Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc., Helicopters, 45322-45324 [2014-18163]

Download as PDF 45322 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 150 / Tuesday, August 5, 2014 / Rules and Regulations (3) B/E AEROSPACE Service Bulletin 22CXX–0100–35–003, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2011. (k) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD, as applicable. (1) B/E AEROSPACE Service Bulletin 1XCXX–0100–35–005, dated March 14, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD. (2) B/E AEROSPACE Service Bulletin 22CXX–0100–35–003, dated March 17, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES (l) 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, WA 98057–3356; telephone 425–227–1405; fax 425–227–1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116AMOC-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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus’s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (m) Related Information (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012–0083, dated May 16, 2012, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!document Detail;D=FAA-2012-0807-0006. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference may be viewed at the addresses specified in paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD. (n) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Aug 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 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 A320–35A1047, dated March 29, 2011. (ii) B/E AEROSPACE Service Bulletin 1XCXX–0100–35–005, Revision 1, dated December 15, 2012. (iii) B/E AEROSPACE Service Bulletin 22CXX–0100–35–003, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2011. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email 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 July 9, 2014. Jeffrey E. Duven, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2014–16706 Filed 8–4–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2014–0514; Directorate Identifier 2014–SW–027–AD; Amendment 39–17925; AD 2014–16–01] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc., Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. AGENCY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), Model MD900 helicopters. This AD requires an eddy current inspection of the main rotor upper hub assembly (upper hub) for a crack and replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub before further flight if there is a crack. This AD is prompted by a report of cracks on an upper hub at the blade attach holes. The actions specified by this AD are SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 intended to detect a crack in the upper hub to prevent failure of the upper hub and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD becomes effective August 20, 2014. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of August 20, 2014. We must receive comments on this AD by October 6, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. DATES: 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 (telephone 800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. For service information identified in this AD, contact MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215–9734; telephone 1– 800–388–3378; fax 480–346–6813; or at https://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627– 5348; email eric.schrieber@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\05AUR1.SGM 05AUR1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 150 / Tuesday, August 5, 2014 / Rules and Regulations Comments Invited This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments. performing a one-time eddy current inspection. If there is a crack, the service bulletin specifies removing the upper hub, tagging it as unairworthy and returning it to MDHI, and replacing it with an airworthy upper hub. Discussion We are adopting a new AD for MDHI Model MD900 helicopters. This AD requires cleaning the upper hub and performing an eddy current inspection of the upper hub for a crack. If there is a crack, this AD requires replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub before further flight. This AD is prompted by a report that four cracks were found at the blade attach holes on a high-time upper hub. This is the first time a crack has been reported in an upper hub at this location in the MD900 fleet. We are issuing this AD to detect a crack on the upper hub, which if not corrected could result in failure of the upper hub and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. Interim Action We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES FAA’s Determination We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of the same type design. Related Service Information MDHI has issued Service Bulletin SB900–122, dated April 8, 2014. The service bulletin specifies a one-time visual inspection of the upper hub for a crack and damage. If there is damage, the service bulletin specifies replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub. If there are no visible cracks or damage, the service bulletin specifies VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Aug 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 AD Requirements This AD requires, within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs first, cleaning the upper hub inspection areas and eddy current inspecting the upper hub for a crack. The eddy current inspection must be done by a level II or higher technician with the National Aerospace Standard 410 or equivalent certification who has performed an eddy current inspection in the last 12 months. If there is a crack, before further flight, this AD requires replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub. Differences Between This AD and the Service Information This AD does not require you to contact the manufacturer, return a cracked upper hub to the manufacturer, or do a visual inspection of the upper hub, as does the service information. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD will affect 23 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate $85 for labor costs. We estimate 1 work hour to do an eddy current inspection for a cost of $85 per helicopter and a total fleet cost of $1,955. We estimate 11 work hours to replace an upper hub with a required parts cost of $15,998 for a total cost of $16,933 per helicopter. FAA’s Justification and Determination of the Effective Date Providing an opportunity for public comments before adopting these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment before adopting this rule because the required corrective actions must be done within 25 hours TIS, which will be accumulated in about one month based on the average flight-hour utilization rate of these helicopters that are mostly used for emergency medical service. Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD, we determined that notice an opportunity for public comment before PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 45323 issuing this AD are impracticable and contrary to the public interest and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. 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 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, 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: E:\FR\FM\05AUR1.SGM 05AUR1 45324 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 150 / Tuesday, August 5, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 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. 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): ■ 2014–16–01 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39–17925; Docket No. FAA–2014–0514; Directorate Identifier 2014–SW–027–AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model MD900 helicopters, serial numbers 900–00008 through 900–00140, with main rotor upper hub assembly (upper hub) part number 900R2101006–105, –107, –109, or –111 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a cracked upper hub. This condition could result in failure of the upper hub and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective August 20, 2014. (d) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been previously accomplished. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES (e) Required Actions Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs first: (1) Clean each upper hub inspection area as shown in Figure 1 of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900–122, dated April 8, 2014 (SB900–122). (2) Eddy current inspect the upper hub for a crack by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A.(3) through 2.A.(11) of SB900–122. This eddy current inspection must be performed by a Level II or higher technician with the National Aerospace Standard 410 or equivalent certification who has performed an eddy current inspection within the last 12 months. If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Eric Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627–5348; email eric.schrieber@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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:53 Aug 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 (g) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor Head. (h) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900– 122, dated April 8, 2014. (ii) Reserved. (3) For MD Helicopters, Inc. service information identified in this AD, contact MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215–9734; telephone 1–800–388–3378; fax 480–346– 6813; or at https://www.mdhelicopters.com. (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/ibrlocations.html. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 24, 2014. Lance T. Gant, Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2014–18163 Filed 8–4–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2013–0790; Directorate Identifier 2013–NM–061–AD; Amendment 39–17916; AD 2014–15–14] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 89–12–10, for certain The Boeing Company Model 747 airplanes. AD 89–12–10 required SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 replacement of certain underwing fuel tank access doors with stronger, fireresistant doors. This new AD requires inspecting certain fuel tank access doors for installation of impact-resistant doors, and stencils and index markers; corrective actions if necessary; revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain new airworthiness limitations; and adding airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report of a standard access door installed instead of an impact-resistant access door and stencils missing from some impact-resistant access doors and adjacent wing skin. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object penetration of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an ignition source (e.g., hot brakes or engine exhaust nozzle), consequently leading to a fuel-fed fire. DATES: This AD is effective September 9, 2014. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 9, 2014. ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; Internet https:// www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced 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. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2013– 0790; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6438; fax: E:\FR\FM\05AUR1.SGM 05AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45322-45324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18163]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0514; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-027-AD; 
Amendment 39-17925; AD 2014-16-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc., Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD 
Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), Model MD900 helicopters. This AD requires an 
eddy current inspection of the main rotor upper hub assembly (upper 
hub) for a crack and replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper 
hub before further flight if there is a crack. This AD is prompted by a 
report of cracks on an upper hub at the blade attach holes. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to detect a crack in the upper hub to 
prevent failure of the upper hub and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 20, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of August 20, 
2014.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 6, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact MD 
Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell 
Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 1-800-388-3378; fax 
480-346-6813; or at https://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Schrieber, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; 
telephone (562) 627-5348; email eric.schrieber@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 45323]]

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    We are adopting a new AD for MDHI Model MD900 helicopters. This AD 
requires cleaning the upper hub and performing an eddy current 
inspection of the upper hub for a crack. If there is a crack, this AD 
requires replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub before 
further flight. This AD is prompted by a report that four cracks were 
found at the blade attach holes on a high-time upper hub. This is the 
first time a crack has been reported in an upper hub at this location 
in the MD900 fleet. We are issuing this AD to detect a crack on the 
upper hub, which if not corrected could result in failure of the upper 
hub and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of the same type 
design.

Related Service Information

    MDHI has issued Service Bulletin SB900-122, dated April 8, 2014. 
The service bulletin specifies a one-time visual inspection of the 
upper hub for a crack and damage. If there is damage, the service 
bulletin specifies replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub. 
If there are no visible cracks or damage, the service bulletin 
specifies performing a one-time eddy current inspection. If there is a 
crack, the service bulletin specifies removing the upper hub, tagging 
it as unairworthy and returning it to MDHI, and replacing it with an 
airworthy upper hub.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 
at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs first, cleaning the 
upper hub inspection areas and eddy current inspecting the upper hub 
for a crack. The eddy current inspection must be done by a level II or 
higher technician with the National Aerospace Standard 410 or 
equivalent certification who has performed an eddy current inspection 
in the last 12 months. If there is a crack, before further flight, this 
AD requires replacing the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    This AD does not require you to contact the manufacturer, return a 
cracked upper hub to the manufacturer, or do a visual inspection of the 
upper hub, as does the service information.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 23 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate $85 for labor costs. We estimate 1 work hour to 
do an eddy current inspection for a cost of $85 per helicopter and a 
total fleet cost of $1,955. We estimate 11 work hours to replace an 
upper hub with a required parts cost of $15,998 for a total cost of 
$16,933 per helicopter.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments before adopting these 
AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions needed to 
correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that the risk 
to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment before 
adopting this rule because the required corrective actions must be done 
within 25 hours TIS, which will be accumulated in about one month based 
on the average flight-hour utilization rate of these helicopters that 
are mostly used for emergency medical service.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice an opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and contrary to 
the public interest and that good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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 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, 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:

[[Page 45324]]

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):

2014-16-01 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-17925; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0514; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-027-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MD900 helicopters, serial numbers 900-
00008 through 900-00140, with main rotor upper hub assembly (upper 
hub) part number 900R2101006-105, -107, -109, or -111 installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a cracked upper hub. 
This condition could result in failure of the upper hub and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 20, 2014.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
previously accomplished.

(e) Required Actions

    Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next 
annual inspection, whichever occurs first:
    (1) Clean each upper hub inspection area as shown in Figure 1 of 
MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-122, dated April 8, 2014 
(SB900-122).
    (2) Eddy current inspect the upper hub for a crack by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A.(3) through 2.A.(11) 
of SB900-122. This eddy current inspection must be performed by a 
Level II or higher technician with the National Aerospace Standard 
410 or equivalent certification who has performed an eddy current 
inspection within the last 12 months. If there is a crack, before 
further flight, replace the upper hub with an airworthy upper hub.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Eric 
Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 
(562) 627-5348; email eric.schrieber@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: 6220 Main Rotor 
Head.

 (h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-122, dated April 8, 
2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For MD Helicopters, Inc. service information identified in 
this AD, contact MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support 
Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; 
telephone 1-800-388-3378; fax 480-346-6813; or at https://www.mdhelicopters.com.
    (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 July 24, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-18163 Filed 8-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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