating wire will support the occupant adequately during an emergency landing and therefore no unsafe condition exists for Bell Model 206B helicopters modified with the two STCs. FAA’s Conclusions Upon further consideration, we have determined that the actions proposed in the NPRM are not needed for Bell Model 206B helicopters. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn. Withdrawal of the NPRM does not preclude the FAA from issuing another related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the future. Regulatory Impact Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM 17OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 17, 2006 / Proposed Rules List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. The Withdrawal Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA–2005–22806; Directorate Identifier 2005–SW–04–AD, which was published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2005 (70 FR 62085). Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 29, 2006. Mark R. Schilling, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6–17185 Filed 10–16–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2006–25983; Directorate Identifier 2006–SW–11–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 Series Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with PROPOSAL AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 series helicopters. The AD would require modifying the pilot and co-pilot dual-control directional pedal assemblies, or the pilot singlecontrol directional pedal assembly (directional control pedal assembly). This proposal 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 the proposed 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: Comments must be received on or before December 18, 2006. 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; VerDate Aug<31>2005 06:09 Oct 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 • 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 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. 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: 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: 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–2006–25983, Directorate Identifier 2006–SW–11–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. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 60927 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 This document proposes adopting a new AD for MDHI Model MD900 series helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 900– 00008 through 900–00111, 900–00113, and 900–00114. The AD would require modifying the directional control pedal assembly by removing the existing pedals, removing the welded pedal support plate from the pedal shafts, installing a new pedal mount on each pedal shaft using rivets, reinstalling the pedals on the new pedal mounts, and marking the modified directional control pedal assembly with a part number. This proposal 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 the proposed 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. We have reviewed MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900–100, dated April 5, 2006, which describes procedures for modifying the directional control pedal assembly. This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, the proposed AD would require 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 (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. Also, this AD would require ink stamping the P/N, 90005340111–101, on the pedal shaft of each modified directional E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM 17OCP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 17, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60926-60927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17185]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206B 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 
proposed adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 
Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 206B helicopters modified with 
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW with energy attenuating seat 
installation wire (energy attenuating wire). The proposed AD would have 
required replacing certain energy attenuating wire with airworthy 
energy attenuating wire. Since issuing the proposed AD, we have 
determined that no unsafe condition exists with respect to the STC 
installed energy attenuating wire. Accordingly, the proposed AD is 
withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-22806; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2005-SW-04-AD.

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:

Discussion

    We proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR part 39) with an NPRM for a new AD for Bell Model 206B 
helicopters with AAI STC No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2005 (70 FR 62085). 
The NPRM would have required replacing energy attenuating wire 
manufactured or invoiced during a specified time frame. The NPRM 
resulted from the disclosure that certain energy attenuating wire may 
not have the yield strength necessary to allow seats to attenuate 
energy during an emergency landing. The proposed actions were intended 
to prevent failure of a seat to attenuate energy during an emergency 
landing and resulting in injury to an occupant.

Actions Since NPRM Was Issued

    Since issuing the NPRM, we have determined that the seat with the 
affected energy attenuating wire will support the occupant adequately 
during an emergency landing and therefore no unsafe condition exists 
for Bell Model 206B helicopters modified with the two STCs.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that the actions 
proposed in the NPRM are not needed for Bell Model 206B helicopters. 
Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM does not preclude the FAA from issuing 
another related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the 
future.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule and therefore is not covered under Executive Order 
12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

[[Page 60927]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD, which was published in the 
Federal Register on October 28, 2005 (70 FR 62085).

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 29, 2006.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-17185 Filed 10-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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