Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 407 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34108-34109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15793]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-06-AD; Amendment 39-12282; AD 2001-13-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
407 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 407 helicopters that 
requires replacing certain cockpit warning horns. This amendment is 
prompted by reports that pilots have had difficulty in distinguishing 
between the FADEC Fail horn, the Engine Out horn, and the Low Rotor RPM 
horn. The actions specified by this AD are intended to assist the pilot 
in properly identifying a specific cockpit warning horn (horn) and 
prevent an inappropriate pilot response to a horn, which could cause an 
engine overspeed and subsequent uncommanded reduction to flight-idle 
engine power.

DATES: Effective August 1, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 1, 2001.

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) 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, Rotorcraft Regulations Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193, 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 airworthiness 
directive (AD) for BHTC Model 407 helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on March 14, 2001 (66 FR 14865). That action proposed 
to require replacing the FADEC Fail horn, the Engine Out horn, and the 
Low Rotor RPM horn.
    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 200 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2.5 work hours per 
helicopter to replace the horns, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $154. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $60,800 to replace the horns in all the 
fleet.
    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

[[Page 34109]]

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:

2001-13-02  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-12282. 
Docket No. 99-SW-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 
through 53194, 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 within 90 calendar days, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To assist the pilot in properly identifying a specific warning 
horn (horn) and prevent an inappropriate pilot response to a horn, 
which could cause an engine overspeed and subsequent uncommanded 
reduction to flight-idle engine power, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove and replace the following horns and install the 
specified terminal junctions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
407-97-12, dated October 7, 1997:

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               Part Name                      Current Part Number                 Replacement Part No.
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(1) FADEC Fail Horn...................  SC648S........................  VSB628CP
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(2) Low Rotor RPM Horn................  SC628.........................  SC628N
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(3) Engine Out Horn...................  SC628P........................  SC628NP
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(4) Terminal Junction (2).............  ..............................  M81714/65-22-11
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    (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, Rotorcraft 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, Rotorcraft Regulations 
Group.

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

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 modification shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 407-97-12, dated October 7, 1997. 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) 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 2001.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-98-13, effective August 7, 1998.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 13, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-15793 Filed 6-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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