Airworthiness Directives; Siam Hiller Holdings, Inc. Model UH-12, UH-12A, UH-12B, UH-12C, UH-12D, UH-12E, UH-12E-L, UH-12L, and UH-12L4 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 6, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76149-76150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30652]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-27-AD; Amendment 39-12028; AD 2000-24-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Siam Hiller Holdings, Inc. Model UH-12, 
UH-12A, UH-12B, UH-12C, UH-12D, UH-12E, UH-12E-L, UH-12L, and UH-12L4 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), for 
Siam Hiller Holdings, Inc. (Hiller), formerly Rogerson Hiller 
Corporation, Model UH-12, UH-12A, UH-12B, UH-12C, UH-12D, UH-12E, UH-
12E-L, UH-12L, and UH-12L4 helicopters, that requires replacing all 
undrilled-shank bolts at pivoting joints in the control system linkage 
with drilled-shank bolts and installing castellated nuts and cotter 
pins. This amendment is prompted by an accident caused by separation of 
the control system linkage of a Model UH-12E helicopter. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent separation of the control 
system attachments at pivoting points and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

[[Page 76150]]


DATES: Effective January 10, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Hiller Aircraft Corporation, 3200 Imjin Road, Marina, 
California 93933-5101, telephone (408) 384-4500, fax (408) 384-3100. 
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: Jon Mowery, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137, telephone (562) 627-
5322, fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Hiller Model UH-12, UH-12A, UH-12B, UH-12C, UH-12D, 
UH-12E, UH-12E-L, UH-12L, and UH-12L4 helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on August 31, 2000 (65 FR 52958). That action proposed 
to require replacing all undrilled-shank bolts at the pivoting joints 
in the control system linkage with drilled-shank bolts and installing 
castellated nuts and cotter pins.
    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 500 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 24 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 
$150 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $795,000.
    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:

2000-24-21  Siam Hiller Holdings, Inc.: Amendment 39-12028. Docket 
No. 2000-SW-27-AD.

    Applicability: Model UH-12, UH-12A, UH-12B, UH-12C, UH-12D, UH-
12E, UH-12E-L, UH-12L, UH-12L4 helicopters, 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 (b) 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 at the next annual inspection or within 12 
months, whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent separation of the control system attachments at 
pivoting points and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace all undrilled-shank bolts at pivoting joints in the 
control system linkage with drilled-shank bolts, and install 
castellated nuts and cotter pins in accordance with Hiller Aircraft 
Corporation Service Bulletin No. 10-4, Revision 2, dated December 
20, 1999.
    (b) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then 
send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The installation of castellated nuts and cotter pins shall 
be done in accordance with Hiller Aircraft Corporation Service 
Bulletin No. 10-4, Revision 2, dated December 20, 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 Hiller Aircraft Corporation, 3200 
Imjin Road, Marina, California 93933-5101, telephone (408) 384-4500, 
fax (408) 384-3100. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 10, 2001.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 14, 2000.
Michele M. Owsley,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30652 Filed 12-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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