Airworthiness Directives; Various Restricted Category Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44434-44437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17607]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0488; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-20-AD; 
Amendment 39-17126; AD 2012-14-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Various Restricted Category Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Arrow 
Falcon Exporters, Inc. (previously Utah State University); Firefly 
Aviation Helicopter Services (previously Erickson Air-Crane Co.); 
California Department of Forestry; Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Global 
Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC (previously 
Western International Aviation, Inc.); International Helicopters, Inc.; 
Precision Helicopters, LLC; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; San Joaquin 
Helicopters (previously Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc.); S.M.&T. 
Aircraft (previously US Helicopters, Inc., UNC Helicopter, Inc., 
Southern Aero Corporation, and Wilco Aviation); Smith Helicopters; 
Southern Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida Aviation International, 
Inc. (previously Jamie R. Hill and Southwest Florida Aviation); 
Tamarack Helicopters, Inc. (previously Ranger Helicopter Services, 
Inc.); US Helicopter, Inc. (previously UNC Helicopter, Inc.); West 
Coast Fabrication; and Williams Helicopter Corporation (previously 
Scott Paper Co.) Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, 
UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P Helicopters; and Southwest Florida Aviation 
Model UH-1B (SW204 and SW204HP) and UH-1H (SW205) Helicopters. This AD 
requires

[[Page 44435]]

inspecting each affected tail rotor blade (blade) forward tip weight 
retention block (tip block) and the aft tip closure (tip closure) for 
adhesive bond voids and removing any blade with an excessive void from 
service. This AD also requires modifying certain blades by installing 
shear pins and tip closure rivets. This AD was prompted by reports of 
missing tip blocks or tip closures, resulting in minor to substantial 
damage to blades installed on Bell Model 212 and 412 helicopters. The 
actions are intended to prevent loss of a tip block or tip closure, 
loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective September 4, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of September 4, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone 
(817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of 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: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5170; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On May 13, 2010, at 75 FR 26889, 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 Arrow Falcon Exporters, 
Inc. (previously Utah State University); Firefly Aviation Helicopter 
Services (previously Erickson Air-Crane Co.); California Department of 
Forestry; Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, 
Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC (previously Western International 
Aviation, Inc.); International Helicopters, Inc.; Precision 
Helicopters, LLC; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; San Joaquin Helicopters 
(previously Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc.); S.M.&T. Aircraft 
(previously US Helicopters, Inc., UNC Helicopter, Inc., Southern Aero 
Corporation, and Wilco Aviation); Smith Helicopters; Southern 
Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc. 
(previously Jamie R. Hill and Southwest Florida Aviation); Tamarack 
Helicopters, Inc. (previously Ranger Helicopter Services, Inc.); US 
Helicopter, Inc. (previously UNC Helicopter, Inc.); West Coast 
Fabrication; and Williams Helicopter Corporation (previously Scott 
Paper Co.) Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-
1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P Helicopters; and Southwest Florida Aviation Model 
UH-1B (SW204 and SW204HP) and UH-1H (SW205) Helicopters. This NPRM 
proposed to require inspecting each applicable blade tip block and tip 
closure for voids and removing any blade with an excessive void from 
service. The NPRM also proposed to require modifying certain blades by 
installing shear pins and tip closure rivets. The proposed requirements 
were intended to prevent loss of a tip block or tip closure, loss of a 
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    AD 2002-09-04, Amendment 39-12737 (67 FR 22349, May 3, 2002), was 
issued for the Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 
412EP helicopters and contained the same requirements as those in this 
AD. AD 2007-22-02, Amendment 39-15238 (72 FR 60760, October 26, 2007), 
superseded AD 2002-09-04 to expand the applicability to include other 
part- and serial-numbered blades. Some of the blades in the 
applicability of AD 2007-22-02 are eligible for installation on 
helicopters included in this AD, which may have an FAA-approved 
modification that increases the helicopter's power rating to the 
equivalent of the Bell Model 205B or the 212 helicopter. The Bell Model 
205B and 212 helicopters are addressed in AD 2007-22-02. Consequently, 
the inspections and modifications required by AD 2007-22-02 are 
mandated for the blades installed on helicopters included in this AD.

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 
products of these same type designs and that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed except we 
have revised the estimated costs of complying with this AD to reflect 
ten hours for inspection instead of three hours, and minor editorial 
changes. These minor editorial changes are consistent with the intent 
of the proposals in the NPRM and will not increase the scope of the AD.

Related Service Information

    We have reviewed Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
212-00-111, Revision D, dated March 18, 2005 (ASB), which describes 
procedures for inspecting and modifying certain tail rotor blades. The 
ASB was issued as a result of an investigation of an in-flight loss of 
a blade tip block, part number (P/N) 212-010-750-105. The investigation 
revealed the countersunk screws retaining the tip block were installed 
incorrectly, resulting in inadequate tip block retention. Reports have 
also been submitted about loss of the tip closures from other blades 
possibly because of inadequate adhesive bonding in this area.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 716 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and 25 of those helicopters will have the increased power 
rating. Labor costs will average an estimated $85 per work hour. Based 
on these assumptions, we expect the following costs:
    <bullet> About 1 work hour to review the helicopter records for a 
labor cost of $85 per helicopter, $60,860 for the U.S. fleet.
    <bullet> About 10 work hours to inspect the affected blades, 
install the shear pins and tip closure rivets, reidentify, and 
dynamically balance the blade. Required supplies will cost about $45, 
for a total cost of $895 per helicopter. We assume that the blade sets 
are installed on 25 helicopters with the FAA-approved modification that 
will need to be inspected and repaired.

[[Page 44436]]

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.

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):

2012-14-12 Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. (previously Utah State 
University); Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services (previously 
Erickson Air-Crane Co.); California Department of Forestry; Garlick 
Helicopters, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund 
Helicopters, LLC (previously Western International Aviation, Inc.); 
International Helicopters, Inc.; Precision Helicopters, LLC; 
Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; San Joaquin Helicopters (previously 
Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc.); S.M.&T. Aircraft (previously US 
Helicopters, Inc., UNC Helicopter, Inc., Southern Aero Corporation, 
and Wilco Aviation); Smith Helicopters; Southern Helicopter, Inc.; 
Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc. (previously Jamie R. 
Hill and Southwest Florida Aviation); Tamarack Helicopters, Inc. 
(previously Ranger Helicopter Services, Inc.); US Helicopter, Inc. 
(previously UNC Helicopter, Inc.); West Coast Fabrication; and 
Williams Helicopter Corporation (previously Scott Paper Co.) Model 
HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and 
UH-1P Helicopters; and Southwest Florida Aviation Model UH-1B (SW204 
and SW204HP) and UH-1H (SW205) Helicopters: Amendment 39-17126; 
Docket No. FAA-2010-0488; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-20-AD.

(a) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, 
UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P helicopters, and Southwest 
Florida Aviation Model UH-1B series (SW204 series and SW204HP) and 
UH-1H series (SW205 series) helicopters, with a tail rotor blade 
(blade), part number (P/N) 212-010-750-009 through -129, all serial 
numbers except serial numbers with a prefix of ``A'' or ``AFS,'' and 
the number 11926, 13351, 13367, 13393, 13400, 13402, 13515, 13540, 
13568, 13595 through 13602, 13619, and subsequent larger numbers, 
installed, certificated in any category.
    (2) A blade inspected and modified by following either AD 2002-
09-04 (67 FR 22349, May 3, 2002) or AD 2007-22-02 (72 FR 60760, 
October 26, 2007), for the Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 
205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters satisfies 
the requirements of this AD.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as adhesive bond voids. 
This condition could result in loss of the forward tip weight 
retention block (tip block) or aft tip closure (tip closure), loss 
of the blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 4, 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 100 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Inspect the tip block and tip closure of each blade for 
voids. Remove from service any blade with a void in excess of that 
allowed by the applicable maintenance or Component Repair and 
Overhaul Manual limitations.
    (2) Inspect the tip block attachment countersink screws in the 
four locations to determine if the head of each countersunk screw is 
flush with the surface of the abrasion strip. The locations of these 
four screws are depicted on Figure 1 of Bell Alert Service Bulletin 
212-00-111, Revision D, dated March 18, 2005 (ASB). If any of these 
screws are set below the surface of the abrasion strip or are 
covered with filler material, install shear pins by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part A, Shear Pin Installation 
paragraphs, of the ASB.
    (3) Install the tip closure rivets on each blade, re-identify 
the modified blade by adding an ``FM'' after the P/N, and 
dynamically balance the tail rotor hub assembly by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part B, Aft Tip Closure Rivet 
Installation paragraphs, of the ASB.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal 
to: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft 
Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5170; 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) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail Rotor 
Blades.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 212-00-
111, Revision D, dated March 18, 2005.

[[Page 44437]]

    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may also review a copy of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 10, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17607 Filed 7-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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