Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 407 and 427 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 209 (Friday, October 30, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56104-56106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26120]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1003; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-25-AD; 
Amendment 39-16064; AD 2009-22-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
407 and 427 Helicopters

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 407 and 427 helicopters. This AD 
results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 
issued by the aviation authority of Canada. The MCAI AD states that, 
during a preflight check, it was observed that the swashplate link 
assembly bearing had moved in the lever race, making contact with the 
swashplate support. The MCAI also states that further investigation 
revealed that the bearing had not been staked correctly during 
manufacture. That condition, if not detected, could result in failure 
of a bearing, failure of the swashplate link assembly, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 16, 2009.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101, telephone 
(817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.

[[Page 56105]]

    Examining the Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is stated in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2009-14, dated April 15, 2009 to correct an unsafe 
condition for Bell Model 407 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 53000 
through 53887, 53890 through 53916, 53918, 53920, 53921, 53923 through 
53926, and 53928; and Model 427 helicopters, S/N 56001 through 56074, 
58001, and 58002, with an anti-drive link assembly, part number (P/N) 
406-010-432-101, that has a serial number prefix of ``TI'' or ``TIFS.'' 
Transport Canada states that during a preflight check, it was observed 
that the swashplate link assembly bearing had moved in the lever race, 
making contact with the swashplate support. Transport Canada also 
states that further investigation revealed that the bearing had not 
been staked correctly during manufacture and that this situation, if 
not corrected, could lead to loss of control of the helicopter. You may 
obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and any related 
service information in the AD docket.

Related Service Information

    Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 407-09-87, dated 
March 27, 2009, for the Model 407 helicopters and ASB No. 427-09-24, 
Revision A, dated March 30, 2009, for the Model 427 helicopters. The 
ASBs specify a one-time inspection of all anti-drive link assemblies, 
P/N 406-010-432-101 with a serial number prefix of ``TI'' or ``TIFS,'' 
to ensure that the bearing, P/N 406-310-403-101, is correctly and 
securely staked in the link assembly. The actions described in the MCAI 
AD are intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified 
in the ASBs.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada, and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Canada, they have notified us of the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI AD. We are issuing this AD 
because we evaluated all information provided by Transport Canada and 
determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    This AD differs from the MCAI AD as follows:
    <bullet> This AD requires compliance within 10 hours time-in-
service (TIS), the MCAI AD requires compliance within the next 10 
flight hours, but no later than 30 days from the effective day of the 
MCAI AD, which was May 6, 2009; and
    <bullet> This AD does not apply to Model 427 helicopters with S/N 
58001 or 58002 because those serial-numbered helicopters are not 
eligible for an FAA certificate of airworthiness.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 554 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per 
helicopter to inspect and replace, if necessary, the bearing or the 
anti-drive link assembly. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Required parts will cost about $400 for a bearing or $3,517 for an 
anti-drive link assembly, per helicopter. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators will be $1,992,738 
($3,597 per helicopter), assuming that all anti-drive link assemblies 
are replaced.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. We find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
structural integrity of the helicopter and the inspection must be 
performed within 10 hours TIS. Therefore, we have determined that 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written data, views, or 
arguments concerning this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section of this AD. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-
1003; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-25-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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

[[Page 56106]]

    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, 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:

2009-22-11 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-16064. 
Docket No. FAA-2009-1003; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-25-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on 
November 16, 2009.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following model and serial-numbered 
helicopters with an anti-drive (swashplate) link assembly (link 
assembly), part number (P/N) 406-010-432-101, that has a serial 
number (S/N) prefix of ``TI'' or ``TIFS'', certificated in any 
category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
407..............................  53000 through 53887, 53890 through
                                    53916, 53918, 53920, 53921, 53923
                                    through 53926, and 53928.
427..............................  56001 through 56074.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD 
states during a preflight check it was observed that the swashplate 
link assembly bearing had moved in the lever race, making contact 
with the swashplate support. The MCAI AD also states that further 
investigation revealed that the bearing had not been staked 
correctly during manufacture. That condition, if not detected, could 
result in failure of a bearing, failure of the link assembly, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
    (1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a 10x or higher 
magnifying glass, inspect the link assembly and determine if the 
bearing, P/N 406-310-403-101, is correctly installed and properly 
staked in the link assembly. Also inspect to ensure that the bearing 
is not loose.
    (2) Before further flight, replace any bearing that is 
incorrectly installed or improperly staked in the link assembly.
    (3) Before further flight, replace the link assembly if the 
bearing is loose.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD

    (f) This AD differs from the MCAI AD as follows:
    (1) This AD requires compliance within 10 hours TIS, the MCAI AD 
requires compliance within the next 10 flight hours, but no later 
than 30 days from the effective day of the MCAI AD, which was May 6, 
2009; and
    (2) This AD does not apply to Model 427 helicopters, S/N 58001 
or 58002, because those serial-numbered helicopters are not eligible 
for an FAA certificate of airworthiness.

Other Information

    (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone 
(817) 222-5122, 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) The following documents contain related information:
    (1) Transport Canada AD No. CF-2009-14, dated April 15, 2009;
    (2) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-09-87, dated 
March 27, 2009; and
    (3) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 427-09-24, 
Revision A, dated March 30, 2009.

Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code

    (i) JASC Code 6230: Main rotor/swashplate.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on October 20, 2009.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-26120 Filed 10-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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