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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 13, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35306-35308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14401]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0601; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-033-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B 
helicopters with certain starter/generator power cable assemblies 
(power cable assemblies). This proposed AD is prompted by the 
determination that the power cable assembly connector (connector) can 
deteriorate, causing a short in the connector that may lead to a fire. 
This AD would require replacing the power cable assemblies and their 
associated parts, and performing continuity readings. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent a short in the connector that may lead to a fire in 
the starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit that reduces visibility, 
and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 13, 2012.

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

[[Page 35307]]

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 
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/. You may review 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: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
andy.shaw@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 the BHTI Model 205A, 205A-1, and 
205B helicopters with power cable assemblies, part number (P/N) 205-
075-902-017 and P/N 205-075-911-007. The AD would require replacing the 
power cable assemblies with airworthy power cable assemblies, P/N 205-
075-265-103 and 205-075-265-105S, and replacing associated parts 
included in the starter/generator cable kit, P/N CT205-07-94-1. After 
the power cable assemblies and associated parts are replaced, the AD 
would require performing a continuity test at the power cable 
connections using a multimeter. This proposal is prompted by the 
determination that the connector can deteriorate, causing a short in 
the connector P81 (J81) pins. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in a fire in the starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit that 
could reduce visibility, and subsequent loss of structural integrity 
and helicopter control.

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 these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    We have reviewed BHTI Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 205-07-94, 
Revision A, dated December 8, 2008, for Model 205A and 205A-1 
helicopters; and BHTI ASB No. 205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008, for 
the Model 205B helicopter. These ASBs describe procedures for replacing 
the power cable assemblies and associated parts. The ASBs specify that 
operators can obtain a starter/generator cable kit that contains the 
required replacement parts.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within six months, replacing the 
power cable assemblies and associated parts with airworthy parts 
contained in the starter/generator kit, and performing a continuity 
test using a multimeter. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished by following specified portions of the ASBs described 
previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 31 helicopters of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 10 work-hours per 
helicopter to accomplish at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost about $12,654 for the power cable assembly 
replacement kit. Based on these figures, the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators would be $13,504 per helicopter, or $418,624 for the 
fleet.

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.

[[Page 35308]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
Airworthiness Directive (AD):

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI): Docket No. FAA-2012-0601; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-033-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to BHTI Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters 
with starter/generator power cable assemblies (power cable 
assemblies), part numbers (P/N) 205-075-902-017 and P/N 205-075-911-
007 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the determination that the power cable 
assembly connector (connector) can deteriorate, causing a short in 
the connector that may lead to a fire. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent a short in the connector that may lead to a fire in the 
starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit that reduces visibility, and 
subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) 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.

(d) Required Actions

    Within six months, replace the power cable assemblies using the 
parts contained in starter/generator kit P/N CT205-07-94-1, perform 
a continuity test, and connect wires to the starter generator as 
follows:
    (1) For Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, follow the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2 through 16(c), of BHTI 
Alert Service Bulletin No. 205-07-94, Revision A, dated December 8, 
2008.
    (2) For the Model 205B helicopters, follow the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs 2 through 16(c), of BHTI Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 205B-08-50, dated December 8, 2008.

(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
andy.shaw@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.

(f) Additional Information

    For service information identified in this AD, contact 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/. You may review the information at the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

(g) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2497, electrical 
power system wiring.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 25, 2012.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14401 Filed 6-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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