Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 430 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2317-2318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-1055]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-21-AD; Amendment 39-12598; AD 2002-01-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
430 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 430 helicopters that 
requires changes to the electrical power distribution system. This 
amendment is prompted by design deficiencies in the electrical systems. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of 
both generators, loss of primary electrical power, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective February 21, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 21, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, 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: Robert McCallister, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5121, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for BHTC Model 430 helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on October 12, 2001 (66 FR 52072). That action 
proposed to

[[Page 2318]]

require, before further flight after March 31, 2002, accomplishing the 
electrical power distribution system changes in accordance with BHTC 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 430-01-19, dated February 22, 2001 (ASB).
    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 33 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 48 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the changes to the electrical system, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The manufacturer states in 
its ASB that the parts will be provided at no cost before March 31, 
2002. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $95,040.
    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:

2002-01-07 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-12598. 
Docket No. 2001-SW-21-AD.

    Applicability: Model 430 helicopters, serial numbers 49002 
through 49071, 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of both generators, loss of primary 
electrical power, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Before further flight after March 31, 2002, perform the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1 through 124, of Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin No 430-01-19, dated 
February 22, 2001, which is terminating action for the requirements 
of this AD.
    (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, 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1 through 124, of Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin No 430-01-19, dated 
February 22, 2001. 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 
J7J1R4, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 21, 2002.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-2000-32R1, dated May 28, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4, 2002.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-1055 Filed 1-16-02; 8:45 am]
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