Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35481-35485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13263]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0574; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-22-AD; 
Amendment 39-17766; AD 2014-04-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-05-03 for 
Bell Model 407 helicopters. AD 2003-05-03 required preflight checking 
and repetitively inspecting for a crack in certain tailbooms that have 
been redesigned, replacing the tailboom if there is a crack, modifying 
and re-identifying certain tailbooms, installing an improved horizontal 
stabilizer assembly, and assigning a 5,000 hour time-in-service (TIS) 
limit. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2003-05-03 and 
requires additional inspection requirements. This AD was prompted by 
additional reports of cracked tailboom skins. The actions in this AD 
are intended to prevent separation of the tailboom and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective July 28, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 28, 
2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of April 
17, 2003 (68 FR 11967, March 13, 2003).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada, 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 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 in Docket No. FAA-2013-0574 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 
foreign authority's AD, any incorporated-by-reference information, the 
economic 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, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5110, 
fax (817) 222-5961, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2003-05-03 (68 FR 11967, March 13, 2003). AD 
2003-05-03 applied to Bell Model 407 helicopters. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on July 12, 2013 (78 FR 41877). The NPRM proposed 
to retain the actions of AD 2003-05-03 requiring preflight checks and 
repetitive inspections for a crack in certain tailbooms that have been 
redesigned, replacing the tailboom if there is a crack, modifying and 
re-identifying certain tailbooms, installing an improved horizontal 
stabilizer assembly, and assigning a 5,000 hour TIS limit. The NPRM 
also proposed to require additional inspection requirements.
    The NPRM was prompted by Canadian AD No. CF-2008-04, dated January 
11, 2008 (AD CF-2008-04), issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation 
(TCAA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, to correct an 
unsafe condition for Bell Model 407 helicopters. TCAA advises that 
there have been several reports of cracks to the tailboom skin on the 
left side in the area of the horizontal stabilizer. AD CF-2008-04 
mandates new inspection requirements based on the manufacturer's 
service information discussed in the ``Related Service Information'' 
section under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION in the preamble of this final 
rule.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but

[[Page 35482]]

we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 41877, July 12, 
2013).

FAA's Determination

    The helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, TCAA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the TCAA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by TCAA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type 
design and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD requirements as proposed except we are removing one of the figures 
in this AD to meet current publication requirements. This change is 
consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 41877, 
July 12, 2013), and will not increase the economic burden on any 
operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the TCAA AD

    This AD does not require you to contact the manufacturer. This AD 
does not state that replacing the affected tailboom with tailboom, part 
number (P/N) 407-030-801-201, -203, -205, or later numbers constitutes 
terminating action because installing other part-numbered tailbooms 
than those listed in the applicability of this AD may also result in 
terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Bell Technical Bulletin (TB) No. 407-01-33, dated 
August 29, 2001; Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 407-99-26, 
Revision B, dated June 14, 2001, and Revision C, dated February 28, 
2002; Bell ASB No. 407-07-80, dated August 27, 2007; and Bell ASB No. 
407-01-48, Revision C, dated August 27, 2007.
    Bell issued TB No. 407-01-33 for certain serial-numbered Bell Model 
407 helicopters to improve the installation of the horizontal 
stabilizer by specifying an inspection for and correction of any gaps 
between the horizontal stabilizer attachment supports and the 
stabilizer surface. Bell issued ASB No. 407-99-26, Revision B, to 
specify an inspection and a preflight check of the left-hand side of 
the tailboom skin and fasteners at the horizontal stabilizer attachment 
area for Bell Model 407 helicopters with certain part-numbered 
tailbooms. Bell later revised ASB No. 407-99-26 to Revision C to remove 
one part-numbered tailboom from the applicability of the ASB.
    In ASB No. 407-07-80, Bell states it has received additional 
reports of cracked tailboom skins, P/N 407-030-801-157, affecting 
tailboom assemblies, P/N 407-530-014-101 and -103 (modified per AD 
2003-05-03 (68 FR 11967, March 13, 2003), reference ASB No. 407-01-48, 
Revision B, dated April 25, 2002), and original production tailboom 
assembly, P/N 407-030-801-107. Each report indicated a crack above the 
left side upper stabilizer attachment support at Station 98.89. Further 
investigation conducted by Bell revealed other areas of the tailbooms 
require additional attention. Thus, ASB No. 407-07-080 contains 
procedures for preparing the tailboom for repetitive inspection, 
preflight checking the tailboom, and repetitively inspecting the 
tailboom. Bell specifies that replacing the affected tailboom assembly, 
P/N 407-530-014-101, -103 or 407-030-801-107, with tailboom assembly, 
P/N 407-030-801-201, -203, -205, or later dash numbers is terminating 
action for Bell ASB No. 407-07-80.
    In ASB No. 407-01-48, Bell states that since issuing Revision C of 
ASB No. 407-99-26, it received additional reports of cracks in the 
upper skins, which originated from holes where the fasteners are 
installed at the forward and aft section of the left upper stabilizer 
support, P/N 407-023-800-117. ASB No. 407-01-48 contains procedures for 
inspecting the tailboom on the left side where the fasteners are 
installed, installing an improved horizontal stabilizer assembly, re-
identifying the tailboom, and assigning a 5,000-hour TIS life limit to 
the tailboom.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 464 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We estimate that operators will incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. We estimate the time for conducting pilot 
checks is minimal and thus we are assuming there is no cost. It will 
take about .5 work-hour to perform the annotations in the helicopter 
records, 1.5 work hours to prepare the inspection area and do the 
magnification inspection, and 2.5 work hours to do the repetitive 100-
hour TIS inspections at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators will be $1,445 per helicopter and $670,480 for the U.S. 
operator fleet to do the checks and inspections, based on 6 repetitive 
inspections the first year. The previous AD affected 284 helicopters, 
and we estimated 3.5 work hours to do the initial inspection, 1.5 work 
hours to do the recurring inspections, and 18 work hours to do the 
modification at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts were estimated at $1,244 per helicopter. Based on these figures, 
the total cost of the AD on U.S. operators was estimated to be $3,254 
per helicopter or $924,136, based on 8 repetitive inspections per year.
    According to Bell, the cost of a new tailboom is $82,850. Per Bell 
ASB No. 407-07-80, the costs to replace the tailboom may be covered 
under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by Bell. 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 products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that 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

[[Page 35483]]

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2003-05-03 (68 FR 11967, March 13, 2003) and by adding the following 
new AD:

2014-04-07 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-17766; 
Docket No. FAA-2013-0574; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-22-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 
through 53475, with tailboom, part number (P/N) 407-030-801-101, -
105, or -107, or 407-530-014-101 or -103, installed, certificated in 
any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as cracks in the tailboom 
skin on the left side in the area of horizontal stabilizer, which 
could result in separation of the tailboom and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2003-05-03, Amendment 39-13079 (68 FR 
11967, March 13, 2003).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 28, 2014.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) For tailboom, P/Ns 407-030-801-101 and -105:
    (i) Unmodified per Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-01-48, 
Revision C, dated August 27, 2007 (ASB 407-01-48):
    (A) Before the first flight of each day, visually check the 
tailboom for a crack, as depicted in Figure 1 to Paragraph 
(f)(1)(i)(A) of this AD.
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

[[Page 35484]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JN14.000

BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
    (B) For a tailboom with 600 or more hours time-in-service (TIS), 
within 25 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 
hours TIS, visually inspect the tailboom for a crack using a 10X or 
higher magnifying glass by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part II, of Bell ASB 407-99-26, Revision C, dated 
February 28, 2002, except this AD does not require you to contact 
Bell.
    (ii) Within 600 hours TIS, but not later than 30 days:
    (A) Modify and re-identify each tailboom, P/N 407-030-801-101 as 
407-530-014-101, and P/N 407-030-801-105 as 407-530-014-103, by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, Parts I and III, of ASB 
407-01-48.
    (B) Install improved horizontal stabilizer assembly, P/N 407-
023-800-ALL, by following Bell Technical Bulletin No. 407-01-33, 
dated August 29, 2001, except this AD does not require you to 
contact Bell.
    (2) For tailboom, P/Ns 407-530-014-101 and -103, and P/N 407-
030-801-107:
    (i) Before further flight after the tailboom is modified and re-
identified, revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
maintenance manual by establishing a retirement life of 5,000 hours 
TIS. Create a

[[Page 35485]]

component history card or equivalent record and assign a life limit 
of 5,000 hours TIS by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Part IV, of ASB 407-01-48.
    (ii) Within 25 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs first, 
prepare the tailboom for daily visual checks and recurring 
inspections and inspect the tailboom for a crack by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, Steps 1.a) through 1.f), of 
Bell ASB 407-07-80, dated August 27, 2007 (ASB 407-07-80).
    (iii) Thereafter, before the first flight of each day, clean the 
area on the tailboom where paint has been removed at the upper and 
lower attachment support areas of the horizontal stabilizer and 
visually check that area of the tailboom for a crack.
    (iv) Within 100 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours TIS, using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, 
inspect each tailboom for a loose rivet, a crack, skin corrosion, or 
any other damage, by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 
IV, Steps 1 through 6, of ASB 407-07-80, except this AD does not 
require you to contact Bell. If there is corrosion within an 
allowable tolerance, repair each area of corrosion.
    (3) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the 
tailboom.
    (4) If there is no crack, make sure both of the inspection area 
surfaces are dry and protect each reworked area with a thin coat of 
clear coating.
    (5) The actions required by paragraphs (f)(1)(i)(A) and 
(f)(2)(iii) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator 
(pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be 
entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1) through (4) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). 
This record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 
121.380, or 135.439.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Sharon Miles, 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.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-99-26, Revision B, dated 
June 14, 2001, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. For this 
service information, contact Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 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 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 No. CF-2008-04, dated January 11, 2008. You 
may view the TCCA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in Docket No. FAA-2013-0574.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code is 5300: Rotorcraft 
Tail Boom, and 5302: Middle Section.

(j) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 28, 2014.
    (i) Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
407-01-48, Revision C, dated August 27, 2007.
    (ii) Bell Helicopter Textron ASB No. 407-07-80, dated August 27, 
2007.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
April 17, 2003 (68 FR 11967, March 13, 2003).
    (i) Bell Helicopter Textron ASB No. 407-99-26, Revision C, dated 
February 28, 2002.
    (ii) Bell Helicopter Textron Technical Bulletin No. 407-01-33, 
dated August 29, 2001.
    (5) For Bell service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 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/.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 21, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-13263 Filed 6-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T02:47:38.005491+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

17be9b00f4858c917bfc0ecf7fd281ccf2134ca289cdce94618a32b2aec7dafc

Text SHA-256

b2d4e6f1ad4f9acaa54c11a4abbe88d981994bd759e2481bd1018a64973ac804