Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopter Inc., Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 26, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31359-31361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11157]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0064; Project Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD; Amendment 
39-21132; AD 2020-11-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopter Inc., Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD 
Helicopters Inc., (MDHI) Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 
369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of 
non-conforming main rotor (M/R) hub lead-lag bolts (bolts). This AD 
requires removing certain bolts from service. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 30, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. 
McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 1-800-388-
3378; fax 480-346-6813; or at https://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 817-222-5110. It is also available on the internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0064.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-

[[Page 31360]]

0064; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is Docket Operations, 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: Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer, 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone 562-627-5313; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 
369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters, with 
certain serial-numbered bolts part number (P/N) 369D21220 installed. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 7, 2020 (85 FR 
7256). The NPRM was prompted by a report of non-conforming bolts. 
Certain serial-numbered bolts had an unauthorized repair of their 
cadmium plating performed between April 2004 and October 2018. Analysis 
has shown that these bolts have a lower fatigue life compared to bolts 
used during manufacturing batch testing. The NPRM proposed to require 
removing the affected bolts from service.
    This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of an M/R 
blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA a received comment from one 
commenter. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to the comment.

Request

    The commenter stated that the labor hours provided in the NPRM to 
replace a bolt are underestimated because bolt replacement cannot be 
performed while the M/R is installed on the rotorcraft. The cost 
estimation should include removal of the M/R blades, M/R driveshaft, 
and M/R head.
    The FAA agrees and has updated the Costs of Compliance for this AD.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed except for adjusting the 
labor hours to replace a bolt. The FAA has determined that this change:
    <bullet> Is consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Does not add any significant burden upon the public than 
was already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed MD Helicopters Service Bulletin No. SB369D-223 for 
Model 369D helicopters, No. SB369E-122 for Model 369E helicopters, No. 
SB369F-110 for Model 369FF helicopters, No. SB369H-259 for Model 369H, 
369HE, 369HS, and 369HM helicopters, No. SB500N-060 for Model 500N 
helicopters, and No. SB600N-073 for Model 600N helicopters, each dated 
April 19, 2019. These service bulletins are co-published as one 
document. This service information specifies determining the serial 
number of bolt P/N 369D21220, and if certain serial-numbered bolts are 
installed on a helicopter, contacting MDHI to schedule replacement of 
each affected bolt and reporting information. This service information 
also specifies returning removed parts to MDHI along with a completed 
Service Operation Report.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies reporting information and 
returning removed parts to MDHI, whereas this AD does not require 
either of those actions. The service information specifies replacing 
the affected bolts within 12 months, whereas this AD requires replacing 
the affected bolts within three months of the effective date of this 
AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 767 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Replacing a bolt takes about 1.75 work-hours and parts cost about 
$178 for an estimated cost of $327 per bolt.
    According to MDHI, some of the costs of this AD may be covered 
under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this 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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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:

[[Page 31361]]

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):

2020-11-07 MD Helicopter Inc. (MDHI): Amendment 39-21132; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0064; Project Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 30, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 
369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters, certificated in any 
category, with a main rotor (M/R) hub lead-lag bolt (bolt) part 
number (P/N) 369D21220 with a serial number (S/N) listed in 
paragraph 1.B. of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin No. SB369D-223, 
SB369E-122, SB369F-110, SB369H-259, SB500N-060, or SB600N-073, each 
dated April 19, 2019, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC): 6200, Main Rotor System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of non-conforming bolts. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of a bolt. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of an M/R blade 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) At the next overhaul of the M/R assembly or within 3 months, 
whichever occurs first, remove from service each bolt with a P/N and 
S/N listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
helicopter a bolt with a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph (c) of this 
AD.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit may be permitted for a one-time ferry 
flight to an authorized repair facility.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority 
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 
request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards 
District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may 
be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Payman Soltani, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount 
Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 562-627-5313; email 
[email protected].

(k) 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) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB369D-223, dated 
April 19, 2019.
    (ii) MD Helicopters SB No. SB369E-122, dated April 19, 2019.
    (iii) MD Helicopters SB No. SB369F-110, dated April 19, 2019.
    (iv) MD Helicopters SB No. SB369H-259, dated April 19, 2019.
    (v) MD Helicopters SB No. SB500N-060, dated April 19, 2019.
    (vi) MD Helicopters SB No. SB600N-073, dated April 19, 2019.

    Note 1 to paragraph (k)(2):  MD Helicopters SB No. SB369D-223, 
No. SB369E-122, No. SB369F-110, No. SB369H-259, No. SB500N-060, and 
No. SB600N-073, each dated April 19, 2019, are co-published as one 
document.

    (3) For MD Helicopters service information identified in this 
AD, contact MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 
4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 
1-800-388-3378; fax 480-346-6813; or at https://www.mdhelicopters.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 
6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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, email 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 19, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-11157 Filed 5-22-20; 8:45 am]
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