This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

35773 

Vol. 78, No. 115 

Friday, June 14, 2013 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0486; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–031–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; MD 

Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

MDHI Model MD900 helicopters with 

certain main rotor blade (MRB) 

retention bolts (bolts) installed. This 

proposed AD would require a daily 

check of the position of each bolt and 

would also require a daily check and a 

repetitive inspection for a gap in each 

bolt. The proposed AD would also 

require, if necessary, removing and 

inspecting the bolt for a crack and 

replacing any cracked bolt with an 

airworthy bolt. This proposed AD is 

prompted by multiple reports of inservice bolt failures. The proposed 

actions are intended to prevent failure 

of a bolt, which could lead to loss of 

MRB structural integrity and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by August 13, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to 

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

online instructions for sending your 

comments electronically. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: Send comments 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 20590–0001. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the 

‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

Examining the AD 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 proposed AD, the 

economic evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Operations 

Office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in 

the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 

be available in the AD docket shortly 

after receipt. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact MDHI, Attn: 

Customer Support Division, 4555 E. 

McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, 

AZ 85215–9734, telephone (800) 388– 

3378, fax (480) 346–6813, or at http:// 

www.mdhelicopters.com. You may 

review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 

Worth, Texas 76137. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Roger Durbin, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 

Office, Airframe Branch, ANM–120L, 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 

90712, telephone (562) 627–5233, fax 

(562) 627–5210, email 

roger.durbin@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to participate in this 

rulemaking by submitting written 

comments, data, or views. We also 

invite comments relating to the 

economic, environmental, energy, or 

federalism impacts that might result 

from adopting the proposals in this 

document. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the 

proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. To ensure the docket 

does not contain duplicate comments, 

commenters should send only one copy 

of written comments, or if comments are 

filed electronically, commenters should 

submit only one time. 

We will file in the docket all 

comments that we receive, as well as a 

report summarizing each substantive 

public contact with FAA personnel 

concerning this proposed rulemaking. 

Before acting on this proposal, we will 

consider all comments we receive on or 

before the closing date for comments. 

We will consider comments filed after 

the comment period has closed if it is 

possible to do so without incurring 

expense or delay. We may change this 

proposal in light of the comments we 

receive. 

Discussion 

We propose to adopt a new AD for 

MDHI Model MD900 helicopters with 

certain bolts installed. This proposed 

AD is prompted by multiple reports of 

in-service bolt failures, which could 

lead to loss of the MRB structural 

integrity and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. Although these bolt 

failures have primarily occurred in the 

United Kingdom, it is possible that the 

failures affect MDHI Model 900 

helicopters in the United States. This 

condition, if not detected, could lead to 

loss of MRB structural integrity and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all known relevant 

information and determined that an 

unsafe condition exists and is likely to 

exist or develop on other products of the 

same type design. 

Related Service Information 

We have reviewed MDHI Alert 

Service Bulletin SB900–116R1, dated 

April 9, 2010 (ASB SB900–116R1), 

which supersedes ASB SB900–116, 

dated February 24, 2010 (ASB SB900– 

116). 

ASB SB900–116 specifies a repetitive 

check of the blade retention bolts, part 

number (P/N) 900R3100001–103 and 

900R3100001–105, for a gap and, 

depending on the outcome of the 

inspection, removing and inspecting the 

bolt for damage. The ASB also specifies 

a repetitive force check of each bolt, P/ 

N 900R3100001–103, and a torque 

check of each bolt, P/N 900R3100001– 

105. Lastly, the ASB specifies a daily 

preflight check of each bolt to examine 

the position of the bolt and for a gap, 

and, if any bolt has moved up or down 

or if there was no gap, removing and 

inspecting the bolt. 

Superseding ASB SB900–116R1 

retains the same specifications as ASB 

SB90016, except that it revises the 

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35774 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

interval for the bolt force and torque 

checks from 4–6 flight-hours to 8–10 

flight-hours. ASB SB90016R1 also 

revises the change of force or torque 

from not more than 10 percent to not 

more than ±10 percent. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

The proposed AD would require: 

• Before the first flight of each day, 

visually checking each bolt for failure 

and for a gap between the thrust washer 

and the retainer. 

• An owner/operator (pilot) may 

perform these visual checks and must 

enter compliance into the helicopter 

maintenance records in accordance with 

14 CFR 43.9(a)(1)–(4) and 

91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this 

check because it involves only a visual 

check for the position of the bolt and a 

check for a gap between the thrust 

washer and retainer and can be 

performed equally well by a pilot or 

mechanic. This authorization is an 

exception to our standard maintenance 

regulations. 

• If there is any indication of bolt 

failure or if there is no gap between the 

thrust washer and retainer, before 

further flight, removing and inspecting 

the bolt for a crack and replacing any 

cracked bolt with an airworthy bolt. 

• Within 300 hours time-in-service, 

and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

300 hours TIS, inspecting each bolt for 

a gap between the thrust washer and the 

retainer. 

Æ Determining if there is a missing Oring and installing any missing O-ring. 

Æ If there is no gap between the thrust 

washer and retainer, before further 

flight, removing and inspecting the bolt 

for a crack and replacing any cracked 

bolt with an airworthy bolt. 

Æ If there is a gap between the thrust 

washer and retainer, measuring the gap 

in two locations with a feeler gage. If the 

gap is too large, removing and 

inspecting the bolt for a crack, before 

further flight; and then replacing any 

cracked bolt with an airworthy bolt. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

This proposed AD uses the term 

‘‘inspect’’ when describing the action of 

inspecting a bolt for a crack and 

inspecting for a gap between the thrust 

washer and the retainer. The ASB uses 

the term ‘‘check.’’ 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 29 helicopters in the U.S. 

registry. We estimate that operators may 

incur the following costs in order to 

comply with this AD: The average labor 

rate is $85 per work hour. It would take 

about .5 work hour to do a gap 

inspection of each bolt. It would take 

about 1 work hour to replace a cracked 

bolt and the required parts would cost 

$800 at a total cost per helicopter of 

$928. 

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. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. 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, I certify 

this 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); 

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in 

Alaska to the extent that it justifies 

making a regulatory distinction; and 

4. 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 proposed 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. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new Airworthiness 

Directive (AD): 

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI): Docket No. 

FAA–2013–0486; Directorate Identifier 

2010–SW–031–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Model MD 900 

helicopters with a main rotor blade retention 

bolt (bolt), part number (P/N) 900R3100001– 

103 or 900R3100001–105, installed; 

certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

bolt failure. This condition could result in 

loss of main rotor blade structural integrity 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

(c) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by August 13, 

2013. 

(d) Compliance 

You are responsible for performing each 

action required by this AD within the 

specified compliance time unless it has 

already been accomplished prior to that time. 

(e) Required Actions 

(1) Before the first flight of each day: 

(i) Visually check each bolt for failure. 

Failure of a bolt may be indicated by 

movement of the bolt out of the bolt hole or 

by inconsistent extension of the bolt above or 

below the other bolts being inspected (a 

failed bolt migrates out of the bolt hole). 

(ii) Visually check for a gap between the 

thrust washer and the retainer, P/N 

900R2100009–101 or –103. The thrust 

washer is depicted as item 2 and the retainer 

is depicted as item 8 in Figure 1 to paragraph 

(e) of this AD. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 35775 

(iii) The actions required by paragraphs 

(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) may be performed by 

the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a 

private pilot certificate and must be entered 

into the aircraft maintenance records 

showing compliance with this AD in 

accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1)–(4) and 14 

CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 

maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 

121.380, or 135.439. 

(iv) If there is any indication of bolt failure 

or if there is no gap between the thrust 

washer and retainer, before further flight, 

remove and inspect the bolt for a crack. 


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35776 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

Replace any cracked bolt with an airworthy 

bolt. 

(2) Within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS), 

and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 

hours TIS, inspect each bolt for a gap 

between the thrust washer and the retainer. 

(i) Determine whether an O-ring is 

installed. Install any missing O-ring. 

(ii) If there is no gap between the thrust 

washer and retainer, before further flight, 

remove and inspect the bolt for a crack. 

Replace any cracked bolt with an airworthy 

bolt. 

(iii) If there is a gap between the thrust 

washer and retainer, measure the gap in two 

locations, 180 degrees apart, with a feeler 

gage. If the gap is more than 0.100 inch (2.54 

mm) at either location, before further flight, 

remove and inspect the bolt for a crack. 

Replace any cracked bolt with an airworthy 

bolt. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 

Certification Office, Airframe Branch (ANM– 

120L), FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your request to Roger Durbin, 

Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles 

Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe 

Branch, ANM–120L, 3960 Paramount Blvd., 

Lakewood, CA 90712, telephone (562) 627– 

5233, fax (562) 627–5210, email 

roger.durbin@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a 14 

CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 

14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that 

you notify your principal inspector or lacking 

a principal inspector, the manager of the 

local flight standards district office or 

certificate holding district office before 

operating any aircraft complying with this 

AD through an AMOC. 

(g) Additional Information 

MDHI Alert Service Bulletin SB900–116R1, 

dated April 9, 2010, which supersedes ASB 

SB900–116, dated February 24, 1010, neither 

of which is incorporated by reference, 

contains additional information about the 

subject of this AD. For service information 

identified in this AD, contact MDHI, Attn: 

Customer Support Division, 4555 E. 

McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 

85215–9734, telephone (800) 388–3378, fax 

(480) 346–6813, or at http:// 

www.mdhelicopters.com. You may review 

copies of the service information at the FAA, 

Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 

Worth, Texas. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component: 6210: 

Main rotor blade retention bolts. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 

2013. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14139 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1341; Airspace 

Docket No. 12–ASO–47] 

Proposed Establishment of Class E 

Airspace; Cleveland, TN 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM), withdrawal. 

SUMMARY: A notice of proposed 

rulemaking published in the Federal 

Register of March 6, 2013, to establish 

Class E airspace at Cleveland Regional 

Jetport, Cleveland, TN, is being 

withdrawn. Upon review, the FAA 

found that, for clarity, combining this 

proposed rulemaking with another 

proposal to amend existing airspace is 

necessary. 

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC. June 

14, 2013. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

Fornito, Operations Support Group, 

Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 

Administration, P.O. Box 20636, 

Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 

305–6364. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History 

On March 6, 2013, a NPRM was 

published in the Federal Register 

establishing Class E airspace at 

Cleveland, TN to accommodate new 

standard instrument approach 

procedures for Cleveland Regional 

Jetport (78 FR 14475). Subsequent to 

publication the FAA found that existing 

information for Bradley Memorial 

Hospital was omitted in the Cleveland, 

TN proposed rule. Also, there is another 

proposed rulemaking for Dayton, TN, 

with Bradley Memorial Hospital 

information. To avoid confusion this 

proposed rule is being withdrawn and 

will be combined with the Dayton, TN, 

proposed rulemaking. 

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71 

Airspace, Incorporation by reference, 

Navigation (Air). 

The Withdrawal 

Accordingly, pursuant to the 

authority delegated to me, the Notice of 

Proposed Rulemaking, as published in 

the Federal Register on March 6, 2013 

(78 FR 14474) (FR Doc 2013–05210.), is 

hereby withdrawn. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 40103, 40113, 

40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959– 

1963 Comp., p. 389. 

Issued in College Park, Georgia, on June 7, 

2013. 

Barry A. Knight, 

Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern 

Service Center, Air Traffic Organization. 

[FR Doc. 2013–14153 Filed 6–13–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

15 CFR Part 922 

[Docket No. 130403324–3376–01] 

RIN 0648–BC94 

Boundary Expansion of Thunder Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary 

AGENCY: Office of National Marine 

Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 

Service (NOS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Department of Commerce (DOC). 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

proposes to expand the boundary of 

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary 

(TBNMS or sanctuary) and revise the 

corresponding sanctuary terms of 

designation. The proposed new 

boundary for TBNMS would increase 

the size of the sanctuary from 448 

square miles to 4,300 square miles and 

would extend protection to 47 

additional known historic shipwrecks of 

national significance. A draft 

environmental impact statement has 

been prepared for this proposed action. 

NOAA is soliciting public comment on 

the proposed rule and draft 

environmental impact statement. 

DATES: Comments will be considered if 

received by August 13, 2013. Public 

hearings will be held at 6 p.m. in the 

following locations: 

• Monday, July 15—Presque Isle 

District Library, Rogers City Location, 

181 East Erie Street, Rogers City, MI 

49779. 

• Tuesday, July 16—Great Lakes 

Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W. 

Fletcher Street, Alpena, MI 49707. 

• Wednesday, July 17—Alcona 

County Library, Harrisville Branch, 312 

W. Main, Harrisville, MI 48740. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

on this document, identified by NOAA– 

NOS–2012–0077, by any of the 

following methods: 

• Electronic Submission: Submit all 

electronic public comments via the 

Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 

www.regulations.gov/ 

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