Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1730-1731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31586]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0601; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-033-AD; 
Amendment 39-17306; AD 2012-26-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B 
helicopters with certain starter/generator power cable assemblies 
(power cable assemblies). This AD requires replacing the power cable 
assemblies and their associated parts, and performing continuity 
readings. This AD was prompted by the determination that the power 
cable assembly connector (connector) can deteriorate, causing a short 
in the connector that may lead to a fire in the starter/generator, 
smoke in the cockpit that reduces visibility, and subsequent loss of 
helicopter control.

DATES: This AD is effective February 13, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 13, 
2013.

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: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 Discussion

    On June 13, 2012, at 77 FR 35306, 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 BHTI Model 205A, 205A-
1, and 205B helicopters with power cable assemblies, part numbers (P/N) 
205-075-902-017 and P/N 205-075-911-007, installed. That NPRM proposed 
to require replacing the power cable assemblies and their associated 
parts, and performing continuity readings. The proposed requirements 
were intended to prevent a short in the connector that may lead to a 
fire in the starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit that reduces 
visibility, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 35306, June 13, 
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 have reviewed BHTI Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 205-07-94, 
Revision A, dated December 8, 2008, for Model 205A and 205A-1 
helicopters; and BHTI ASB No. 205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008, for 
the Model 205B helicopter. These ASBs describe procedures for replacing 
the power cable assemblies and associated parts. The ASBs specify that 
operators can obtain a starter/generator cable kit that contains the 
required replacement parts.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 31 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The actions will take about 10 work-hours per helicopter to 
accomplish at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost about $12,654

[[Page 1731]]

for the power cable assembly replacement kit. Based on these figures, 
the cost of the AD on U.S. operators will be $13,504 per helicopter, or 
$418,624 for the 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 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):

2012-26-11 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.: Amendment 39-17306; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0601; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-033-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) Model 
205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters with starter/generator power 
cable assemblies (power cable assemblies), part number (P/N) 205-
075-902-017 and P/N 205-075-911-007 installed, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the power cable assembly 
connector (connector) deterioration, which can cause a short in the 
connector potentially leading to a fire in the starter/generator. A 
fire would result in smoke in the cockpit, reducing visibility, and 
risking loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 13, 2013.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished 
previously.

(e) Required Actions

    Within six months, replace the power cable assemblies using the 
parts contained in starter/generator kit P/N CT205-07-94-1, perform 
a continuity test, and connect wires to the starter generator as 
follows:
    (1) For Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, follow the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2 through 16(c), of BHTI 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 205-07-94, Revision A, dated December 8, 
2008.
    (2) For the Model 205B helicopters, follow the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 2 through 16(c), of BHTI Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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: 2497, electrical 
power system wiring.

(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) Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 205-
07-94, Revision A, dated December 8, 2008.
    (ii) Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin No. 
205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008.
    (3) For Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. 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 view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this 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/cfr/index.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 20, 2012.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-31586 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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