Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 173 (Friday, September 6, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54751-54752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21578]



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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 54751]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-AD; 
Amendment 39-17576; AD 2013-18-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. (BHT) Model 206A, 206B, and 206L 
helicopters. This AD requires replacing certain part-numbered engine 
auto-relight kit control boxes. This AD was prompted by a design review 
that revealed the control box chipset did not meet the required 
temperature range requirements, which could cause the control box to 
malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight system. The actions of 
this AD are intended to prevent a disabled auto-relight system, failure 
of the engine to relight after a flame-out, increased pilot workload 
during a power loss emergency, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective October 11, 2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 
433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. 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, the foreign authority's AD, 
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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On April 22, 2013, at 78 FR 23688, 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 BHT Model 206A and 
206B helicopters, all serial numbers (S/N) except S/Ns 1, 2, and 3, 
with an engine auto-relight kit control box assembly (control box 
assembly) part number (P/N) 206-375-017-101 installed and BHT Model 
206L helicopters, S/N 45001 through 45153 and 46601 through 46617, with 
a control box assembly P/N 206-375-017-103 installed. The NPRM proposed 
to require replacing the control box assembly with a new part-numbered 
control box assembly within 4 months. The proposed requirements were 
intended to prevent a disabled auto-relight system, failure of the 
engine to relight after a flame-out, increased pilot workload during a 
power loss emergency, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. CF-2012-19, dated June 12, 2012, 
issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada. TCCA issued AD No. CF-2012-19 to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain serial-numbered BHT Model 206A, 206B, and 
206L helicopters with an engine auto-relight kit control box assembly 
(control box assembly) part number 206-375-017-101 or 206-375-017-103 
installed. TCCA advises that these control box assemblies have a 
manufacturing defect which could disable the auto-relight system in the 
event of an engine flameout, subsequently requiring the pilot to re-
start the engine manually. This condition could result in increased 
pilot workload during a power loss emergency in-flight and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter. AD No. CF-2012-19 specifies 
replacing the affected control boxes within 4 months to correct the 
unsafe condition.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 23688, 
April 22, 2013).

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, TCCA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
its AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by TCCA and determined the 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.

Related Service Information

    BHT has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-11-127 for 
Model 206A and 206B helicopters and ASB No. 206L-11-167 for Model 206L 
helicopters, both dated May 2, 2011. Both ASBs specify replacing the 
affected control box assembly with an upgraded control box assembly.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 1,357 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. If installed, replacing the control box 
assembly would require about 2 work-hours at an average labor rate of 
$85 per hour and required parts would cost about $18,974, for a cost 
per helicopter of $19,144.

[[Page 54752]]

    According to BHT's service information, some of the costs of this 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by BHT. 
Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.

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):

2013-18-03 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc (BHT): Amendment 39-
17576; Docket No. FAA-2013-0349; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-058-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) BHT Model 206A and 206B helicopters, all serial numbers (S/
N) except S/Ns 1, 2, and 3, with an engine auto-relight kit control 
box assembly (control box assembly) part number (P/N) 206-375-017-
101 installed; and
    (2) BHT Model 206L helicopters, S/N 45001 through 45153 and 
46601 through 46617, with a control box assembly P/N 206-375-017-103 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an inoperative control 
box assembly. This condition could result in a disabled auto-relight 
system, failure of the engine to relight after a flame-out, 
increased pilot workload during a power loss emergency, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 11, 2013.

(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 4 months, replace the control box assembly:
    (1) For Model 206A and 206B helicopters, replace control box 
assembly P/N 206-375-017-101 with a control box assembly P/N 206-
375-017-105.
    (2) For Model 206L helicopters, replace control box assembly P/N 
206-375-017-103 with a control box assembly P/N 206-375-017-107.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 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) Additional Information

    (1) BHT Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-11-127 for Model 
206A and 206B helicopters and ASB No. 206L-11-167 for Model 206L 
helicopters, both dated May 2, 2011, which are not incorporated by 
reference, contain additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 
433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a 
copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD CF-2012-19, dated June 12, 2012. You may 
view the TCCA AD at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-
2013-0349.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7410: Ignition 
Power Supply.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 21, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-21578 Filed 9-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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