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

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 133 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39577-39578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14736]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0040; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-13-AD; 
Amendment 39-15598; AD 2008-14-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 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) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 
206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 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 which we have a 
bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI: ``It has been determined that 
some helicopters have been fitted with a CRES steel fitting, part 
number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, and the installation of the tailboom 
attachment bolt does not meet the design criteria.'' We are issuing 
this AD to require actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition that results from an improper installation of the tailboom 
attachment bolt in the upper left-hand tailboom attachment CRES steel 
fitting.

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 
BHTC, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 
437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272.
    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) 647-5227) 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 Policy 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 specified products. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on January 23, 2008 (73 FR 3887). That NPRM proposed 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products which results 
from an improper installation of the tailboom attachment bolt in the 
upper left hand tailboom attachment CRES steel fitting. The MCAI 
states: ``It has been determined that some helicopters have been fitted 
with a CRES steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, and the 
installation of the tailboom attachment bolt does not meet the design 
criteria.''

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.

Relevant Service Information

    BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-06-110 and No. 206L-
06-140, both dated September 7, 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

    There are no differences between this AD and the MCAI AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 2,206 helicopters (1,471 
Model 206A and 206B helicopters and 735 Model 206L helicopters) of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about .5 work-hour per 
helicopter to determine if a tailboom attachment bolt must be replaced 
and, if so, 1 additional work hour to replace the tailboom attachment 
bolt. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will 
cost about $133 for Model 206L series helicopters, and $71 for Model 
206A and 206B series helicopters. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $466,916, or $253 for each 
Model 206L series helicopter and $191 for each Model 206A and 206B 
series helicopter.

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

[[Page 39578]]

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:

2008-14-03 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-15598. 
Docket No. FAA-2008-0040; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-13-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 Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 
and 206L-4 helicopters, with an upper left-hand tailboom attachment 
CRES steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, installed, 
certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    ``It has been determined that some helicopters have been fitted 
with a CRES steel fitting, part number (P/N) 407-030-750-103, and 
the installation of the tailboom attachment bolt does not meet the 
design criteria.''
    We have determined that an improper installation of the tailboom 
attachment bolt in the upper left-hand tailboom attachment CRES 
steel fitting, P/N 407-030-750-103, creates an unsafe condition.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless 
already done, do the following:
    (1) For those helicopters with an upper left-hand CRES tailboom 
attachment fitting, P/N 407-030-750-103, determine if the correct 
number and type of washers are installed, the tailboom attachment 
bolt is oriented in the correct direction, and the correct number of 
bolt threads are exposed in accordance with the NOTES on Figure 1 of 
the applicable Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) in the following Table 
I.

                                 Table I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                          ASB No. and date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
206A, 206B................................  206-06-110, dated September
                                             7, 2006.
206L, L-1, L-3, L-4.......................  206L-06-140, dated September
                                             7, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) If the correct number and type of washers are installed, the 
tailboom attachment bolt is oriented in the correct direction, and 
the correct number of tailboom attachment bolt threads is exposed, 
do a torque inspection of the nut.
    (A) If the torque is below the minimum required amount, replace 
the tailboom attachment bolt in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part II, step 1 of the applicable ASB listed in Table 
I of this AD.
    (B) If the torque is above the maximum amount, adjust the torque 
to within the allowable range.
    (ii) If an incorrect number or type of washer is installed or 
the tailboom attachment bolt is oriented in the wrong direction, 
reconfigure as necessary to meet the requirements of the NOTES on 
Figure 1 of the applicable ASB listed in Table I of this AD.
    (iii) If there is less than 1 tailboom attachment bolt thread 
exposed, adjust the number of washers and retorque the nut so that 
between 1 and 3 tailboom attachment bolt threads are exposed at the 
proper nut torque.
    (iv) If more than 3 tailboom attachment bolt threads are 
exposed, replace the attachment bolt in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, step 1 of the applicable ASB 
listed in Table 1 of this AD.
    (2) If a tailboom attachment bolt must be replaced based on a 
requirement of this AD, at 100 hours TIS after the tailboom 
attachment bolt is replaced, do a torque inspection of the nut.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) None.

Other Information

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

Related Information

    (h) MCAI Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-01, 
dated January 19, 2007, contains related information.

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code

    (i) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5340, 
Fuselage Main, Attach Fittings.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the specified portions of Bell Helicopter 
Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206-06-110 or No. 206L-06-140, 
both dated September 7, 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., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 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 12, 2008.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-14736 Filed 7-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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