Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada, Model 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 161 (Friday, August 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45433-45435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21573]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-30-AD; Amendment 39-11265; AD 99-17-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of 
Textron Canada, Model 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron 
Canada (BHTC), Model 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 helicopters, that 
currently requires the creation of a component history card or 
equivalent record using the Retirement Index Number (RIN) system for 
certain mast and trunnions and a system for tracking increases to the 
accumulated RIN. That AD also establishes retirement lives for the mast 
and trunnion. This amendment requires the same actions required by the 
existing AD but increases the RIN multiplier for the mast and corrects 
a helicopter model number. This amendment is prompted by further tests 
and analyses that indicate the RIN multiplier for the Model 206L-4 
helicopters needs to be increased and the discovery of an error in a 
model designation in the existing AD. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the mast or trunnion, which 
could result in loss of the main rotor system and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 24, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of May 9, 1997 (62 FR 16073, April 4, 1997).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, a Division of Textron Canada, 
12,800 Rue de L-Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec, Canada J7J1R4, ATTN: Product 
Support Engineering Light Helicopters. This information may be examined 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jurgen Priester, Aerospace Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5159, fax 
(817) 222-5959.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 97-07-07, 
Amendment 39-9981 (62 FR 16073), applicable to BHTC Model 206L, L-1, L-
3, and L-4 helicopters, was published in the Federal Register on May 
26, 1999 (64 FR 28418). That action proposed requiring creation of a 
component history card or equivalent record using a RIN system, 
establishing a system for tracking increases to the accumulated RIN and 
establishing a maximum accumulated RIN for certain masts and trunnions. 
That action also proposed correcting an error in the increase in the 
RIN count for the Model 206L-4 in paragraph (c)(2), correcting a model 
number in paragraph (c)(1)(i), and

[[Page 45434]]

making other nonsubstantive changes to the text.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 711 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately (1) 8 work hours 
per helicopter to replace the mast and 10 work hours per helicopter to 
replace the trunnion due to the new method of determining the 
retirement life required by this AD; (2) 2 work hours per helicopter to 
create the component history card of equivalent record (record); (3) 10 
work hours per helicopter to maintain the record each year, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $9,538 per mast and $2,083 per trunnion. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators for the first year 
is estimated to be $2,016,989, and each subsequent year to be 
$1,945,889. These costs assume replacement of the mast and trunnion in 
one-sixth of the fleet each year, creation and maintenance of the 
records for all the fleet the first year, and creation of one-sixth of 
the fleet's records and maintenance of the records for all the fleet 
each subsequent year. The estimated cost impact amounts are based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-9981 (62 FR 
16073, April 4, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), Amendment 39-11265, to read as follows:

AD 99-17-19 Bell Helicopter Textron, A Division of Textron Canada: 
Amendment 39-11265. Docket No. 99-SW-30-AD. Supersedes AD 97-07-07, 
Amendment 39-9981, Docket No. 95-SW-36-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters, with main rotor mast (mast), part number (P/N) 206-040-
535-001, -005, -101, or -105, installed, or main rotor trunnion 
(trunnion), P/N 206-011-120-103, installed, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent fatigue failure of the mast or trunnion, which could 
result in loss of the main rotor system and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Create a component history card or an equivalent record for 
the affected mast and trunnion.
    (b) Determine the accumulated Retirement Index Number (RIN) to 
date based on the number of takeoffs and external load lifts (torque 
events) for parts in service in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-94-99, Revision A, dated May 1, 1995 
(ASB). Record this accumulated RIN on the component history card or 
equivalent record.
    (c) After complying with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, 
during each operation thereafter, maintain a count of the number of 
external load lifts and the number of takeoffs performed and at the 
end of each day's operations, increase the accumulated RIN on the 
component history card or equivalent record as follows:
    (1) For the trunnion,
    (i) Increase the RIN for the Model 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 
helicopters by 1 for each torque event.
    (ii) Increase the RIN for the Model 206L-4 helicopters by 2 for 
each torque event.
    (2) For the mast,
    (i) Increase the RIN for the Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3 
helicopters by 1 for each torque event.
    (ii) Increase the RIN for the Model 206L-4 helicopters by 2 for 
each torque event.

    Note 2: Previous Model 206L-4 mast RIN calculations may have 
increased the RIN by only 1 for each torque event. This AD increases 
the Model 206L-4 mast RIN by 2 for each torque event.

    (d) Remove the trunnion from service on or before attaining the 
maximum accumulated RIN (24,000) in accordance with Table 1 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the ASB. This AD revises the 
Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a 
retirement life of 24,000 RIN for the trunnion.
    (e) Remove the mast from service on or before attaining the 
maximum accumulated RIN (44,000) or the flight hour service life 
limit, whichever occurs first, in accordance with Table 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the ASB. This AD revises the 
Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a 
retirement life of 44,000 RIN for the mast.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft 
Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (g) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

[[Page 45435]]

    (h) The determination of the RIN count on the trunnion and mast 
shall be made in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert 
Service Bulletin No. 206L-94-99, Revision A, dated May 1, 1995. The 
incorporation by reference of that document was approved previously 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, as of May 9, 1997 (62 FR 16073, April 4, 
1997). Copies may be obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, a 
Division of Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de L-Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec, 
Canada J7J1R4, ATTN: Product Support Engineering Light Helicopters. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) This amendment becomes effective on September 24, 1999.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 12, 1999.
Eric Bries,
Acting Managaer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21573 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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