[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13059-13061]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4465]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 2011 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 13059]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0079; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-108-AD; 
Amendment 39-16587; AD 2010-26-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
(BHTC) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 
230, 407, 427, and 430 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-26-51, which was 
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified 
model helicopters by individual letters. This AD also supersedes 
existing AD 2009-08-03. This AD is prompted by another incident in 
which the tail rotor blade (blade) tip weight separated from a blade 
during flight causing vibration. This unsafe condition led to the 
determination that additional blades could be affected and should be 
added to the applicability. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent loss of the blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective March 25, 2011, to all persons except those persons to 
whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2010-26-51, 
issued on December 8, 2010, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 25, 2011.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 9, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <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 Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 
433-0272, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
    Examining The Docket: You may examine the docket that contains the 
AD, any comments, and other information 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 Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the West Building at the 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax 
(817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 26, 2009, the FAA issued AD 2009-
08-03, Amendment 39-15876 (74 FR 16112, April 9, 2009). AD 2009-08-03 
requires, before further flight, removing and replacing each affected 
blade with an airworthy blade. That action was prompted by three 
reports of blade tip weights being slung from the blades during 
flights, causing significant vibration.
    Since issuing AD 2009-08-03, BHTC has revised the Alert Service 
Bulletins (ASBs) based on revisions to the Rotor Blades Inc. (RBI) 
documents that are attached to the ASBs. All of the ASBs contain a 
letter from RBI indicating that RBI has received a fourth blade in 
which one tip weight was lost in flight. This prompted RBI to add 
additional blade serial numbers that could be affected. RBI asked BHTC 
to re-issue the affected ASBs calling for immediate inspection of the 
affected blades. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss 
of the blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

Related Service Information

    We have reviewed the following revised BHTC ASBs, all dated 
November 29, 2010. Each ASB contains an RBI letter that adds blade 
serial numbers to the RBI list.
    <bullet> No. 206-07-116, Revision B, for Model 206A/B series 
helicopters;
    <bullet> No. 206L-07-148, Revision B, for Model 206L series 
helicopters;
    <bullet> No. 222-07-106, Revision D, for Model 222 and 222B 
helicopters;
    <bullet> No. 222U-07-77, Revision D, for Model 222U helicopters;
    <bullet> No. 230-07-38, Revision D, for Model 230 helicopters;
    <bullet> No. 407-07-81, Revision B, for Model 407 helicopters;
    <bullet> No.427-07-18, Revision B, for Model 427 helicopters;
    <bullet> No. 430-07-41, Revision D, for Model 430 helicopters.
    Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified 
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on these helicopter models. 
Transport Canada advises of three reports of blade weights departing 
from the blades during flight due to missing weight screws and that the 
failure can occur at any time leading to loss of control of the 
helicopter. Transport Canada advises since issuing its original AD, the 
blade manufacturer has determined that a batch of additional blades 
could be affected. Transport Canada classified the ASBs as mandatory 
and issued revised AD No. CF-2007-21R1, dated November 30, 2010, to 
extend the applicability of the AD to cover the affected blades to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

[[Page 13060]]

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement, Transport Canada has notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the Transport Canada AD. We are issuing this AD 
because we evaluated all information provided by Transport Canada and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.
    Since the unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type designs, this AD requires, before 
further flight, unless already accomplished, replacing any affected 
blade with an airworthy blade. An airworthy blade is one that has a 
part number and a serial number that is not listed in the RBI document 
that is attached to each ASB listed in the Applicability section of 
this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

    This AD differs from the Transport Canada AD in that this AD only 
applies to those blades listed in the RBI document attached to the 
ASBs. The Transport Canada AD allows use of those ASBs or later 
revisions approved by the Chief, Continuing Airworthiness, Transport 
Canada.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this AD is being issued 
to prevent loss of the blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The short compliance time involved is required because the 
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the 
controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, replacing each affected 
blade with an airworthy blade is required before further flight, and 
this AD must be issued immediately.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters 
issued on December 8, 2010 to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
the specified helicopters. These conditions still exist, and the AD is 
hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to 14 CFR 
39.13 to make it effective to all persons.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 3,741 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and it will take approximately 2.0 work hours per helicopter 
to replace and track-and-balance any affected blade. At an average 
labor rate of $85 per work hour, this is a cost per helicopter of $170. 
The RBI letter contains a warranty statement which states that owners 
or operators of Bell helicopters ``who comply with the instructions in 
this bulletin will be eligible to return defective blades identified by 
serial number in the compliance section of this bulletin to your 
nearest RBI facility for inspection and repair at no cost.'' Based on 
these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $635,970.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-XXXX; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-SW-108-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 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 
with FAA personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our 
docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You 
may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).

Regulatory Findings

    We have 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
    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. See the AD docket to examine the economic evaluation.

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 products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2010-26-51 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
16587. Docket No. FAA-2011-0079; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-108-
AD.


[[Page 13061]]


    Applicability: Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 
222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters, with a tail 
rotor blade (blade) having a part number and serial number, 
installed, as listed in the Rotor Blades Inc. (RBI) document 
attached to the following Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service 
Bulletins (ASBs), certificated in any category:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             ASB No.                    Revision              Date                    Helicopter model
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
206-07-116.......................  B................  November 29, 2010..  206A and 206B Series.
206L-07-148......................  B................  November 29, 2010..  206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4.
222-07-106.......................  D................  November 29, 2010..  222 and 222B.
222U-07-77.......................  D................  November 29, 2010..  222U.
230-07-38........................  D................  November 29, 2010..  230.
407-07-81........................  B................  November 29, 2010..  407.
427-07-18........................  B................  November 29, 2010..  427.
430-07-41........................  D................  November 29, 2010..  430.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Compliance: Before further flight, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
    (a) Replace any affected blade with an airworthy blade. An 
airworthy blade is one that has a part number and a serial number 
that is not listed in the RBI document attached to each ASB listed 
in the Applicability section of this AD.
    (b) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, ATTN: Sharon 
Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations 
and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, 
telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961, for information about 
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
    (c) Special flight permits will not be issued.
    (d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is: 6410--
Tail Rotor Blades.
    (e) Determine the affected part number and serial number by 
referring to the RBI document attached to the following Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins, all dated November 29, 
2010:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Alert Service Bulletin No.                    Revision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
206-07-116................................................            B
206L-07-148...............................................            B
222-07-106................................................            D
222U-07-77................................................            D
230-07-38.................................................            D
407-07-81.................................................            B
427-07-18.................................................            B
430-07-41.................................................            D
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation 
by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Copies may be obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 
12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-
2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272, or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. 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 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 25, 2011, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Emergency AD 2010-26-51, issued December 8, 2010, which 
contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD CF-2007-21R1, dated November 30, 2010.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 14, 2011.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-4465 Filed 3-9-11; 8:45 am]
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