Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 204B Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10355-10356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3670]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-16-AD; Amendment 39-12096; AD 2001-02-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 
204B Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for

[[Page 10356]]

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 204B helicopters that 
requires replacing any main rotor mast assembly (mast), part number (P/
N) 204-011-450-001, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS). This 
amendment is prompted by the crash of a restricted category Model UH-1B 
helicopter due to failure of a mast, P/N 204-011-450-001. The same mast 
P/N is used on the Model 204B helicopters. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the mast and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 22, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5447, fax (817) 222-
5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD for BHTI Model 
204B helicopters was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 
2000 (65 FR 58681). That action proposed replacing any mast, P/N 204-
011-450-001, within 25 hours TIS.
    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 15 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 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 
$8,862 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $141,930.
    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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

2001-02-11  Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-12096. 
Docket No. 2000-SW-16-AD.

    Applicability: Model 204B helicopters with main rotor mast 
assembly, part number (P/N) 204-011-450-001, 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 (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 25 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the main rotor mast assembly (mast) and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Remove any mast, P/N 204-011-450-001, from service and 
replace it with an airworthy mast. Accomplishing the requirement of 
this paragraph constitutes terminating action for the requirements 
of this AD. P/N 204-011-450-001 is not eligible for installation on 
any helicopter.
    (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 Certification Office, 
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 Certification 
Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft 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) This amendment becomes effective on March 22, 2001.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 19, 2001.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-3670 Filed 2-14-01; 8:45 am]
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