Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67022-67024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26563]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0481; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-003-AD; 
Amendment 39-17653; AD 2013-22-21]
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 Bell 
Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-
3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with an Apical Industries, Inc. (Apical) 
emergency float kit installed under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
Number SR01535LA. This AD was prompted by an incident in which the 
floats installed on a helicopter failed to deploy. This AD requires 
inspecting, labeling, and replacing the float inflation hoses. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the emergency floatation gear to 
deploy during an emergency event.

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

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Apical Industries, Inc., 2608 Temple Heights Drive, Oceanside, CA 
92056-3512; telephone (760) 724-5300; fax: (760) 758-9612; or at 
www.apicalindustries.com. You may review copies 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 Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the STC, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address 
for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor,

[[Page 67023]]

Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Venessa Stiger, Cabin Safety/
Mechanical & Environmental Systems, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5337; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 
206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with an Apical emergency 
float kit installed under STC number SR01535LA. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on June 5, 2013 (78 FR 33770). The NPRM proposed 
to require inspecting each float inflation hose port fitting for 
correct installation and condition, labeling each port fitting, 
installing a port fitting adapter on each port fitting, and replacing 
each aft float hose. The NPRM was prompted by an incident in which the 
floats did not deploy evenly and the right-hand mid-float ruptured on a 
helicopter modified with an Apical emergency float kit. Subsequent 
investigation determined that the uneven deployment resulted from 
incorrect installation of the float inflation hoses on the port fitting 
at the base of the forward crosstube saddle. The NPRM was proposed to 
prevent failure of the emergency floats to inflate fully in an 
emergency.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 33770, June 5, 
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that an unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design and that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 265 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
Based on an average labor rate of $85 per hour, we estimate that 
operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this 
AD. Inspecting the float inflation hoses and installing the marking 
labels will require about 1 work hour, and required parts will cost 
about $2, for a cost per helicopter of $87, and a total cost to U.S. 
operators of $23,055. Installing the port fitting adaptor and replacing 
the aft float hose assembly will require about 1 work hour, and 
required parts will cost about $165, for a cost per helicopter of $250. 
Thus, we estimate a total cost to U.S. operators of $89,305.
    If any fitting has excessive corrosion or damage, replacing the 
fitting will require about 1 work hour, and required parts will cost 
about $125, for a cost per helicopter of $210.

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, 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.

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):

2013-22-21 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-17653; Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0481; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-003-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 
206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters with 
an Apical Industries, Inc. (Apical), emergency float kit installed 
under Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Number SR01535LA, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrectly installed 
float inflation hoses, which could result in failure of the 
emergency floats to inflate fully during an emergency.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 13, 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

    (1) Within 45 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Inspect each float inflation hose port fitting at the left-
hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) forward crosstube saddles for 
corrosion, damage, or a bend in the tubing greater than 5 degrees 
from their original position.
    (A) If there is corrosion that has penetrated the base material 
more than .010 inch, or damage that has removed more than .010 inch 
of base material, before further flight, replace the port fitting.
    (B) If there is a bend in the port fitting tubing greater than 5 
degrees from the original position of the tube, bend the port 
fitting back to its original position to enable complete sealing of 
the port fitting adapter.
    (ii) Inspect the position of each float inflation hose for 
proper connection and routing to the LH and RH port fittings. If the 
position of any float inflation hose is not as shown in figure 2 of 
Apical Alert Service Bulletin No. SB2010-03, Revision C, dated 
December 21, 2011 (ASB SB2010-03), before further flight, correct 
the installation of the float inflation hose at the port fitting.
    (iii) Install a marking label on the LH and RH port fittings as 
shown in figures 3 and 4

[[Page 67024]]

of ASB SB2010-03 and seal the marking label with clear shrink 
tubing.
    (2) Within 6 months:
    (i) Remove each hose connecting the aft float to the port 
fitting, part number (P/N) 602.1417 for Model 206A and 206B 
helicopters, P/N 602.1420 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters, or P/N 602.1413 for Model 407 helicopters, from each 
skid tube.
    (ii) Install a port fitting adaptor, P/N 614.8709, onto the 
straight line fitting on the LH and RH port fittings as depicted in 
figure 6 of ASB SB2010-03.
    (iii) Install an aft float hose, P/N 602.1430 for Model 206A and 
206B helicopters, P/N 602.1431 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 
206L-4 helicopters, or P/N 602.1429 for Model 407 helicopters, to 
each port fitting adaptor and aft float.
    (3) Do not install a hose, P/N 602.1417 for Model 206A and 206B 
helicopters, P/N 602.1420 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters, or P/N 602.1413 for Model 407 helicopters, on any 
helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Venessa 
Stiger, Cabin Safety/Mechanical & Environmental Systems, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone 
(562) 627-5337; 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

    STC No. SR01535LA, amended February 2, 2007, may be found on the 
internet in the AD Docket at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0481.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212: Emergency 
Flotation Section.

(i) 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) Apical Alert Service Bulletin No. SB2010-03, Revision C, 
dated December 21, 2011.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Apical service information identified in this AD, 
contact Apical Industries, Inc., 2608 Temple Heights Drive, 
Oceanside, CA 92056-3512; telephone (760) 724-5300; fax: (760) 758-
9612; or at www.apicalindustries.com.
    (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 also 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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26563 Filed 11-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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