Airworthiness Directives; Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., High Landing Gear Forward Crosstube Assembly

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67261-67263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26901]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD; 
Amendment 39-17242; AD 2012-22-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., High 
Landing Gear Forward Crosstube Assembly

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) high landing gear forward 
crosstube assemblies (crosstubes) installed on Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) 
Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 
205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters during 
production or based on a supplemental type certificate (STC). This AD 
requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the 
crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack 
or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the 
field of failed crosstubes. The actions are intended to prevent failure 
of a crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective December 14, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of December 14, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P.O. Box 3689, Bristol, TN 37625-3689, 
telephone (423) 538-5151 or (800) 251-7094, fax (423) 538-8469, or at 
http://www.aero-access.com. 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

[[Page 67262]]

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, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5170; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On May 11, 2012, at 77 FR 27663, 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 AAI crosstubes installed 
on Agusta Model AB412 and AB412EP, and Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 
212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters during production or based on an 
STC. That NPRM proposed to require creating a component history card or 
equivalent record and counting and recording the total number of 
landings for the crosstubes. It also proposed to require inspecting the 
crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. The 
proposed requirements were intended to prevent failure of a crosstube, 
collapse of the landing gear, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by two reports from the field of crosstube 
failures. AAI issued Alert Service Bulletin AA-08055, Revision B, dated 
August 12, 2009 (ASB) to provide procedures for repetitively inspecting 
the high forward crosstubes to detect this condition.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 27663, May 11, 
2012).

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.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed the AAI ASB, which specifies establishing a takeoff/
landing history, recurrent visual and fluorescent penetrant inspections 
of the crosstubes, and dimensional inspections of the skid gear. We 
have also reviewed AAI Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) 
for Crosstubes, Report No. AA-01136, Revision K, dated February 15, 
2012, which contains the information necessary for inspection and 
maintenance of each crosstube installed on the Agusta and Bell 
helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 115 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry and that operators will incur the following costs to comply 
with this AD:
    <bullet> Creating a historical record and determining the number of 
landings will require a half work hour at an average labor rate of $85 
per hour for a cost per helicopter of about $42 and a cost to the U.S. 
operator fleet of $4,830 per inspection cycle.
    <bullet> Preparing and inspecting the crosstube will require 8.5 
work hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour for a cost per 
helicopter of about $722 and a cost to the U.S. operator fleet of 
$83,030 per inspection cycle.
    <bullet> Performing the dimensional inspection of the skid gear 
will require 1 work hour at an average labor rate of $85 per hour for a 
cost per helicopter of $85 and a cost to the U.S. operator fleet of 
$9,775 per inspection cycle.
    <bullet> Fluorescent penetrant inspecting the crosstube will 
require 24 work hours at an average labor rate of $85 per hour for a 
cost per helicopter of $2,040 and a cost to the U.S. operator fleet of 
$234,600 per inspection cycle.
    <bullet> If required, replacing a crosstube with an airworthy 
crosstube will require 10 work hours at an average labor rate of $85, 
required parts will cost $9,315, for a cost per helicopter of $10,165.

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):

2012-22-06 Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI): Amendment 39-17242; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-0502; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-097-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to high landing gear forward crosstube assembly 
(crosstube), part

[[Page 67263]]

number (P/N) 212-321-103, installed on Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 and 
AB412EP and Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 
212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of the landing 
gear crosstube, which could result in collapse of the landing gear 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 14, 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

    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD:
    (i) Create a component history card or equivalent record for the 
crosstube by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part A, 
paragraph 1., of AAI Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-08055, Revision 
B, dated August 12, 2009 (ASB).
    (ii) Determine and record on the component history card or 
equivalent record the total number of landings for the crosstube. If 
the landing information is unavailable, estimate the number by 
multiplying the airframe hours TIS by 10. Continue to count and 
record the number of landings for the crosstube. For the purposes of 
this AD, a landing would be counted anytime the helicopter lifts off 
into the air and then lands again with any further reduction of the 
collective after the landing gear touches the ground.
    (2) Within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD or 
before reaching a total of 7,500 landings on any crosstube, 
whichever occurs later:
    (i) Prepare the crosstube inspection areas as described in the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part B, paragraphs 1. through 5. and 
Figure 1, of the ASB.
    (ii) Using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass and a bright 
light, visually inspect the prepared areas of the crosstube for a 
crack. If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the 
crosstube with an airworthy crosstube.
    (iii) If there is no crack, following the inspection, prime and 
paint the inspection areas by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part B, paragraphs 7. and 8., of the ASB. If there is 
any corrosion or other damage, perform the replacement or repair 
required in paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of this AD before priming and 
painting the inspection areas.
    (3) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 200 landings, clean 
the crosstube inspection areas by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part C, paragraph 1., of the ASB. Using a 10X or 
higher power magnifying glass and a bright light, visually inspect 
the clear-coated areas of the crosstube for a crack. If there is a 
crack, before further flight, replace the crosstube with an 
airworthy crosstube.
    (4) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD or before 
reaching a total of 10,000 landings on any crosstube, whichever 
occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,500 
landings or 12 months, whichever occurs first, determine the 
horizontal deflection of the crosstube from the centerline of the 
helicopter (BL 0.0) to the outside of the skid tubes by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, Part D, paragraphs 1. and 2., of 
the ASB. If the crosstube measures outside any of the limits 
depicted in Figure 2 of the ASB, before further flight, replace the 
crosstube with an airworthy crosstube.
    (5) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD or 
before reaching a total of 12,500 landings on any crosstube, 
whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
5,000 landings:
    (i) Remove and disassemble the landing gear assembly and 
crosstube to prepare for a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part E.1, paragraphs 1. 
through 6., of the ASB.
    (ii) Clean and prepare the crosstube by removing the sealant and 
paint as described in the Accomplishment Instructions, Part E.2, 
paragraphs 1. through 3. and Figure 3, of the ASB.
    (iii) Perform an FPI of the crosstube in the areas depicted in 
Figure 3 of the ASB for a crack, any corrosion, a nick, scratch, 
dent, or any other damage by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part E.3, paragraph 1., of the ASB. If there is a 
crack, before further flight, replace the crosstube with an 
airworthy crosstube.
    (iv) If there is any corrosion or a nick, scratch, dent, or any 
other damage, before further flight, repair the crosstube to an 
airworthy configuration if the damage is within the maximum repair 
damage limits or replace the crosstube with an airworthy crosstube. 
Chapter 3.5 Repair, Table 1. and Figure 3 of the AAI Instructions 
for Continued Airworthiness for Crosstubes, Report No. AA-01136, 
Revision K, dated February 15, 2012, contains the maximum repair 
damage limits and repair procedures.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 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, TX 
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: 3213: Main Landing 
Gear Strut/Axle/Truck.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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) Aeronautical Accessories Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-
08055, Revision B, dated August 12, 2009.
    (ii) Aeronautical Accessories Inc. Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness for Crosstubes, Report No. AA-01136, Revision K, dated 
February 15, 2012.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P.O. Box 3689, Bristol, TN 37625-
3689, telephone (423) 538-5151 or (800) 251-7094, fax (423) 538-
8469, or at http://www.aero-access.com.
    (4) You may view this 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 view this service information 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 24, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26901 Filed 11-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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