Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 192 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61985-61987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24991]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-SW-73-AD; Amendment 39-12897; AD 2002-20-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of 
Textron Canada Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 61986]]

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada 
(BHTC), model helicopters that requires removing sealant from the 
forward tooling hole in the right-hand upper fuel enclosure area. This 
amendment is prompted by the determination that fuel or water could 
accumulate in the right-hand upper fuel enclosure. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent accumulation of fuel in 
the right-hand upper fuel enclosure area, a fire, and a subsequent 
forced landing.

DATES: Effective November 7, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of 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: Ed Cuevas, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5355, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for BHTC Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230, and 430 helicopters, 
was published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2002 (67 FR 21185). 
That action proposed to require removing sealant from the forward 
tooling hole in the right-hand upper fuel enclosure area.
    Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified 
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on BHTC Model 222, 222B, 
222U, 230, and 430 helicopters. Transport Canada advises that a 
condition exists that can result in an accumulation of fuel in the 
right-hand upper fuel enclosure area.
    BHTC has issued:
    [sbull] Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
222-01-89, for Model 222 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 47006 
through 47089, and Model 222B helicopters, S/N 47131 through 47156;
    [sbull] ASB No. 222U-01-60, for Model 222U helicopters, S/N 47501 
through 47574;
    [sbull] ASB No. 230-01-20, for Model 230 helicopters, S/N 23001 
through 23038; and
    [sbull] ASB No. 430-01-21, for Model 430 helicopters, S/N 49001 
through 49079.

All of the ASB's are dated February 7, 2001. All of these ASB's specify 
procedures for removing the sealant from the existing forward tooling 
hole located in the panel assembly to provide enclosure drainage. 
Transport Canada classified these ASB's as mandatory and issued AD No. 
CF-2001-22, dated May 24, 2001, to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these helicopters in Canada.
    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, with two changes. The manufacturer's 
name was incorrectly stated in the notice, and is corrected in this AD. 
Also, the name of the FAA employee to contact for further information 
is changed in this AD. The FAA has determined that these changes will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 151 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $45,300.
    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:

2002-20-02 Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada: 
Amendment 39-12897. Docket No. 2001-SW-73-AD.
    Applicability: Model 222 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 47006 
through 47089; Model 222B helicopters, S/N 47131 through 47156; 
Model 222U helicopters, S/N 47501 through 47574; Model 230 
helicopters, S/N 23001 through 23038; and Model 430 helicopters, S/N 
49001 through 49079, 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 at the next annual or 100-hour inspection, 
whichever occurs first, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent accumulation of fuel in the right-hand upper fuel 
enclosure area, a fire, and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Remove the sealant from the forward tooling hole in the 
right-hand upper fuel enclosure area in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service 
Bulletin

[[Page 61987]]

(ASB) No. 222-01-89, for the Model 222 helicopters and Model 222B 
helicopters; ASB No. 222U-01-60, for the Model 222U helicopters; ASB 
No. 230-01-20, for the Model 230 helicopters; and ASB No. 430-01-21, 
for the Model 430 helicopters, all dated February 7, 2001.
    (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 sealant removal shall be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. 222-01-89, for the Model 222 helicopters and 
Model 222B helicopters; ASB No. 222U-01-60, for the Model 222U 
helicopters; ASB No. 230-01-20, for the Model 230 helicopters; and 
ASB No. 430-01-21, for the Model 430 helicopters, all dated February 
7, 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, A Division of 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 November 7, 2002.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-2001-22, dated May 24, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 20, 2002.
Eric D. Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-24991 Filed 10-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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