Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, and 222U Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 155 (Monday, August 11, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46548-46549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17991]



[[Page 46548]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0178; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-20-AD; 
Amendment 39-15622; AD 2008-16-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 
Model 222, 222B, and 222U 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 BHTC 
Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country 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 the existing rigging procedures for the tail rotor 
pitch change mechanism have to be changed due to possibility of parts 
interference.'' The cumulative effect of individual part tolerances 
resulting in the total assemblage of those parts being out of tolerance 
could result in the tail rotor yoke striking another part other than 
the flapping stop (parts interference) cited in the MCAI. Also, the 
misalignment of the tail rotor counterweight bellcrank may result in 
higher tail rotor pedal forces and a higher pilot workload after 
failure of the No. 1 hydraulic system. Both parts interference and the 
misaligned counterweight bellcrank create an unsafe condition.
    We are issuing this AD to require actions that are intended to 
address these unsafe conditions.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 15, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 15, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.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, 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: Tyrone Millard, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5439, 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 following BHTC helicopters:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                          Serial No. (S/N)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
222.......................................  47006 through 47089.
222B......................................  47131 through 47156.
222U......................................  All.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2007 
(72 FR 64542). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states: ``It has been determined that 
the existing rigging procedures for the tail rotor pitch change 
mechanism have to be changed due to possibility of parts 
interference.'' Because the cumulative effect of the tolerances on the 
various parts may result in the total assemblage outboard of the 
counterweight bellcrank being out of tolerance, the tail rotor yoke may 
contact the nut, part number (P/N) 222-012-731-001, before contacting 
the flapping stop, resulting in less tail rotor travel. Additionally, 
the manufacturer has indicated that the tail rotor counterweight 
bellcranks may be misaligned, resulting in higher tail rotor pedal 
forces and higher pilot workload after failure of the <greek-i>1 
hydraulic system. Both the parts interference and the higher pedal 
forces constitute unsafe conditions. 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.

Relevant Service Information

    Bell Helicopter Textron has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
222-07-104 and ASB No. 222U-07-75, both dated January 9, 2007. 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, this AD requires 
compliance within the next 150 hours time-in-service or at the next 
annual inspection, whichever occurs first, instead of ``at the next 150 
hour or annual inspection, but no later than 31 December 2007.'' In 
making this change, we do not intend to differ substantively from the 
information provided in the MCAI. This difference is highlighted in the 
``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI'' section in the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 86 products of U.S. 
registry. Also, we estimate that it will take 2 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. A replacement yoke will cost about $21,218, 
assuming the part is no longer under warranty. However, because the 
service information lists this part as covered under warranty, we have 
assumed that there will be no charge for this part. Therefore, as we do 
not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may 
incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $13,760, or $160 
per 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

[[Page 46549]]

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:

2008-16-04 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-15622; 
Docket No. FAA-2007-0178; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-20-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on 
September 15, 2008.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Model 222, serial numbers (S/N) 47006 
through 47089; Model 222B, S/N 47131 through 47156, and Model 222U, 
all S/N, helicopters, certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states: ``It has been determined that the existing rigging 
procedures for the tail rotor pitch change mechanism have to be 
changed due to possibility of parts interference.'' This 
``possibility of parts interference'' occurs because the cumulative 
effect of the tolerances on the various parts may result in the 
total assemblage outboard of the counterweight bellcrank being out 
of tolerance and the tail rotor yoke may contact the nut, part 
number (P/N) 222-012-731-001, before contacting the flapping stop. 
Further, the manufacturer has indicated that the tail rotor 
counterweight bellcranks may be misaligned, resulting in higher tail 
rotor pedal forces and higher pilot workload after failure of the 
<greek-i>1 hydraulic system. Both the parts interference and the 
higher pedal forces constitute unsafe conditions. This AD requires 
actions that are intended to address these unsafe conditions.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within the next 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the 
next annual inspection, whichever occurs first, unless already done, 
do the following actions:
    (1) Adjust the rigging of the tail rotor pitch change mechanism 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1 and 
2, of the applicable Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) listed in the following Table 1:

                                 Table 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Helicopter model                 Applicable ASB No. & date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
222 and 222B..............................  No. 222-07-104, dated
                                             January 9, 2007.
222U......................................  No. 222U-07-75, dated
                                             January 9, 2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) If either at full left pedal position or full right pedal 
position a gap exists between the tail rotor yoke and the flapping 
stop, replace the tail rotor yoke with an airworthy tail rotor yoke.
    (3) If no gap exists between the tail rotor yoke and the 
flapping stop at either full left pedal position or full right pedal 
position, measure the gap between the tail rotor yoke and nut, P/N 
222-012-731-001, adjust the tail rotor pitch change mechanism, and 
adjust the tail rotor pedal forces in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 4 through 6, of the 
applicable ASB listed in Table 1 of this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    (f) This AD requires compliance within the next 150 hours TIS or 
at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs first, instead of 
``at the next 150 hour or annual inspection but no later than 31 
December 2007.''

Other Information

    (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Tyrone Millard, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5439, fax (817) 
222-5961 has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) MCAI Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive No. CF-2007-
07, dated April 11, 2007, contains related information.

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code

    (i) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code JASC 6720: 
Tail Rotor Control System, Tail Rotor Pitch Change.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the specified portions of Bell Helicopter 
Textron ASB No. 222-07-104 or No. 222U-07-75, both dated January 9, 
2007, to do the actions required.
    (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 July 18, 2008.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-17991 Filed 8-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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