Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Helicopters, 9400-9402 [2014-02961]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 33 / Wednesday, February 19, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
production, and on which no interconnecting
strut has been replaced with a strut having
a part number specified in figure 1 to
paragraph (g) of this AD since the airplane’s
first flight: No further work is required by
paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If, during the inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, any interconnecting
strut is installed with a part number specified
in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Within
8,000 flight hours after the effective date of
this AD, determine the part number and the
serial number of the associated target and
proximity sensor.
FIGURE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (G) OF THIS
AD—INTERCONNECTING
STRUT
PART NUMBERS
Interconnecting strut part numbers
D5757030500000
D5757030500100
D5757030500200
D5757030500600
D5757030500800
D5757030501000
D5757030501200
D5757032200000
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
(i) For airplanes having conditions
specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i)(A),
(g)(2)(i)(B), (g)(2)(i)(C), and (g)(2)(i)(D) of this
AD: Before further flight, replace the
interconnecting strut with a serviceable unit,
in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–
27–1206, Revision 01, dated October 10,
2011. For the purposes of this AD, a
serviceable interconnecting strut is a unit
which has been determined to be in
compliance with the following requirements
of this AD:
(A) A target part number (P/N) ABS0121–
13 or P/N 8–536–01; and
(B) A target serial number lower than 1600,
or a target serial number that is unreadable;
and
(C) A proximity sensor having P/N
ABS0121–31 or P/N 8–372–04; and
(D) A proximity sensor having a serial
number between C59198 and C59435, or a
serial number (S/N) C500000 or higher.
(ii) For a target having S/N 1600 or higher
and target P/N ABS0121–13 or P/N 8–536–
01: Within 8,000 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD, re-identify the
interconnecting strut, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin A320–27–1206, Revision 01,
dated October 10, 2011.
(h) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install an interconnecting strut
with a part number specified in figure 1 to
paragraph (g) of this AD, on any airplane,
except for parts identified in paragraph
(g)(2)(ii) of this AD, provided that the actions
in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) are done.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:22 Feb 18, 2014
Jkt 232001
Bulletin A320–27–1206, dated January 28,
2011, and if additional work has been
accomplished using Airbus Service Bulletin
A320–27–1206, Revision 01, dated October
10, 2011. Airbus Service Bulletin A320–27–
1206, dated January 28, 2011, is not
incorporated by reference in this AD.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, International
Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the International Branch, send it to ATTN:
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–
3356; telephone (425) 227–1405; fax (425)
227–1149. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
Before using any approved AMOC, notify
your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC
approval letter must specifically reference
this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement
in this AD to obtain corrective actions from
a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective
actions are considered FAA-approved if they
are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required
to assure the product is airworthy before it
is returned to service.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2012–0012, dated
January 23, 2012, for related information.
This MCAI may be found in the AD docket
on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0791-0002.
(2) Service information identified in this
AD that is not incorporated by reference may
be viewed at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–27–1206,
Revision 01, dated October 10, 2011.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness
Office—EAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33
5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
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account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet
https://www.airbus.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
202–741–6030, or go to: https://www.archives.
gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January
22, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–02996 Filed 2–18–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0735; Directorate
Identifier 2013–SW–014–AD; Amendment
39–17748; AD 2014–03–11]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell
Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell)
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Model 204B helicopters with a certain
cable assembly installed. This AD
requires inspecting the tail rotor (T/R)
cable assembly for an incorrectly
machined body. This AD is prompted
by a report from Bell that a defective
body on the cable prevents the barrel
assembly from fully engaging in the
body cavity. These actions are intended
to prevent disengagement of the cable
from the barrel, failure of the T/R pitch
control, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective March 26,
2014.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain document listed in this AD
as of March 26, 2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact Bell
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482,
Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone (817)
280–3391; fax (817) 280–6466; or at
https://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
You may review a copy of the
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 33 / Wednesday, February 19, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
exist or develop on other products of the
same type design and that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the
AD requirements as proposed.
referenced service information at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
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 AD, any
incorporated-by-reference service
information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the
Docket Operations Office (phone: 800–
647–5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations
Office, M–30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Helene Gandy, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222–5413; email
7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Discussion
On August 20, 2013, at 78 FR 51126,
the Federal Register published our
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM),
which proposed to amend 14 CFR part
39 by adding an AD that would apply
to Bell Model 204B helicopters with a
cable assembly, part number 205–001–
720–001 installed. The NPRM proposed
to require inspecting each cable
assembly to determine if an incorrectly
machined body is installed. If an
incorrectly machined body is installed,
the NPRM proposed to require replacing
the cable assembly within 100 hours
time-in-service (TIS). Until the cable
assembly is replaced, the NPRM
proposed to require inspecting the
assembly for separation daily.
The proposed requirements were
intended to prevent disengagement of
the cable from the body, T/R pitch
control failure in a fixed position, and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD, but
we did not receive any comments on the
NPRM (78 FR 51126, August 20, 2013).
FAA’s Determination
We have reviewed the relevant
information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:22 Feb 18, 2014
Jkt 232001
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Alert Service
Bulletin No. 204B–12–68, dated October
10, 2012 (ASB), which describes
procedures for inspecting the barrel
assembly to determine if an incorrectly
machined body is installed. If an
incorrectly machined body is installed,
the ASB specifies replacing the cable
assembly. The ASB further specifies
inspecting the barrel assembly and cable
connection daily until the cable
assembly is replaced.
Differences Between This AD and the
Service Information
The ASB specifies replacing any
defective cable assembly within 100
hours TIS or by January 31, 2013; this
AD requires replacing the cable
assembly within 100 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 9
helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate
that operators will incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.
At an average labor rate of $85 per hour,
inspecting the barrel assembly requires
about 1 work-hour, for a cost per
helicopter of $85 and a total cost of $765
for the fleet. If required, replacing a
defective cable assembly requires about
8 work-hours, and required parts cost
about $625, for a cost per helicopter of
$1,305.
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.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
9401
Regulatory Findings
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska to the extent that it justifies
making a regulatory distinction; and
(4) 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 and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
2014–03–11 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
(Bell) Helicopters: Amendment 39–
17748; Docket No. FAA–2013–0735;
Directorate Identifier 2013–SW–014–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Model 204B
helicopters with a cable assembly, part
number 205–001–720–001 installed,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an
incorrectly machined body on the cable
assembly, which could prevent the barrel
assembly from fully engaging in the body
cavity. This condition could result in
disengagement of the cable from the barrel,
failure of the tail rotor pitch control, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 33 / Wednesday, February 19, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective March 26, 2014.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each
action required by this AD within the
specified compliance time unless it has
already been accomplished prior to that time.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
(202) 741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
(e) Required Actions
(1) Within 25 hours time in service (TIS),
inspect each cable assembly to determine if
there is a false cut on the body of the barrel
assembly, as depicted in Figure 1 of Bell
Alert Service Bulletin No. 204B–12–68, dated
October 10, 2012.
(2) If there is a false cut, before the first
flight of each day, inspect the cable assembly
for separation of the barrel assembly from the
body. If there is any separation, before further
flight, replace the cable assembly.
(3) Within 100 hours TIS, replace the cable
assembly with an airworthy cable assembly
that does not have a false cut in the body.
Replacing the cable assembly is terminating
action for the inspections required by
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 31,
2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification
Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Helene Gandy,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft
Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate,
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5413;
email 7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
you notify your principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office before
operating any aircraft complying with this
AD through an AMOC.
Delegation of Authority Regarding
Consideration of Notice of Penalty
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
(g) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6720: Tail Rotor Control System.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 204B–
12–68, dated October 10, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Bell service information identified
in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron,
Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone (817) 280–3391; fax (817) 280–
6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com/
files/.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:22 Feb 18, 2014
Jkt 232001
[FR Doc. 2014–02961 Filed 2–18–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
18 CFR Part 375
[Docket No. RM14–5–000; Order No. 795]
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, DOE.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The Commission issues this
Final Rule to revise its regulations to
delegate authority to the Director of the
Commission’s Office of Electric
Reliability to issue orders extending the
period of time for consideration of
Notices of Penalty filed by the Electric
Reliability Organization. In addition,
this Final Rule revises the Commission’s
regulations to remove the same
authority, and certain related authority,
that is currently delegated to the
Director of the Commission’s Office of
Enforcement. These revisions are
necessary to enable the Commission to
process routine, non-controversial
Notices of Penalty in a timely and
efficient manner.
DATES: Effective Date: This Rule will
become effective February 19, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Matthew Vlissides, Office of the General
Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–8408,
Matthew.Vlissides@ferc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Before Commissioners: Cheryl A.
LaFleur, Acting Chairman; Philip D.
Moeller, John R. Norris, and Tony
Clark.
SUMMARY:
Final Rule
1. The Commission issues this Final
Rule to revise its delegations of
Frm 00024
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
I. Background
2. The Energy Policy Act of 2005
added section 215 to the Federal Power
Act (FPA), which requires a
Commission-certified Electric
Reliability Organization to develop
mandatory and enforceable Reliability
Standards, subject to Commission
review and approval.1 Pursuant to FPA
section 215(e)(1), the ERO may impose
a penalty on a user, owner or operator
of the Bulk-Power System for a violation
of a Reliability Standard approved by
the Commission. Pursuant to FPA
section 215(e)(4), the Commission
authorized NERC, in its capacity as the
ERO, to delegate authority to impose
such penalties to eight Regional Entities
through Commission-approved
Delegation Agreements. Under FPA
section 215(e), NERC must file each
Notice with the Commission. The
penalty is subject to Commission review
upon its own motion or upon
application by the entity subject to the
proposed penalty within 30 days. If no
review is sought or initiated, the penalty
takes effect by operation of law.
3. In Order No. 728, the Commission
determined that, in many cases
involving the assessment of zero dollar
penalties, Notices could be processed
without a Commission vote.2
Previously, when the Commission
received a Notice, it was analyzed
within thirty days by staff from the
Office of Enforcement, the Office of
Electric Reliability, and the Office of
General Counsel, who then
recommended to the Commission
whether the Notice should become
1 16
(Issued February 11, 2014)
PO 00000
authority to allow for the efficient and
timely processing of Notices of Penalty
(Notices) issued by the North American
Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC),
the Commission-certified Electric
Reliability Organization (ERO).
Specifically, this Final Rule delegates
authority to the Director of the Office of
Electric Reliability to issue orders
extending the period of time for
consideration of Notices filed by the
ERO. This Final Rule removes the same
authority currently delegated to the
Director of the Office of Enforcement to
extend the period of time to consider
Notices. This Final Rule also removes
the authority delegated to the Director of
the Office of Enforcement to direct
NERC or applicable Regional Entities to
submit information when necessary to
process Notices without the need for
Commission action.
U.S.C. 824o.
for Notices of Penalty, Order No.
728, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 31,298, at P 5 (2009)
(cross-referenced at 129 FERC ¶ 61,094 (2009)).
2 Delegations
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9400-9402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02961]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0735; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-014-AD;
Amendment 39-17748; AD 2014-03-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell)
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Model 204B helicopters with a certain cable assembly installed. This AD
requires inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) cable assembly for an
incorrectly machined body. This AD is prompted by a report from Bell
that a defective body on the cable prevents the barrel assembly from
fully engaging in the body cavity. These actions are intended to
prevent disengagement of the cable from the barrel, failure of the T/R
pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective March 26, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of March 26, 2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone
(817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of the
[[Page 9401]]
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
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 AD, any incorporated-by-reference
service information, the economic evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helene Gandy, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5413;
email 7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On August 20, 2013, at 78 FR 51126, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Model 204B
helicopters with a cable assembly, part number 205-001-720-001
installed. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting each cable assembly
to determine if an incorrectly machined body is installed. If an
incorrectly machined body is installed, the NPRM proposed to require
replacing the cable assembly within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS).
Until the cable assembly is replaced, the NPRM proposed to require
inspecting the assembly for separation daily.
The proposed requirements were intended to prevent disengagement of
the cable from the body, T/R pitch control failure in a fixed position,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 51126,
August 20, 2013).
FAA's Determination
We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design and that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 204B-12-68, dated
October 10, 2012 (ASB), which describes procedures for inspecting the
barrel assembly to determine if an incorrectly machined body is
installed. If an incorrectly machined body is installed, the ASB
specifies replacing the cable assembly. The ASB further specifies
inspecting the barrel assembly and cable connection daily until the
cable assembly is replaced.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
The ASB specifies replacing any defective cable assembly within 100
hours TIS or by January 31, 2013; this AD requires replacing the cable
assembly within 100 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 9 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators will incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour,
inspecting the barrel assembly requires about 1 work-hour, for a cost
per helicopter of $85 and a total cost of $765 for the fleet. If
required, replacing a defective cable assembly requires about 8 work-
hours, and required parts cost about $625, for a cost per helicopter of
$1,305.
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
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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
(4) 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 and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2014-03-11 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Helicopters:
Amendment 39-17748; Docket No. FAA-2013-0735; Directorate Identifier
2013-SW-014-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Model 204B helicopters with a cable
assembly, part number 205-001-720-001 installed, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an incorrectly machined
body on the cable assembly, which could prevent the barrel assembly
from fully engaging in the body cavity. This condition could result
in disengagement of the cable from the barrel, failure of the tail
rotor pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
[[Page 9402]]
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective March 26, 2014.
(d) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been
accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Actions
(1) Within 25 hours time in service (TIS), inspect each cable
assembly to determine if there is a false cut on the body of the
barrel assembly, as depicted in Figure 1 of Bell Alert Service
Bulletin No. 204B-12-68, dated October 10, 2012.
(2) If there is a false cut, before the first flight of each
day, inspect the cable assembly for separation of the barrel
assembly from the body. If there is any separation, before further
flight, replace the cable assembly.
(3) Within 100 hours TIS, replace the cable assembly with an
airworthy cable assembly that does not have a false cut in the body.
Replacing the cable assembly is terminating action for the
inspections required by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Helene Gandy,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222-5413; email 7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(g) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720: Tail Rotor
Control System.
(h) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 204B-12-68, dated October
10, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Bell service information identified in this AD, contact
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 31, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-02961 Filed 2-18-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P