Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, and 206L-1 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63912-63913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30498]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 81-ASW-27; Amendment 39-12555; AD 81-18-01 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 
206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, and 206L-1 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 
206B-1, 206L, and 206L-1 helicopters that currently establishes a 
retirement life for the main rotor trunnion (trunnion) based on hours 
time-in-service (TIS). This amendment retains those requirements but 
revises the AD to remove the trunnion, part number (P/N) 206-011-120-
103, from the applicability. This amendment is prompted by the issuance 
of another AD for the BHTI Model 206L and 206L-1 helicopters that 
requires a different method of calculating the retirement life for the 
trunnions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the trunnion due to fatigue cracks and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 15, 2002.

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 14 CFR part 39 by 
revising AD 81-18-01, Amendment 39-4192 (46 FR 42651, August 24, 1981), 
which applies to BHTI Model 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, and 206L-
1 helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on September 13, 
2001 (66 FR 47600). The action proposed to revise AD 81-18-01 to remove 
the trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-103, from the applicability so that the 
trunnions on BHTI Model 206L series helicopters would only be affected 
by the RIN retirement life as required by AD 99-17-19 (64 FR 45433, 
August 20, 1999). The BHTI Model 206L and 206L1 helicopters are 
included in this AD because the other trunnions affected by the AD may 
be installed on these helicopters.
    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 since the requirements of the AD are not 
changed and fewer helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD revision, there will be no additional cost impact from the AD 
revision on U.S. operators.
    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 FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 removing Amendment 39-4192 (46 FR 
42651, August 24, 1981), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD),

[[Page 63913]]

Amendment 39-12555, to read as follows:

81-18-01 R1  Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-12555. 
Docket No. 81-ASW-27. Revises AD 81-18-01, Amendment 39-4192, Docket 
No. 81-ASW-27.

    Applicability: Model 206A, 206B, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206L, and 206L-
1 helicopters, with main rotor trunnion (trunnion), part number (P/
N) 206-010-104-3, 206-011-113-001, 206-011-120-001, or 206-011-113-
103, installed, 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 (i) 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the trunnion due to fatigue cracks, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-001, with 1100 or more hours 
time-in-service (TIS) must be retired from service within the next 
100 hours TIS.
    (b) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-001, with less than 1100 hours 
TIS must be retired from service on or before attaining 1200 hours 
TIS.
    (c) Any trunnion, P/N 206-010-104-3 and 206-011-113-001, with 
2300 or more hours TIS must be retired from service within the next 
100 hours TIS.
    (d) Any trunnion, P/N 206-010-104-3 and 206-011-113-001, with 
less than 2300 hours TIS must be retired from service on or before 
attaining 2400 hours TIS.
    (e) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-113-103, with 4700 or more hours 
TIS must be retired from service within the next 100 hours TIS.
    (f) Any trunnion, P/N 206-011-113-103, with less than 4700 hours 
TIS must be retired from service on or before attaining 4800 hours 
TIS.
    (g) The retirement times, for the trunnions, established by this 
AD, are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Service life
                           P/N                               hours TIS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
206-011-120-001.........................................            1200
206-010-104-3...........................................            2400
206-011-113-001.........................................            2400
206-011-113-103.........................................            4800
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: The FAA issued AD 99-17-19 (64 FR 45433, August 20, 
1999) to establish a retirement life for trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-
103.

    (h) This AD revises the Limitations section of the maintenance 
manual by establishing a retirement life of 1200 hours TIS for 
trunnion, P/N 206-011-120-001; 2400 hours TIS for P/N 206-010-104-3 
and 206-011-113-001; and 4800 hours TIS for P/N 206-011-113-103.

    Note 3: Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins 206-80-7 
and 206L-80-9, both Revision B, and dated October 15, 1980, pertain 
to the subject of this AD.

    (i) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (j) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (k) This amendment becomes effective on January 15, 2002.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 30, 2001.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30498 Filed 12-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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