Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, Limited, Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36389-36390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14804]



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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2012 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 36389]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0087; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-029-AD; 
Amendment 39-17091; AD 2012-12-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 
Limited, Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 
206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, with Aviation Specialties 
Unlimited, Inc. (ASU), Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) lighting 
modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SR01383SE (STC). This AD 
requires determining the date of STC installation, determining if the 
aircraft has an unfiltered turbine outlet temperature (TOT) internal 
over-temperature warning light, and based on those findings, installing 
an NVIS filter. This AD was prompted by the finding that an unfiltered 
TOT indicator over-temperature warning light, when illuminated, created 
glare and reflections that could degrade the pilot's view while using 
night vision goggles thereby creating an unsafe condition. The actions 
of this AD are intended to modify any unfiltered TOT indicator unit 
over-temperature warning light by installing a filter to prevent 
degradation of the pilot's vision while using night vision goggles and 
to prevent subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective July 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc., 4632 Aeronca Street, Boise, Idaho 
83705; telephone (208) 426-8117; fax (208) 426-8975; or http://www.asu-nvg.com/. You may review the referenced service information at the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    Examining the AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket 
Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, any 
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone 
(425) 917-6426; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On February 3, 2012, at 77 FR 5423, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Bell Model 206, 206A, 
206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, 
modified with ASU NVIS lighting installed per STC SR01383SE. That NPRM 
proposed to require, within 30 days or 50 hours time-in-service, 
whichever occurs first, determining the date of the STC installation. 
If the date is on or before April 6, 2011, or is undocumented, the NPRM 
proposed to require determining if the TOT indicator unit has an 
internal over-temperature warning light. If the unit has an unfiltered 
internal over-temperature warning light, the NPRM proposed to require 
installing an NVIS filter, part number (P/N) ASU-TOTGAG-1. The proposed 
requirements were intended to modify any unfiltered TOT indicator unit 
over-temperature warning light by installing a filter to prevent 
degradation of the pilot's vision while using night vision goggles and 
to prevent subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type designs and that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed except 
for an editorial change. We have revised the ``Differences Between This 
Proposed AD and the Service Information'' section to include a 
statement about this AD applying to Model 206A-1 helicopters, whereas 
the service information does not. This change is consistent with the 
intent of the proposal and will not increase the economic burden on any 
operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed ASU Alert Service Bulletin No. ASU 206-2010-11-1, dated 
November 4, 2010 (ASB) for the Bell Helicopter Textron 206 series 
helicopters. The ASB states to visually inspect each helicopter to 
determine if the TOT indicator/gauge has an internal over-temperature 
warning light installed. If the over-temperature warning light is 
internal, the ASB specifies notifying ASU. ASU states it will 
immediately ship an NVIS filter, P/N ASU-TOTGAG-1.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    This AD does not apply to helicopters modified by the STC after 
April 6, 2011, because a new design was approved for the STC on April 
6, 2011, and contained instructions to install the NVIS over-
temperature indicator light filter. This AD applies to Model 206A-1 
helicopters, whereas the service information does not. This AD does not 
require you to notify ASU.

[[Page 36390]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 34 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD: Determining the date, inspecting for an 
unfiltered, over-temperature TOT indicator light in the cockpit, and 
installing a filter will take about 1.8 work-hours at $85 per work-
hour. A filter will cost about $300. The total cost will be $15,402 
assuming the filter will be installed on the entire fleet

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 helicopters identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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 this AD:
    (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);
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    (4) 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2012-12-11 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA, LIMITED (BELL): Amendment 
39-17091; Docket No. FAA-2012-0087; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-
029-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 
206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, certificated in any 
category, modified with Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU), 
Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) lighting installed per 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR01383SE.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an unfiltered turbine 
outlet temperature (TOT) indicator over-temperature warning light, 
when illuminated, creating glare and reflections that could degrade 
the pilot's view through night vision goggles. This condition could 
result in loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 24, 2012.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 30 days or 50 hours time-in-service, whichever occurs 
first:
    (1) Determine the date of the STC installation.
    (2) If the date of the STC installation is on or before April 6, 
2011, or the date is undocumented, determine whether the cockpit TOT 
indicator unit has an unfiltered internal over-temperature warning 
light. If the unit has an unfiltered internal over-temperature 
warning light, install an NVIS filter, part number ASU-TOTGAG-1.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kathleen 
Arrigotti, Aviation Safety Engineer, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 917-6426; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc., Alert Service Bulletin No. 
ASU 206-2010-11-1, dated November 4, 2010, which is not incorporated 
by reference, contains additional information about the subject of 
this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc., 4632 Aeronca Street, Boise, 
Idaho 83705; telephone (208) 426-8117; fax (208) 426-8975; or http://www.asu-nvg.com/. You may review this service information at the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7722, Engine EFT/
TOT Indicating System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 7, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14804 Filed 6-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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