Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 212, 412, and 412EP Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59636-59637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20324]



[[Page 59636]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22634; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-12-AD; 
Amendment 39-14335; AD 2005-20-38]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 212, 412, 
and 412EP Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) model helicopters modified 
with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI), Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) SH2820SO or that have the affected AAI Parts 
Manufacturer Approval (PMA) parts installed. This action requires 
inspecting a certain part-numbered reservoir assembly adapter (adapter) 
for the counter bore depth (dimension D). If the dimension D of the 
adapter exceeds .860 inch, before further flight, this AD requires 
replacing the reservoir assembly and adapter with airworthy parts. This 
amendment is prompted by a report of a rupture of an adapter during 
nitrogen charging because of inadequate wall thickness for the 
operating pressures. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent the rupture of an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of pressurized 
gas from the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent injury to occupants or 
damage to the helicopter.

DATES: Effective October 28, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 28, 2005.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 12, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically;
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590;
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251; or
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P. O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee 
37625-3689.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments, and 
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person 
at the Docket Management System (DMS) Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the 
Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address 
stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5177, fax (817) 222-
5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for the 
specified Bell model helicopters modified with an AAI STC SH2820SO or 
with AAI PMA reservoir assembly or adapter installed. This action 
requires a one-time inspection of the adapter counter bore depth. If 
the counter bore depth dimension exceeds .860 inch, this AD requires 
replacing the reservoir assembly and adapter with airworthy parts 
before further flight. This amendment is prompted by a report of a 
rupture of an adapter on a Bell Model 412 helicopter during nitrogen 
charging. The assembly adapter ruptured, and the pressurized nitrogen 
gas jetted out of the nitrogen bottle in the helicopter and caused 
significant damage. The rupture occurred because the adapter had 
inadequate fracture strength because the counter bore was too large, 
which produced insufficient wall thickness for the operating pressures. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in rupture of an 
adapter, uncontrolled jetting of pressurized gas from the nitrogen 
bottle, and subsequent injury to occupants or damage to the helicopter.
    We have reviewed AAI Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-05005, Revision 
A, dated June 27, 2005 (ASB), for Bell Model 212/412/412EP helicopters 
with the reservoir assembly, part number (P/N) 212-372-050, and the 
adapter, P/N 212-371-002, installed. The ASB describes procedures for 
discharging the floatation system, inspecting the counter bore depth of 
the adapter (dimension D), recharging the floatation system, and 
specifies replacing the assembly and adapter if the dimension D exceeds 
.860. The ASB states that the adapter located between the neck of the 
reservoir assembly and the inflation valve may have been manufactured 
incorrectly resulting in a weakened condition that could lead to the 
rupture of the adapter fitting while under pressure.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type designs modified with AAI STC SH2820SO or 
that has the affected PMA P/N installed. Therefore, this AD is being 
issued to prevent the rupture of an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of 
pressurized gas from the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent injury to 
occupants or damage to the helicopter. This AD requires the following:
    <bullet> Within 24 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the next 
emergency floatation supply bottle nitrogen charging, whichever occurs 
first, for the reservoir assembly, P/N 212-372-050, and the adapter, P/
N 212-371-002, do the following:
    <bullet> Discharge the nitrogen from the reservoir assembly.
    <bullet> Remove the valve assembly and air line from the adapter, 
and inspect the dimension D.
    <bullet> If the dimension D does not exceed .860 inch, recharge the 
floatation system.
    <bullet> If the dimension D exceeds .860 inch, before further 
flight, replace the reservoir assembly and the adapter with airworthy 
parts.
    Accomplish the actions in accordance with the specified portions of 
the service bulletin described previously. The short compliance time 
involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe 
condition can damage the helicopter and injure its occupants as well as 
render the floatation system inoperative. Therefore, inspecting the 
counter bore depth of the adapter is required within 24 hours TIS or 
before the next emergency floatation supply bottle nitrogen charging, 
whichever occurs first. Because this is a very short compliance time, 
this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

[[Page 59637]]

    We estimate that this AD will affect 100 helicopters. Discharging 
the system, inspecting the dimension D of the adapter, replacing the 
reservoir assembly and adapter, and recharging the system will take 
about 2 work hours at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost about $5095 to replace the reservoir assembly 
and adapter per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $522,500, assuming 
the reservoir assembly and adapter must be replaced on the entire 
fleet.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22634; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-12-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
of those comments. We will post all comments we receive, without 
change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search 
function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to 
any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the 
comment. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2005-20-38 Bell Helicopter Textron: Amendment 39-14335. Docket No. 
FAA-2005-22634; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-12-AD.

Applicability

    Model 212, 412, and 412EP helicopters modified with Aeronautical 
Accessories, Inc. (AAI), Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SH2820SO; or with AAI Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) reservoir 
assembly, part number (P/N) 212-372-050; or with adapter, P/N 212-
371-002, installed, certificated in any category.

Compliance

    Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
    To prevent rupture of an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of 
pressurized gas from the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent injury to 
occupants or damage to the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 24 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the 
next emergency floatation supply bottle nitrogen charging, whichever 
occurs first, do the following:
    (1) Vent the nitrogen from the reservoir assembly by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II--Floatation System 
Discharging, of AAI Alert Service Bulletin ASB No. AA-05005, 
Revision A, dated June 27, 2005 (ASB).
    (2) Remove the valve assembly and air line from the adapter, and 
inspect the counter bore depth (dimension D) as shown in Figure 1 of 
the ASB.
    (i) If dimension D, as depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB, does not 
exceed .860 inch, recharge the floatation system by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part III--Floatation System Charging, 
and referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the ASB.
    (ii) If dimension D, as depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB, exceeds 
.860 inch, replace the reservoir assembly and the adapter with 
airworthy parts before further flight.
    (b) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, for information 
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (c) Discharging and recharging the floatation system and 
inspecting the counter bore depth dimension of the adapter shall be 
done in accordance with the specified portions of Aeronautical 
Accessories, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-05005, Revision A, 
dated June 27, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aeronautical 
Accessories, Inc., P. O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee 37625-3689. 
Copies may be inspected at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on October 28, 2005.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 30, 2005.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20324 Filed 10-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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