Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Models 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 Helicopters, 3887-3889 [E8-1025]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Proposed Rules
Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin MBB
BK117 C–2–26A–001, dated January 22,
2007.
Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
ACTION:
Differences Between the FAA AD and the
MCAI
(f) The FAA refers to the compliance time
by hours time-in-service rather than flight
hours as referred to in the MCAI.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America
(ATA) Code JASC 262 Extinguishing System.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(h) The following provisions also apply to
this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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: John
Strasburger, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193–0111, telephone (817)
222–5167, fax (817) 222–5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAAapproved corrective actions. Corrective
actions are considered FAA-approved if they
are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent) if the State of
Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement
with the United States. You are required to
assure the product is airworthy before it is
returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any
reporting requirement in this AD, under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved the information collection
requirements and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120–0056.
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for the
specified BHTC model helicopters. This
proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify
and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The aviation authority
of Canada, with which we have a
bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:
It has been determined that some
helicopters have been fitted with a CRES
steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407–030–
750–103, and the installation of the tailboom
attachment bolt does not meet the design
criteria.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The proposed AD would require
actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition that results from an
improper installation of the tailboom
attachment bolt in the upper left-hand
tailboom attachment CRES steel fitting.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by February 22, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://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.
Federal Aviation Administration
Examining the AD Docket
Related Information
(i) MCAI Airworthiness Directive No.
2007–0121, dated May 3, 2007, contains
related information.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4,
2008.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–1023 Filed 1–22–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2008–0040; Directorate
Identifier 2007–SW–13–AD]
ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with PROPOSALS
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)
Models 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L–1,
206L–3, and 206L–4 Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
AGENCY:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:07 Jan 22, 2008
Jkt 214001
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
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 Office
(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
3887
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations
and Policy Group, Fort Worth, Texas
76193–0111, telephone (817) 222–5122,
fax (817) 222–5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new
process for streamlining the issuance of
ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined
process will allow us to adopt MCAI
safety requirements in a more efficient
manner and will reduce safety risks to
the public. This process continues to
follow all FAA AD issuance processes to
meet legal, economic, Administrative
Procedure Act, and Federal Register
requirements. We also continue to meet
our technical decision-making
responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated
products.
This proposed AD references the
MCAI and related service information
that we considered in forming the
engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The proposed AD contains
text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain
language principles.
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–2008–0040; Directorate Identifier
2007–SW–13–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 https://
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–2007–01,
dated January 19, 2007 (referred to after
this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe
condition for the Canadian-certificated
products. The MCAI states:
It has been determined that some
helicopters have been fitted with a CRES
steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407–030–
750–103, and the installation of the tailboom
E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM
23JAP1
3888
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Proposed Rules
attachment bolt does not meet the design
criteria.
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 Nos. 206–06–110
and 206L–06–140, both dated
September 7, 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 product has been approved by
the aviation authority of Canada and is
approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to our bilateral
agreement with this State of Design
Authority, we have been notified of the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI
and the service information. 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 these same type designs.
ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with PROPOSALS
Differences Between This AD and the
MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and
related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But
we might have found it necessary to use
different words from those in the MCAI
to ensure the AD is clear for U.S.
operators and is enforceable. In making
these changes, we do not intend to differ
substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related
service information.
We might also have proposed
different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA
policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in the ‘‘Differences Between
the FAA AD and the MCAI’’ section in
the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 2,206 helicopters
(1,471 Model 206A and 206B
helicopters and 735 Model 206L
helicopters) of U.S. registry. We also
estimate that it would take about .5
work-hour per helicopter to determine if
a tailboom attachment bolt must be
replaced and, if so, 1 additional work
hour to replace the tailboom attachment
bolt. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $133 for Model 206L series
helicopters, and $71 for Model 206A
and B series helicopters. Based on these
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:07 Jan 22, 2008
Jkt 214001
figures, we estimate the cost of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be
$466,916, or $253 for each Model 206L
series helicopter and $191 for each
Model 206 A and B series helicopter.
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.
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
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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Docket No.
FAA–2008–0040; Directorate Identifier
2007–SW–13–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February
22, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 206A, 206B,
206L, 206L–1, 206L–3, and 206L–4
helicopters, with an upper left-hand tailboom
attachment CRES steel fitting, part number
(P/N) 407–030–750–103, installed,
certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
It has been determined that some
helicopters have been fitted with a CRES
steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407–030–
750–103, and the installation of the tailboom
attachment bolt does not meet the design
criteria.
We have determined that an improper
installation of the tailboom attachment bolt
in the upper left-hand tailboom attachment
CRES steel fitting, P/N 407–030–750–103,
creates an unsafe condition.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within the next 50 hours time-inservice (TIS), unless already done, do the
following:
(1) For those helicopters with an upper
left-hand CRES tailboom attachment fitting,
P/N 407–030–750–103, determine if the
correct number and type of washers are
installed, the tailboom attachment bolt is
oriented in the correct direction, and the
correct number of bolt threads are exposed in
accordance with the NOTES on Figure 1 of
the applicable Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) in
the following Table I.
TABLE I
Model
ASB No. and date
206A, 206B ................
206–06–110, dated
September 7,
2006.
206L–06–140, dated
September 7,
2006.
206L, L–1, L–3, L–4 ..
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:
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
(i) If the correct number and type of
washers are installed, the tailboom
attachment bolt is oriented in the correct
direction, and the correct number of tailboom
attachment bolt threads is exposed, do a
torque check of the nut.
E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM
23JAP1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Proposed Rules
(A) If the torque is below the minimum
required amount, replace the tailboom
attachment bolt in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, step 1
of the applicable ASB listed in Table I of this
AD.
(B) If the torque is above the maximum
amount, adjust the torque to within the
allowable range.
(ii) If an incorrect number or type of
washer is installed or the tailboom
attachment bolt is oriented in the wrong
direction, reconfigure as necessary to meet
the requirements of the Notes on Figure 1 of
the applicable ASB listed in Table I of this
AD.
(iii) If there is less than 1 tailboom
attachment bolt thread exposed, adjust the
number of washers and retorque the nut so
that between 1 and 3 tailboom attachment
bolt threads are exposed at the proper nut
torque.
(iv) If more than 3 tailboom attachment
bolt threads are exposed, replace the
attachment bolt in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, step 1
of the applicable ASB listed in Table 1 of this
AD.
(2) If a tailboom attachment bolt must be
replaced based on a requirement of this AD,
at 100 hours TIS after the tailboom
attachment bolt is replaced, do a torque
check of the nut.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the
MCAI
(f) None.
ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with PROPOSALS
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America
(ATA) Code 5340, Fuselage Main, Attach
Fittings.
Other Information
(h) The following provisions also apply to
this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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, Aerospace Engineer; Fort
Worth, Texas 76193–0111, telephone (817)
222–5122, fax (817) 222–5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAAapproved corrective actions. Corrective
actions are considered FAA-approved if they
are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent) if the State of
Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement
with the United States. You are required to
assure the product is airworthy before it is
returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any
reporting requirement in this AD, under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved the information collection
requirements and has assigned OMB Control
Number 2120–0056.
Related Information
(i) MCAI Transport Canada Airworthiness
Directive CF–2007–01, dated January 19,
2007, contains related information.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:07 Jan 22, 2008
Jkt 214001
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 9,
2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8–1025 Filed 1–22–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2008–0039; Directorate
Identifier 2006–SW–13–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Model 222,
222B, 222U, 230 and 430 Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document proposes
adopting a new airworthiness directive
(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
(BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230
and 430 helicopters. This proposal
would require rewiring and testing the
fuel valve switch on each engine and
testing the ignitor system. This proposal
is prompted by an in-flight incident in
which a fuel valve switch failed,
causing the fuel valve to inadvertently
close. The actions specified by this
proposed AD are intended to prevent
interruption of the fuel supply caused
by failure of the fuel switch, which
could result in loss of engine power and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
Comments must be received on
or before March 24, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://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
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
3889
Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue
de l’Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4,
telephone (450) 437–2862 or (800) 363–
8023, fax (450) 433–0272.
You may examine the comments to
this proposed AD in the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carroll Wright, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Regulations and Policy Group, Fort
Worth, Texas 76193–0110, telephone
(817) 222–5120, fax (817) 222–5961.
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–2008–0039, Directorate Identifier
2006–SW–13–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://
www.regulations.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://www.regulations.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that
contains the proposed AD, any
comments, and other information in
person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Docket Operations office (telephone
(800) 647–5527) is located in Room
W12–140 on the ground floor of the
West Building at the street address
stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
Discussion
This document proposes adopting a
new AD for the following BHTC
helicopters:
E:\FR\FM\23JAP1.SGM
23JAP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3887-3889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1025]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0040; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)
Models 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
specified BHTC model helicopters. This proposed AD results from
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The aviation authority of Canada,
with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:
It has been determined that some helicopters have been fitted
with a CRES steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, and
the installation of the tailboom attachment bolt does not meet the
design criteria.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition that results from an improper installation of the
tailboom attachment bolt in the upper left-hand tailboom attachment
CRES steel fitting.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 22,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
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 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 Policy Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
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-2008-0040;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-13-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 https://
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-
01, dated January 19, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for the Canadian-certificated products. The
MCAI states:
It has been determined that some helicopters have been fitted
with a CRES steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, and
the installation of the tailboom
[[Page 3888]]
attachment bolt does not meet the design criteria.
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 Nos. 206-
06-110 and 206L-06-140, both dated September 7, 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 product has been approved by the aviation authority of Canada
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, we have been
notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and the service
information. 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 these same type
designs.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in the ``Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI''
section in the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 2,206
helicopters (1,471 Model 206A and 206B helicopters and 735 Model 206L
helicopters) of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take
about .5 work-hour per helicopter to determine if a tailboom attachment
bolt must be replaced and, if so, 1 additional work hour to replace the
tailboom attachment bolt. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Required parts would cost about $133 for Model 206L series helicopters,
and $71 for Model 206A and B series helicopters. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $466,916, or $253 for each Model 206L series helicopter and $191 for
each Model 206 A and B series helicopter.
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.
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: Docket No. FAA-2008-0040;
Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-13-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February 22, 2008.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3,
and 206L-4 helicopters, with an upper left-hand tailboom attachment
CRES steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, installed,
certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
It has been determined that some helicopters have been fitted
with a CRES steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, and
the installation of the tailboom attachment bolt does not meet the
design criteria.
We have determined that an improper installation of the tailboom
attachment bolt in the upper left-hand tailboom attachment CRES
steel fitting, P/N 407-030-750-103, creates an unsafe condition.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless
already done, do the following:
(1) For those helicopters with an upper left-hand CRES tailboom
attachment fitting, P/N 407-030-750-103, determine if the correct
number and type of washers are installed, the tailboom attachment
bolt is oriented in the correct direction, and the correct number of
bolt threads are exposed in accordance with the NOTES on Figure 1 of
the applicable Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) in the following Table
I.
Table I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model ASB No. and date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
206A, 206B............................... 206-06-110, dated September
7, 2006.
206L, L-1, L-3, L-4...................... 206L-06-140, dated September
7, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) If the correct number and type of washers are installed, the
tailboom attachment bolt is oriented in the correct direction, and
the correct number of tailboom attachment bolt threads is exposed,
do a torque check of the nut.
[[Page 3889]]
(A) If the torque is below the minimum required amount, replace
the tailboom attachment bolt in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions, Part II, step 1 of the applicable ASB listed in Table
I of this AD.
(B) If the torque is above the maximum amount, adjust the torque
to within the allowable range.
(ii) If an incorrect number or type of washer is installed or
the tailboom attachment bolt is oriented in the wrong direction,
reconfigure as necessary to meet the requirements of the Notes on
Figure 1 of the applicable ASB listed in Table I of this AD.
(iii) If there is less than 1 tailboom attachment bolt thread
exposed, adjust the number of washers and retorque the nut so that
between 1 and 3 tailboom attachment bolt threads are exposed at the
proper nut torque.
(iv) If more than 3 tailboom attachment bolt threads are
exposed, replace the attachment bolt in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, step 1 of the applicable ASB
listed in Table 1 of this AD.
(2) If a tailboom attachment bolt must be replaced based on a
requirement of this AD, at 100 hours TIS after the tailboom
attachment bolt is replaced, do a torque check of the nut.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI
(f) None.
Subject
(g) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5340,
Fuselage Main, Attach Fittings.
Other Information
(h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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, Aerospace Engineer; Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone
(817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.
(2) Airworthy Product: Use only FAA-approved corrective actions.
Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved
by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent) if the
State of Design has an appropriate bilateral agreement with the
United States. You are required to assure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(i) MCAI Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-01,
dated January 19, 2007, contains related information.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 9, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1025 Filed 1-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
