Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 407 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 18, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62275-62276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26236]



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Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 202 / Wednesday, October 18, 2000 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 62275]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-24-AD; Amendment 39-11930; AD 2000-20-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
407 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters. This AD 
requires inspecting the brackets that attach each horizontal stabilizer 
slat (slat) to the stabilizer for a crack and replacing the slat 
assembly if a crack is found. Installing airworthy segmented slat 
assemblies would be required prior to flight after December 31, 2000 
and would constitute terminating action for the requirements of this 
AD. This amendment is prompted by an incident in which a slat separated 
from a helicopter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent a slat from separating, impact with a main or tail rotor blade, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective November 22, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 22, 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 (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax 
(450) 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) that applies to BHTC Model 407 
helicopters was published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2000 (65 
FR 44994). That action proposed to require visually inspecting certain 
brackets that attach slots to the horizontal stabilizer for a crack and 
replacing any slat assembly that has a cracked bracket. Also proposed 
was installing different part-numbered airworthy segmented slat 
assemblies on all affected models prior to flight after December 31, 
2000.
    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 348 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 0.5 work hour per 
helicopter to perform the visual inspections, 1 work hour to replace a 
slat assembly, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $2,364 per segmented slat 
assembly. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,697,544, assuming 1 inspection per 
helicopter and replacement of the 2 slat assemblies on each helicopter.
    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 ``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:

2000-20-18  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11930. 
Docket No. 2000-SW-24-AD.

    Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 
through 53347, 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

[[Page 62276]]

been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed 
actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a horizontal stabilizer slat (slat) from separating, 
impact with a main or tail rotor blade, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, visually inspect the 
brackets, part number (P/N) 206-023-119-109 or -110 or P/N 407-023-
801-127 or -128, that attach the slats, P/N 407-023-002-117, to the 
horizontal stabilizer for a crack.
    (1) If any crack is found, replace the slat assembly, P/N 407-
023-002-117, with an airworthy segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-
001-101, before further flight. Replace the slat assembly in 
accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB 407-99-32, dated 
December 7, 1999.
    (2) If no crack is found, replace each slat assembly, P/N 407-
023-002-117, with an airworthy segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-
001-101, prior to flight after December 31, 2000.
    (b) Installing airworthy segmented slat assemblies, P/N 407-023-
001-101, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this 
AD.
    (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 modification shall be done in accordance with Part II of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert 
Service Bulletin No. ASB 407-99-32, dated December 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 (450) 437-
2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 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 November 22, 2000.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD CF-2000-09, dated March 21, 2000.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 29, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-26236 Filed 10-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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