Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc., Model MD900 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 6, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50791-50792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19487]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-25-AD; Amendment 39-12837; AD 2002-15-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc., Model MD900 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
MD Helicopters, Inc., Model MD900 helicopters that requires, for the 
lateral-mixer bellcrank assembly (bellcrank), establishing a life 
limit, creating a component history card or equivalent record, 
determining the hours time-in-service (TIS), and applying a serial 
number (S/N). This amendment is prompted by additional testing that 
revealed that the original load test to establish the life limits of 
the bellcrank did not accurately represent the actual loading. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of 
the bellcrank and subsequent loss of lateral control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 10, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 10, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 
4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615-GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, 
telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-891-6782, or on the Web at 
www.mdhelicopters.com. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or

[[Page 50792]]

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, telephone (562) 627-5322, 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for MD Helicopters, Inc. Model MD900 helicopters was 
published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2002 (67 FR 2145). 
That action proposed to require, before further flight, the following 
for the bellcrank on an affected helicopter:
    <bullet> Create a component history card or equivalent record.
    <bullet> Determine the hours TIS of the bellcrank.
    <bullet> Apply a S/N.
    <bullet> Remove any affected bellcrank that exceeds the life limit.

This AD would revise the Limitations section of the maintenance manual 
by establishing a life limit of 13,300 hours TIS for the bellcrank, P/N 
900C2010203-105.
    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 30 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately \1/2\ work hour 
per helicopter to accomplish the required actions for the bellcrank, 
and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts 
will cost approximately $10,120 per helicopter. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$304,500, assuming replacement of the bellcranks in all 30 helicopters.
    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:

2002-15-07 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-12837. Docket No. 
2001-SW-25-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD900 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 900-
00008, 900-00010 through 900-00098, and 900-00100, with a lateral-
mixer bellcrank assembly (bellcrank), part number (P/N) 900C2010203-
105, 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 (e) 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: Before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue failure of the bellcrank and subsequent loss 
of lateral control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Create a component history card or equivalent record for 
each bellcrank and record the hours time-in-service (TIS) of the 
bellcrank. If the hours TIS of the bellcrank cannot be determined, 
use the helicopter's total hours TIS as the hours TIS for the 
bellcrank.
    (b) Apply a S/N to the bellcrank in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph (1)(a) and (1)(b), of MD 
Helicopters, Inc. Service Bulletin SB 900-084, dated December 3, 
2001.
    (c) Remove any bellcrank that has exceeded 13,300 hours TIS.
    (d) This AD revises the Limitations section of the maintenance 
manual by establishing a life limit of 13,300 hours TIS for 
bellcrank, P/N 900C2010203-105.
    (e) 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 (LAACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through 
an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment 
and then send it to the Manager, LAACO.

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

    (f) 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.
    (g) The marking of the S/N shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b), of MD 
Helicopters, Inc. Service Bulletin SB 900-084, dated December 3, 
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 MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: 
Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615-
GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9734, telephone 1-800-388-3378, fax 480-
891-6782, or on the Web at www.mdhelicopters.com. 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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 2002.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 24, 2002.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-19487 Filed 8-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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