Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI), Helicopters, 59663-59665 [2020-20930]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 185 / Wednesday, September 23, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as an
unstaked swashplate assembly bearing which
may migrate out of its bore. This condition
could result in restricted control authority,
unintended loads on the control system,
failure of the control tube or bearing, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 8, 2020.
(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
Within 20 hours time-in-service, inspect
both sides of each swashplate assembly
bearing (bearing) for staking by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 4.,
of Bell Alert Service Bulletin 505–19–13,
dated July 2, 2019, except you may use a 10X
or higher power magnifying glass. If either
side of a bearing is not staked, before further
flight, remove the bearing from service.
(f) Special Flight Permits
A special flight permit may be permitted
for a one-time ferry flight to an authorized
repair facility.
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(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Daniel E. Moore,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations &
Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817–222–5110; email 9ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
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.
(h) Additional Information
(1) Bell Helicopter BHT–ALL–SPM Chapter
9—Bearings, Sleeves, and Bushings Revision
7 dated March 24, 2017 dated, which is not
incorporated by reference, contains
additional information about the subject of
this AD. For service information identified in
this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron
Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir,
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone 450–437–
2862 or 800–363–8023; fax 450–433–0272; or
at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may
view a copy of the service information at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
Transport Canada AD No. CF–2019–28, dated
July 25, 2019. You may view the Transport
Canada AD on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating it in Docket No. FAA–2020–0795.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Jkt 250001
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6230, Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate.
(j) 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) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 505–19–13,
dated July 2, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron
Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir,
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone 450–437–
2862 or 800–363–8023; fax 450–433–0272; or
at https://www.bellcustomer.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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,
email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on September 3, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–20911 Filed 9–22–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0483; Product
Identifier 2016–SW–066–AD; Amendment
39–21241; AD 2020–18–20]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; MD
Helicopters Inc. (MDHI), Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model
369A, 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE,
369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N
helicopters. This AD was prompted by
reports of abrasion strips departing the
main rotor (MR) blade in-flight. This AD
requires tap inspecting each MR blade
leading edge abrasion strip. The FAA is
SUMMARY:
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59663
issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 28,
2020.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of October 28, 2020.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this final rule, contact
Helicopter Technology Company, LLC,
address 12902 South Broadway, Los
Angeles, CA 90061; telephone (310)
523–2750; email gburdorf@
helicoptertech.com; or at https://
www.helicoptertech.com. You may view
this service information at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy, Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX
76177. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222–5110. It is also available
on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2020–
0483.
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–2020–
0483; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this final rule,
any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket
Operations is Docket Operations, 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:
Payman Soltani, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,
California 90712; telephone (562) 627–
5313; email payman.soltani@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to MDHI Model 369A, 369D,
369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM,
369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters
with a MR blade part number (P/N)
500P2100–105, P/N 500P2100–305, P/N
500P2300–505, P/N 369D21120–505, P/
N 369D21121–505, or P/N 369D21123–
505 with a 1.25 inch chord length nickel
abrasion strip (abrasion strip)
manufactured or installed by Helicopter
Technology Company, LLC (HTC), or
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 185 / Wednesday, September 23, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
where the manufacturer of the abrasion
strip is unknown, except if the abrasion
strip has accumulated 700 or more
hours time-in-service (TIS). The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
May 14, 2020 (85 FR 28895).
The NPRM was prompted by reports
of leading edge abrasion strips
manufactured by HTC departing the MR
blades during flight. An investigation
determined that the abrasion strips were
manufactured from electroformed
nickel, have a chord length of 1.25 inch,
and are delaminating from the MR blade
before departing from the helicopter.
HTC has determined that a repetitive
tap inspection of the abrasion strips
should be performed on all blades with
abrasion strips that have less than 700
hours TIS to detect any voids, including
blistering, bubbling, or lifting of the
abrasion strip. Identical looking
electroformed nickel abrasion strips
with a chord length of 1.25 inch
manufactured by other repair stations
have not departed in flight and therefore
were not proposed as the subject of this
AD.
To address this unsafe condition, the
NPRM proposed to require tap
inspecting the abrasion strip within 10
hours TIS and thereafter before the first
flight of each day until the abrasion
strip has accumulated 700 or more
hours TIS since installation.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the
opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. The following presents
the comments received on the NPRM
and the FAA’s response to each
comment.
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Supportive Comment
The FAA received one comment in
support of the NPRM.
Requests
Request: HTC stated that the NPRM
proposed to mandate its service bulletin
that was issued June 1, 2017, and that
there has not been a documented case
of an abrasion strip departure related to
this issue in 4 years. HTC further stated
that the majority of affected operators
have either modified the abrasion strip
or accumulated more than 700 hours
TIS, such that the proposed AD would
no longer apply. Although HTC did not
request any changes to the NPRM, the
FAA infers that this commenter would
like the FAA to withdraw the proposed
AD.
FAA’s Response: The FAA partially
agrees. The FAA has not received any
reports of an abrasion strip departure
related to this issue since issuance of
the HTC service bulletin. In addition,
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17:05 Sep 22, 2020
Jkt 250001
about a third of the abrasion strips have
been modified and others have
accumulated more than 700 hours TIS,
and therefore would not be affected by
this AD. However, because some
affected abrasion strips are still in
service or may be stored as spare parts,
the unsafe condition exists and
corrective action is necessary. The FAA
has made no changes based on these
comments.
Request: Wilson Construction
requested that the FAA change the
NPRM to allow pilots to perform the tap
test following proper training, to avoid
difficulties complying with the AD
while away from base of operations or
during cross country flights. The
commenter stated that this would be
consistent with AD 88–17–09 R1
(Amendment 39–6400; 54 FR 48583,
November 24, 1989) (‘‘AD 88–17–09
R1’’), which allows a pilot to perform a
pre-flight check, and that the test itself
is simple to perform.
FAA’s Response: The FAA disagrees.
AD 88–17–09 R1 allows the pilot to
perform a check of the tail boom
extension for security. This check is an
exception to the FAA’s standard
maintenance regulations and is allowed
in AD 88–17–09 R1 because it is a visual
check that can be performed equally
well by a pilot or a mechanic and does
not require training or the use of tools.
Since the tap inspection proposed in the
NPRM would require both training and
the use of a tool, allowing a pilot to
perform it is not acceptable. The FAA
made no changes in this final rule based
on this comment.
Request: Wilson Construction stated
the inspection criteria in the proposed
AD are already specified by the
manufacturer of the MR blades (HTC)
and by MDHI. The commenter stated if
owners/operators would follow the
manufacturer’s instructions, then an AD
would not be necessary.
FAA’s Response: The FAA agrees. Not
all operators are required to incorporate
a manufacturer’s maintenance
instructions into the operator’s
maintenance program. Where the FAA
has determined that a manufacturer’s
maintenance instructions are necessary
to correct an unsafe condition, the FAA
must issue an AD to mandate those
instructions. The FAA made no changes
in this final rule based on this comment.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA has reviewed the relevant
information, considered the comments
received, and determined that an unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of these same
type designs and that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
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requirements as proposed with minor
editorial changes. These minor changes
are consistent with the proposals in the
NPRM and will not increase the
economic burden on any operator nor
increase the scope of the AD.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed HTC Mandatory
Service Bulletin Notice No. 2100–8R4,
dated June 1, 2017, which specifies a
daily tap inspection of the MR blade
abrasion strip to detect voids. If there
are any voids, this service information
specifies repairing or replacing the MR
blade, depending on the size, quantity,
and location of any damage.
This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties
have access to it through their normal
course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 50 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
The FAA estimates that operators may
incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD.
At an average labor rate of $85 per
hour, tap-testing the MR blades requires
about 0.25 work-hour, for a cost per
helicopter of $22 per inspection cycle.
If required, replacing an MR blade
requires about 1 work-hour and required
parts cost up to $24,130, for a cost per
helicopter of $24,215.
According to HTC’s service
information, some of the costs of this
AD may be covered under warranty,
thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not
control warranty coverage by HTC.
Accordingly, the FAA has included all
costs in this cost estimate.
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.
The FAA is 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 185 / Wednesday, September 23, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, 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.
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):
■
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2020–18–20 MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI):
Amendment 39–21241; Docket No.
FAA–2020–0483; Product Identifier
2016–SW–066–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to MD Helicopters Inc.
(MDHI) Model 369A, 369D, 369E, 369FF,
369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and
600N helicopters, certificated in any
category, with a main rotor (MR) blade part
number (P/N) 500P2100–105, P/N 500P2100–
305, P/N 500P2300–505, P/N 369D21120–
505, P/N 369D21121–505, or P/N
369D21123–505 with a 1.25 inch chord
length nickel abrasion strip (abrasion strip)
manufactured or installed by Helicopter
Technology Company, LLC (HTC), or where
the manufacturer of the abrasion strip is
unknown. This AD does not apply if the
abrasion strip has accumulated 700 or more
hours time-in-service (TIS).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:05 Sep 22, 2020
Jkt 250001
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
failure of the bond between the leading edge
abrasion strip and an MR blade. This
condition could result in the abrasion strip
departing the MR blade in-flight, subsequent
imbalance of the rotor system, and loss of
control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 28,
2020.
(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
Within 10 hours TIS and thereafter before
the first flight of each day, tap inspect each
MR blade leading edge abrasion strip for a
void in accordance with Part 1—Inspection,
paragraphs 2 through 4, of HTC Mandatory
Service Bulletin Notice No. 2100–8R4, dated
June 1, 2017.
(1) If there is a void within 0.5 inch (12.7
mm) of the edge of the abrasion strip, before
further flight, replace the MR blade.
(2) If there is a void larger than 0.5 square
inch (322.6 square mm) or if there is more
than one void of any size, before further
flight, replace the MR blade.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send
your proposal to: Payman Soltani, Aviation
Safety Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,
California 90712; telephone (562) 627–5313;
email 9-ANM-LAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@
faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
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: 6210, Main Rotor Blade.
(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) Helicopter Technology Company, LLC,
Mandatory Service Bulletin Notice No. 2100–
8R4, dated June 1, 2017.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Helicopter Technology
Company, LLC, address 12902 South
Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90061; telephone
(310) 523–2750; email gburdorf@
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59665
helicoptertech.com; or at https://
www.helicoptertech.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy,
Room 6N 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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,
email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on August 31, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–20930 Filed 9–22–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0828; Airspace
Docket No. 20–AWA–1]
RIN 2120–AA66
Amendment of Phoenix Sky Harbor
Class B Legal Description
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, technical
amendment.
AGENCY:
This action amends the
Phoenix Sky Harbor Class B legal
description by accurately reflecting the
name of the geographical reference
point, I–10/Squaw Peak Stack to I–10/
Stack contained in the Area A and Area
D legal description. The FAA is taking
this action because the local community
removed Squaw Peak from the
geographical reference point and to
ensure accurate information is reflected.
DATES: 0901 UTC, December 31, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register
approves this incorporation by reference
action under Title 1 Code of Federal
Regulation part 51, subject to the annual
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and
publication of conforming amendments.
ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11E,
Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, and subsequent amendments can
be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/
air_traffic/publications/. For further
information, you can contact the Rules
and Regulations Group, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\23SER1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 185 (Wednesday, September 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59663-59665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20930]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0483; Product Identifier 2016-SW-066-AD; Amendment
39-21241; AD 2020-18-20]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI), Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 369A, 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H,
369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This AD was prompted
by reports of abrasion strips departing the main rotor (MR) blade in-
flight. This AD requires tap inspecting each MR blade leading edge
abrasion strip. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 28, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 28,
2020.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Helicopter Technology Company, LLC, address 12902 South
Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90061; telephone (310) 523-2750; email
[email protected]; or at https://www.helicoptertech.com. You
may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort
Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0483.
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-2020-
0483; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is Docket Operations, 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: Payman Soltani, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,
California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5313; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to MDHI Model 369A, 369D,
369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters with
a MR blade part number (P/N) 500P2100-105, P/N 500P2100-305, P/N
500P2300-505, P/N 369D21120-505, P/N 369D21121-505, or P/N 369D21123-
505 with a 1.25 inch chord length nickel abrasion strip (abrasion
strip) manufactured or installed by Helicopter Technology Company, LLC
(HTC), or
[[Page 59664]]
where the manufacturer of the abrasion strip is unknown, except if the
abrasion strip has accumulated 700 or more hours time-in-service (TIS).
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2020 (85 FR
28895).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of leading edge abrasion strips
manufactured by HTC departing the MR blades during flight. An
investigation determined that the abrasion strips were manufactured
from electroformed nickel, have a chord length of 1.25 inch, and are
delaminating from the MR blade before departing from the helicopter.
HTC has determined that a repetitive tap inspection of the abrasion
strips should be performed on all blades with abrasion strips that have
less than 700 hours TIS to detect any voids, including blistering,
bubbling, or lifting of the abrasion strip. Identical looking
electroformed nickel abrasion strips with a chord length of 1.25 inch
manufactured by other repair stations have not departed in flight and
therefore were not proposed as the subject of this AD.
To address this unsafe condition, the NPRM proposed to require tap
inspecting the abrasion strip within 10 hours TIS and thereafter before
the first flight of each day until the abrasion strip has accumulated
700 or more hours TIS since installation.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Supportive Comment
The FAA received one comment in support of the NPRM.
Requests
Request: HTC stated that the NPRM proposed to mandate its service
bulletin that was issued June 1, 2017, and that there has not been a
documented case of an abrasion strip departure related to this issue in
4 years. HTC further stated that the majority of affected operators
have either modified the abrasion strip or accumulated more than 700
hours TIS, such that the proposed AD would no longer apply. Although
HTC did not request any changes to the NPRM, the FAA infers that this
commenter would like the FAA to withdraw the proposed AD.
FAA's Response: The FAA partially agrees. The FAA has not received
any reports of an abrasion strip departure related to this issue since
issuance of the HTC service bulletin. In addition, about a third of the
abrasion strips have been modified and others have accumulated more
than 700 hours TIS, and therefore would not be affected by this AD.
However, because some affected abrasion strips are still in service or
may be stored as spare parts, the unsafe condition exists and
corrective action is necessary. The FAA has made no changes based on
these comments.
Request: Wilson Construction requested that the FAA change the NPRM
to allow pilots to perform the tap test following proper training, to
avoid difficulties complying with the AD while away from base of
operations or during cross country flights. The commenter stated that
this would be consistent with AD 88-17-09 R1 (Amendment 39-6400; 54 FR
48583, November 24, 1989) (``AD 88-17-09 R1''), which allows a pilot to
perform a pre-flight check, and that the test itself is simple to
perform.
FAA's Response: The FAA disagrees. AD 88-17-09 R1 allows the pilot
to perform a check of the tail boom extension for security. This check
is an exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations and is
allowed in AD 88-17-09 R1 because it is a visual check that can be
performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic and does not require
training or the use of tools. Since the tap inspection proposed in the
NPRM would require both training and the use of a tool, allowing a
pilot to perform it is not acceptable. The FAA made no changes in this
final rule based on this comment.
Request: Wilson Construction stated the inspection criteria in the
proposed AD are already specified by the manufacturer of the MR blades
(HTC) and by MDHI. The commenter stated if owners/operators would
follow the manufacturer's instructions, then an AD would not be
necessary.
FAA's Response: The FAA agrees. Not all operators are required to
incorporate a manufacturer's maintenance instructions into the
operator's maintenance program. Where the FAA has determined that a
manufacturer's maintenance instructions are necessary to correct an
unsafe condition, the FAA must issue an AD to mandate those
instructions. The FAA made no changes in this final rule based on this
comment.
FAA's Determination
The FAA has reviewed the relevant information, considered the
comments received, and determined that an unsafe condition exists and
is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type
designs and that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD requirements as proposed with minor editorial changes. These
minor changes are consistent with the proposals in the NPRM and will
not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope
of the AD.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed HTC Mandatory Service Bulletin Notice No. 2100-
8R4, dated June 1, 2017, which specifies a daily tap inspection of the
MR blade abrasion strip to detect voids. If there are any voids, this
service information specifies repairing or replacing the MR blade,
depending on the size, quantity, and location of any damage.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 50 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.
At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, tap-testing the MR blades
requires about 0.25 work-hour, for a cost per helicopter of $22 per
inspection cycle. If required, replacing an MR blade requires about 1
work-hour and required parts cost up to $24,130, for a cost per
helicopter of $24,215.
According to HTC's service information, some of the costs of this
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage by
HTC. Accordingly, the FAA has included all costs in this cost estimate.
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.
The FAA is 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
[[Page 59665]]
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
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):
2020-18-20 MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI): Amendment 39-21241; Docket
No. FAA-2020-0483; Product Identifier 2016-SW-066-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 369A, 369D,
369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters,
certificated in any category, with a main rotor (MR) blade part
number (P/N) 500P2100-105, P/N 500P2100-305, P/N 500P2300-505, P/N
369D21120-505, P/N 369D21121-505, or P/N 369D21123-505 with a 1.25
inch chord length nickel abrasion strip (abrasion strip)
manufactured or installed by Helicopter Technology Company, LLC
(HTC), or where the manufacturer of the abrasion strip is unknown.
This AD does not apply if the abrasion strip has accumulated 700 or
more hours time-in-service (TIS).
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of the bond
between the leading edge abrasion strip and an MR blade. This
condition could result in the abrasion strip departing the MR blade
in-flight, subsequent imbalance of the rotor system, and loss of
control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 28, 2020.
(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
Within 10 hours TIS and thereafter before the first flight of
each day, tap inspect each MR blade leading edge abrasion strip for
a void in accordance with Part 1--Inspection, paragraphs 2 through
4, of HTC Mandatory Service Bulletin Notice No. 2100-8R4, dated June
1, 2017.
(1) If there is a void within 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) of the edge of
the abrasion strip, before further flight, replace the MR blade.
(2) If there is a void larger than 0.5 square inch (322.6 square
mm) or if there is more than one void of any size, before further
flight, replace the MR blade.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)
(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Payman Soltani, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5313; email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
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: 6210, Main Rotor
Blade.
(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) Helicopter Technology Company, LLC, Mandatory Service
Bulletin Notice No. 2100-8R4, dated June 1, 2017.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Helicopter Technology Company, LLC, address 12902 South Broadway,
Los Angeles, CA 90061; telephone (310) 523-2750; email
[email protected]; or at https://www.helicoptertech.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on August 31, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-20930 Filed 9-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P