Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Proposed Rules 2607 

TABLE 1—INITIAL INSPECTION THRESHOLDS—Continued 

Appendix number of RR ASB No. RB.211– 

72–AG244, Revision 1, that identifies affected LP compressor blades by 

S/N 

Initial inspection threshold 

3B ................................................................... Blades shown in RR ASB No. RB.211–72–AG244, Revision 1 as fitted to engine serial number 

(ESN) 51039—802 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

ESNs 51146, 51177, 51145, and 51149—380 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

3C ................................................................... Blades shown in RR ASB No. RB.211–72–AG244, Revision 1 as fitted to ESNs 51001, 51137 

and blade S/N RGG16694—1,680 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

ESN 51145, 51149, 51150 and 51204—796 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

ESN 51160—1,160 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

3D ................................................................... Blades shown in RR ASB No. ASB RB.211–72–AG244, Revision 1 as fitted to ESN 51193 and 

blade S/N RGG20216—1,212 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

ESN 51200—1,237 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

ESN 51280—1,551 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

3E ................................................................... Blades shown in RR ASB No. RB.211–72–AG244, Revision 1 as fitted to ESN 51004, ‘‘na’’ and 

blade S/Ns RGG12590, RGG14081, and RGG15419—3,433 flight cycles after the effective 

date of this AD. 

ESN 51156—1,627 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

3F ................................................................... Blades shown in RR ASB No. RB.211–72–AG244, Revision 1 as fitted to ESN 51175, 51194, 

51201, 51205, and 51228—2,042 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

ESN 51264—4,309 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

ESN 51443—2,636 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

Blade S/N RGG15698—2,638 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. 

(2) Thereafter, perform repetitive UIs of the 

affected LP compressor blades within every 

100 flight cycles. 

(3) Use paragraph 3 of Accomplishment 

Instructions of RR ASB No. RB.211–72– 

AG244, Revision 1, dated January 26, 2010, 

and Appendix 1 of that ASB to perform the 

UIs. 

(4) Remove blades from service before 

further flight that fail the inspection criteria 

in Appendix 1 of RR ASB No. RB.211–72– 

AG244, Revision 1, dated January 26, 2010. 

(5) After the effective date of this AD, do 

not install any affected LP compressor blade 

unless it has passed the initial and repetitive 

UIs required by this AD. 

FAA AD Differences 

(f) This AD differs from MCAI European 

Aviation safety Agency (EASA) AD 2010– 

0097, dated May 26, 2010. The EASA AD 

uses calendar dates for initial inspection 

thresholds. This AD uses flight cycles. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(g) The Manager, Engine Certification 

Office, FAA, has the authority to approve 

AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 

procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Related Information 

(h) Refer to EASA AD 2010–0097, dated 

May 26, 2010, and RR Alert SB No. RB.211– 

72–AG244, Revision 1, dated January 26, 

2010, for related information. Contact RollsRoyce plc, P.O. Box 31, DERBY, DE24 8BJ, 

UK; telephone 44 (0) 1332 242424; fax 44 (0) 

1332 249936, for a copy of this service 

information. 

(i) Contact Alan Strom, Aerospace 

Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, 

Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 

01803; e-mail: alan.strom@faa.gov; telephone 

(781) 238–7143; fax (781) 238–7199. 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

January 10, 2011. 

Peter A. White, 

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–775 Filed 1–13–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–1301; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–008–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; MD 

Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model MD900 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This document proposes 

superseding an existing airworthiness 

directive (AD) for MDHI Model MD900 

helicopters. That AD currently requires 

turning on both Vertical Stabilizer 

Control System (VSCS) switches and 

turning off the autopilot (AP/SAS) 

switch; pulling certain AP/SAS circuit 

breakers; installing a placard near the 

AP/SAS master switch; installing an 

airspeed limitation placard on the 

instrument panel; and making changes 

to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). 

This action would retain those 

requirements and would provide an 

option of replacing each affected tube 

adapter with a newly-designed tube 

adapter, which would provide 

terminating action for the unsafe 

condition. This proposal is prompted by 

the manufacturer introducing an 

improved, newly-designed tube adapter. 

The actions specified by this AD are 

intended to prevent loss of yaw control 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before March 15, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to submit comments on this 

proposed AD: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• 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. 

• 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 proposed AD from MD 

Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer 

Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell 

Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215– 

9734, telephone 1–800–388–3378, fax 

480–346–6813, or at http:// 

www.mdhelicopters.com. 

You may examine the comments to 

this proposed AD in the AD docket on 

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2608 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Proposed Rules 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric 

D. Schrieber, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 

Certification Office, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Airframe Branch, 3960 

Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 

90712, telephone 562–627–5348, fax 

562–627–5210. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to submit any written 

data, views, or arguments regarding this 

proposed AD. Send your comments to 

the address listed under the caption 

ADDRESSES. Include the docket number 

‘‘FAA–2010–1301, Directorate Identifier 

2010–SW–008–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of the proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend the 

proposed 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 proposed 

rulemaking. Using the search function 

of the docket web site, you can find and 

read the comments to any of our 

dockets, including the name of the 

individual who sent or signed 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). 

Examining the Docket 

You may examine the docket that 

contains the proposed AD, any 

comments, and other information 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. 

Discussion 

On August 20, 2008, we issued 

Emergency AD (EAD) 2008–18–51, 

Directorate Identifier 2008–SW–50–AD, 

for Model 500N, 600N, and MD900 

helicopters. That EAD required several 

actions related to the Yaw Stability 

Augmentation System (YSAS) for the 

Model 500N and 600N helicopters and 

to the VSCS for the Model MD900 

helicopters. 

We issued superseding EAD 2008–18– 

52, Directorate Identifier 2008–SW–52– 

AD, on August 27, 2008. That EAD 

required, for Model 500N, 600N and 

MD900 helicopters, turning OFF the 

VSCS or YSAS switches instead of 

pulling the circuit breakers and 

installing placards that limit airspeed to 

100 KIAS or VNE, whichever is less. For 

the Model MD900 helicopters, the EAD 

also required limiting flight to VFR, 

prohibiting use of the autopilot, and 

making changes to the RFM. For all 

helicopters, the EAD required a 

terminating action of replacing each 

tube adapter with an airworthy tube 

adapter stamped with a date stamp of 

August 15, 2008, or later. 

After issuing EAD 2008–18–52, the 

replacement tube adapter failed on 2 of 

the Model MD900 helicopters. 

Therefore, we separated the AD actions 

and issued two superseding EADs: 

2008–22–52 for the Model 500N and 

600N helicopters and 2008–22–53 for 

the Model MD900 helicopters. Those 

EADS were published in the Federal 

Register as final rules; request for 

comments. AD 2008–22–52 (73 FR 

72326) was published on November 28, 

2008. AD 2008–22–53 (73 FR 73165) 

was published on December 2, 2008. 

AD 2008–22–53 does not include 

specific serial numbers in the 

applicability section because the unsafe 

condition can occur on any helicopter 

with an affected tube adapter installed. 

The AD also requires turning ON both 

VSCS switches to reduce pilot workload 

and to help control the helicopter if a 

tube adapter fails under normal flight 

conditions until the helicopter is on 

final approach. Also, AD 2008–22–53 

did not include a terminating action 

because the manufacturer had not 

determined the cause of the failures. 

Since issuing AD 2008–22–53, the 

manufacturer has designed a VSCS tube 

adapter to replace the existing tube 

adapter. Installing the newly designed 

tube adapter is optional but, if installed, 

would constitute terminating action for 

the requirements of this AD. 

We have reviewed MDHI Service 

Bulletin No. SB900–110R1, dated 

December 3, 2008 (SB), which specifies 

replacing each VSCS tube adapter, part 

number (P/N) 500N7218–1, with an 

improved tube adapter, P/N 

900C2010303–101, to prevent an 

uncommanded yaw of the helicopter. 

The SB specifies operating at a 

decreased speed until the newly 

designed tube adapters are installed. 

This previously described unsafe 

condition is likely to exist or develop on 

other helicopters of this same type 

design. Therefore, the proposed AD 

would supersede AD 2008–22–53, retain 

the current requirements, and require 

continuing to operate at a reduced speed 

until you replace each tube adapter with 

an improved tube adapter. 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 39 helicopters of U.S. 

registry. It would take about 5.5 hours 

to install the newly designed tube 

adapters and 0.5 hours for all other 

required modifications at an average 

labor rate of $85 per work hour. 

Required parts would cost about $244 

for 2 tube adapters. Based on these 

figures, we estimate the total cost 

impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 

operators to be $29,406, assuming both 

tube adapters are replaced on the entire 

fleet of helicopters. 

Regulatory Findings 

We have determined that this 

proposed AD would not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. Additionally, this proposed AD 

would 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 proposed 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 a draft economic 

evaluation of the estimated costs to 

comply with this proposed AD. See the 

AD docket to examine the draft 

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 

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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Proposed Rules 2609 

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, Safety. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, pursuant to the 

authority delegated to me by the 

Administrator, the Federal Aviation 

Administration proposes to amend part 

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 

(14 CFR part 39) as follows: 

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS 

DIRECTIVES 

1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. Section 39.13 is amended by 

removing Amendment 39–15756 (73 FR 

73165, December 2, 2008), and by 

adding a new airworthiness directive 

(AD), to read as follows: 

MD Helicopters, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2010– 

1301; Directorate Identifier 2010–SW– 

008–AD. Supersedes AD 2008–22–53, 

Amendment 39–15756, Docket No. 

FAA–2008–1251, Directorate ID 2008– 

SW–61–AD. 

Applicability: Model MD900 helicopters 

with a Vertical Stabilizer Control System 

(VSCS) tube adapter, part number (P/N) 

500N7218–1, installed, certificated in any 

category. 

Compliance: Required before further flight, 

unless done previously. 

To prevent loss of yaw control and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, 

do the following: 

(a) Turn ON both VSCS switches. 

(b) If installed, de-energize the autopilot 

(AP/SAS) as follows: 

(1) Determine if the AP/SAS trim actuators 

are centered. If the AP/SAS trim actuators are 

not centered, center them. 

(2) After the AP/SAS trim actuators are 

centered: 

(i) Turn the AP/SAS MSTR switch to the 

OFF position. 

(ii) Pull the following AP circuit breakers 

located on the A601 Essential Bus Circuit 

Breaker Panel, mounted in the cockpit 

console, and install a plastic cable tie on each 

circuit breaker to prevent accidental 

energizing of the circuit: 

(A) AP/SAS CMPTR (CB28), 

(B) AP/SAS DISC (CB29), and 

(C) AP/SAS ACCEL (CB30). 

(3) Install a placard next to the AP Mode 

Select panel that contains the AP/SAS MSTR 

switch stating ‘‘AP/SAS DEACTIVATED.’’ 

(c) Install a placard on the instrument 

panel as close as practicable to the airspeed 

indicator that states: 

‘‘AIRSPEED LIMIT 100 KIAS or VNE, 

WHICHEVER IS LESS. VFR FLIGHT ONLY, 

AUTOPILOT OFF.’’ 

(d) Make pen and ink changes or insert a 

copy of this AD into the Limitations section 

of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) to revise 

the limitations as follows: ‘‘VNE is limited to 

100 KIAS or less as determined by referring 

to the airspeed VNE placard already installed 

on the helicopter. VFR Flight Only, Autopilot 

OFF.’’ 

(e) Make pen and ink changes or insert a 

copy of this AD into the Limitations section 

of the RFM to revise the emergency 

procedures as follows: ‘‘If you experience an 

anti-torque system malfunction, turn both 

VSCS switches to OFF during final approach 

for a run-on landing.’’ 

(f) Instead of complying with paragraphs 

(a) through (e) of this AD, you may replace 

both VSCS tube adapters, P/N 500N7218–1, 

with airworthy VSCS tube adapters, P/N 

900C2010303–101. If you install VSCS tube 

adapters, P/N 900C2010303–101, and 

previously have complied with AD 2008–22– 

53, return the helicopter to its normal 

configuration by returning the switches and 

circuit breakers to their normal operating 

position, operationally testing the auto-pilot 

system, removing the two placards, and 

removing the revisions to the RFM pertaining 

to the airspeed limitation. Replacing both 

VSCS tube adapters, P/N 500N7218–1, with 

airworthy VSCS tube adapters, P/N 

900C2010303–101, and returning the 

helicopter to its normal operating 

configuration constitutes terminating action 

for the requirements of this AD. 

Note: MD Helicopters Service Bulletin 

SB900–110R1, dated December 3, 2008, 

which is not incorporated by reference 

containing additional information about the 

subject of this AD. 

(g) 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, Los Angeles 

Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Attn: Eric 

D. Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 

Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 562– 

627–5348, fax 562–627–5210, for information 

about previously approved alternative 

methods of compliance. 

(h) Copies of the applicable service 

information may be obtained from MD 

Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support 

Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop 

M615, Mesa, Arizona 85215–9734, telephone 

1–800–388–3378, fax 480–346–6813, or on 

the Web at http://www.mdhelicopters.com. 

(i) The Joint Aircraft System/Component 

(JASC) Code is 6720: Tail Rotor Control 

System. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 

28, 2010. 

Stefany James, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–726 Filed 1–13–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–1246; Airspace 

Docket No. 10–ANM–17] 

Proposed Amendment of Class E 

Airspace; Pueblo, CO 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

amend Class E airspace at Pueblo 

Memorial Airport, Pueblo, CO. 

Additional controlled airspace is 

necessary to facilitate vectoring of 

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic 

from en route airspace to Pueblo 

Memorial Airport. The FAA is 

proposing this action to enhance the 

safety and management of aircraft 

operations at the airport. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before February 28, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 

366–9826. You must identify FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2010–1246; Airspace 

Docket No. 10–ANM–17, at the 

beginning of your comments. You may 

also submit comments through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Western Service Center, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98057; 

telephone (425) 203–4537. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in this proposed rulemaking 

by submitting such written data, views, 

or arguments, as they may desire. 

Comments that provide the factual basis 

supporting the views and suggestions 

presented are particularly helpful in 

developing reasoned regulatory 

decisions on the proposal. Comments 

are specifically invited on the overall 

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 

environmental, and energy-related 

aspects of the proposal. 

Communications should identify both 

docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA 

2010–1246 and Airspace Docket No. 10– 

ANM–17) and be submitted in triplicate 

to the Docket Management System (see 

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