Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 206L, L-1, L-3, L-4, and 407 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 133 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39570-39572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14719]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0258; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-22-AD; 
Amendment 39-15601; AD 2008-14-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
206L, L-1, L-3, L-4, and 407 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) helicopters. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated by an aviation authority to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The Aviation Authority of Canada with 
whom we have a bilateral agreement states in the MCAI: ``Horizontal 
stabilizers part numbers 206-023-119-167 and 407-023-801-109 may have 
manufacturing flaws on the inside surface of the upper and/or lower 
skin at the tailboom attachment inserts. These flaws may result in 
cracking of the skin and failure of the horizontal stabilizer.''
    The manufacturer's service information states that in addition to 
cracks, the horizontal stabilizer may have deformation or debonding 
around and between the inserts. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 14, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 14, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 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.

[[Page 39571]]

    Examining the AD Docket: The AD docket contains the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the economic evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address and operating hours 
for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) are in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after they are received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that 
would apply to the BHTC Model Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Models 
206L, L-1, L-3, L-4, and 407 helicopters on February 28, 2008. That 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2008 (73 FR 
12303). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states: ``Horizontal stabilizers part 
numbers 206-023-119-167 and 407-023-801-109 may have manufacturing 
flaws on the inside surface of the upper and/or lower skin at the 
tailboom attachment inserts. These flaws may result in cracking of the 
skin and failure of the horizontal stabilizer.''
    The manufacturer's service information states that in addition to 
cracks, the horizontal stabilizer may have deformation or debonding 
around and between the inserts.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and any 
related service information in the AD docket.

Comments

    By publishing the NPRM, we gave the public an opportunity to 
participate in developing this AD. However, we received no comment on 
the NPRM or on our determination of the cost to the public. Therefore, 
based on our review and evaluation of the available data, we have 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed, except for correcting a typographical error in the 
preamble. Under the heading, ``Relevant Service Information,'' we have 
corrected the name of the manufacturer issuing the service bulletins to 
BHTC rather than Transport Canada. This change will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Relevant Service Information

    BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-06-141 and No. 407-
06-72, both dated September 12, 2006. The actions described in the MCAI 
are intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in 
the service information.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. However, we have changed the 
alternate compliance time from May 9, 2007, to within 30 days, and we 
have not mandated replacing the horizontal stabilizer by a certain 
date. In making this change, we do not intend to differ substantively 
from the information provided in the MCAI.
    Differences are highlighted in the ``Differences Between the FAA AD 
and the MCAI'' section in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate this AD will affect 59 horizontal stabilizers (27-206L 
and 32-407 models) on about 1156 products of U.S. registry and will 
take about:
    <bullet> 2.5 work hours to determine if the affected part is 
installed on the helicopter,
    <bullet> 4 work hours to perform the initial and 600-hour recurring 
inspection, and
    <bullet> 8 work hours to remove and replace an affected part.
    The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour and required parts cost 
about $20,173 for the Model 206L series and $25,669 for the Model 407 
helicopters. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on 
U.S. operators to be $1,663,519, assuming the entire fleet is examined 
for the affected part; 59 helicopters with the affected parts undergo 
the initial inspection; 30 helicopters with the affected part undergo 
one recurring 600-hour inspection; and all 59 affected parts are 
replaced.

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 product(s) identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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.
    Therefore, I certify this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    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

0
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 AD:

2008-14-06 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-15601, 
Docket No. FAA-2008-0258; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-22-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on 
August 14, 2008.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters with

[[Page 39572]]

horizontal stabilizer, part number (P/N) 206-023-119-167, and Model 
407 helicopters with horizontal stabilizer, P/N 407-023-801-109, 
installed, certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states: ``Horizontal stabilizers part numbers 206-023-119-167 and 
407-023-801-109 may have manufacturing flaws on the inside surface 
of the upper and/or lower skin at the tailboom attachment inserts. 
These flaws may result in cracking of the skin and failure of the 
horizontal stabilizer.''
    The manufacturer's service information states that in addition 
to cracks, the horizontal stabilizer may have deformation or 
debonding around and between the inserts. This AD requires actions 
that are intended to address all these unsafe conditions.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days, 
whichever occurs first, unless done previously.
    (1) Determine whether you have an affected serial numbered 
horizontal stabilizer installed by removing the elevators from the 
horizontal stabilizer. Access the horizontal stabilizer 
identification tag containing the horizontal stabilizer serial 
number as shown in Figure 1 and remove the elevators by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, of Bell Helicopter Textron 
Canada (BHTC) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-06-141, dated 
September 12, 2006, applicable to the Model 206L series helicopter 
(206L ASB) or BHTC ASB No. 407-06-72, dated September 12, 2006, 
applicable to the Model 407 helicopters (407 ASB).
    (2) If the serial number on the identification tag is a serial 
number listed in Table 1 of the 206L ASB or 407 ASB, inspect the 
horizontal stabilizer as follows:
    (i) Using a 10x or higher magnifying glass, inspect the 
horizontal stabilizer for a crack or deformation around the areas of 
the inserts. Also, using a tap test method, inspect for debonding 
between the inserts by following the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Part II, of either the 206L ASB or 407 ASB, as applicable.
    (ii) If you find a crack, deformation, or debonding, replace the 
horizontal stabilizer with an airworthy horizontal stabilizer that 
does not have a serial number listed in Table 1 of the 206L ASB or 
407 ASB. Replace the horizontal stabilizer by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, of either the 206L ASB or the 
407 ASB, as applicable.
    (iii) If you do not find a crack, deformation, or debonding, 
thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS or during each 
annual inspection, whichever occurs first, repeat the inspection 
required by paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this AD.
    (f) Replacing any horizontal stabilizer containing a serial 
number listed in Table 1 of 206L ASB or 407 ASB with a horizontal 
stabilizer that does not contain such a serial number by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, of either the 206L ASB or 
407 ASB, as applicable, constitutes terminating actions for the 
requirements of this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (g) The MCAI requires compliance ``within the next 100 hours air 
time but no later than 9 May 2007.'' This AD requires compliance 
within the next 100 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs first, 
unless done previously. Also, the MCAI requires replacing the 
horizontal stabilizer by September 30, 2008, and we have not 
mandated a compliance time for replacing the horizontal stabilizer.

Other Information

    (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Send information to ATTN Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.

Related Information

    (i) MCAI Transport Canada AD No. CF-2007-03, dated March 27, 
2007, contains related information.

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code

    (j) ATA Code 5510: Horizontal Stabilizer Structure.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the specified portions of Bell Helicopter 
Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-06-141 or No. 407-06-
72, both dated September 12, 2006, to do the actions required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) 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.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 
76193; or 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 June 19, 2008.
Judy I. Carl,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-14719 Filed 7-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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