Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 16, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49905-49906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-84-AD; Amendment 39-11860; AD 2000-16-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
430 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 430 helicopters. This AD 
requires replacing arm clamp screws (screws) in the yaw, roll, pitch, 
and collective syncro resolvers, and installing a guard bracket on the 
yaw, roll, pitch, and collective syncro resolvers. This AD is prompted 
by an operator's report that a yaw control channel jammed during 
freedom-of-control checks following maintenance. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent a jammed flight control and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 20, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD for BHTC Model 
430 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on May 3, 2000 
(65 FR 25694). That action proposed to require replacing screws in the 
yaw, roll, pitch, and collective syncro resolvers, and installing a 
guard bracket on the yaw, roll, pitch, and collective syncro resolvers.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 33 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$548. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $29,964.
    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a

[[Page 49906]]

``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 
FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a significant 
economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small 
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final 
evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2000-16-06  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11860. 
Docket No. 99-SW-84-AD.

    Applicability: Model 430 helicopters, serial numbers 49001 
through 49018, 49020 through 49043, and 49045 through 49051, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within 150 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent a jammed flight control and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the arm clamp screws (screws) in the yaw, roll, 
pitch, and collective syncro resolvers and replace them with 
airworthy screws in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Alert Service Bulletin 430-99-11, dated May 7, 1999 (ASB).
    (b) Install a guard bracket on the yaw, roll, pitch, and 
collective syncro resolvers in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the ASB.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and 
then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The modifications shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service 
Bulletin 430-99-11, dated May 7, 1999. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de 
l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax 
(514) 433-0272. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 20, 2000.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-99-26, dated September 28, 1999.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 2, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20404 Filed 8-15-00; 8:45 am]
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