Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2012 / Proposed Rules 5427 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0082; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–036–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell 

Helicopter Textron, Inc., Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This document proposes 

adopting a new airworthiness directive 

(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., 

(Bell) Model 412 and 412EP helicopters. 

This proposal would require creating a 

component history card or equivalent 

record and begin counting and 

recording the number of accumulated 

landings for each high aft crosstube 

assembly (crosstube). Also, this 

proposal would require installing 

‘‘caution’’ decals regarding towing of a 

helicopter at or above 8,900 pounds. 

This proposal would also require 

confirming the crosstube is within the 

horizontal deflection limits and 

replacing it if it is not. This proposal 

would also require a recurring 

fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of 

each crosstube and upper center support 

for a crack, any corrosion, nick, scratch, 

dent, or any other damage. This 

proposal would require repairing 

damaged crosstubes and upper center 

supports that are within acceptable 

limits, reworking crosstubes by bonding 

on abrasion strips, and replacing each 

unairworthy crosstube with an 

airworthy crosstube. This proposal is 

prompted by analysis of the crosstubes 

conducted as a result of recent field 

failures and corrosion problems of the 

affected crosstubes. The actions 

specified by this proposed AD are 

intended to prevent failure of a 

crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, 

and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 3, 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 

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, Texas 76101; telephone 

(817) 280–3391; fax (817) 280–6466; or 

at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. 

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: 

Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 

76137; telephone (817) 222–5170; email 

mike.kohner@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 

This document proposes adopting a 

new AD for the specified Bell model 

helicopters. This proposal would 

require creating a component history 

card or equivalent record and begin 

counting and recording the number of 

accumulated landings for each 

crosstube. Also, this proposal would 

require installing ‘‘caution’’ decals 

regarding towing of a helicopter at or 

above 8,900 pounds. This proposal 

would also require confirming that the 

crosstube is within the horizontal 

deflection limits and replacing it if it is 

not. This proposal would also require a 

recurring FPI of each crosstube and 

upper center support for a crack, any 

corrosion, a nick, scratch, dent, or any 

other damage. This proposal would 

require repairing damaged crosstubes 

and upper center supports that are 

within acceptable limits, reworking 

crosstubes by bonding on abrasion 

strips, and replacing each unairworthy 

crosstube with an airworthy crosstube. 

The affected crosstubes are the older 

non-anodized configuration and have 

had a service history of corrosion 

problems. In response to reports of field 

failures, Bell has completed a load level 

survey, material coupon testing, and 

additional analysis of the crosstubes. 

The results indicate that fatigue damage 

can occur during towing and landing. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in failure of a crosstube, collapse 

of the landing gear, 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 

these same type designs. 

Related Service Information 

We have reviewed Bell Helicopter 

Alert Service Bulletin No. 412–09–135, 

dated August 25, 2009 (ASB). The ASB 

specifies, within 6 months after 

receiving the ASB, for each affected 

crosstube, a recurring 12 month/2500 

landing FPI, a recurring 12 month/2500 

landing deflection check, and use of a 

towing retention kit per BHT–412–SI–58 

Gross Weight Towing Kit Provisions and 

Puller Equipment for helicopters that 

weigh 8,900 pounds or higher. 

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5428 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

compliance with specified portions of 

the manufacturer’s service bulletin. It 

would require for each crosstube: 

• Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), 

unless accomplished previously, 

creating a component history card 

or equivalent record and begin 

counting and recording the number 

of accumulated landings for each 

crosstube. Also, installing 

CAUTION decals regarding towing 

a helicopter that weighs at or above 

8,900 pounds. 

• Within 6 months, unless 

accomplished previously, and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

12 months or 2,500 landings, 

whichever occurs first: 

Æ Determining the horizontal 

deflection of each crosstube, and 

before further flight, replacing any 

crosstube that exceeds any 

maximum allowable deflection 

limit. 

Æ Removing and disassembling the 

landing gear assembly to prepare 

each crosstube for an FPI. 

Æ Cleaning and preparing the 

crosstube for the FPI by removing 

the sealant and paint. 

Æ Performing an FPI of each crosstube 

and upper center support for a 

crack, any corrosion, a nick, 

scratch, dent, or any other damage. 

Æ Repairing the crosstube if there is 

any corrosion, a nick, scratch, dent, 

or any other damage that is within 

the maximum repair damage limits, 

before further flight, or replacing 

the unairworthy crosstube. 

Æ If there is a crack or other damage 

beyond any of the maximum repair 

damage limits, before further flight, 

replacing the crosstube with an 

airworthy crosstube. 

• Before further flight, after doing the 

FPI, unless accomplished 

previously, reworking each 

crosstube by bonding abrasion 

strips on the under side of the 

crosstubes at BL 0.0 and BL 14. 

Also, recording on the component 

history card or equivalent record an 

‘‘FM’’ to the end of the part number 

sequence of each crosstube that has 

been reworked (for example, 412– 

050–011–107FM). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 115 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry. 

We estimate that operators may incur 

the following costs in order to comply 

with this AD. It would take about 1 hour 

to create a component history card or 

equivalent record and begin to 

determine and record the number of 

accumulated landings; 0.5 hour to 

install caution decals on the pilot and 

co-pilot side of each helicopter; 0.5 hour 

to measure the horizontal deflection of 

each crosstube; 3 hours to inspect and 

prepare the area and do an FPI on each 

crosstube; 4 hours to rework a crosstube, 

assuming 5 will need to be reworked; 

and 2 hours to replace a crosstube, 

assuming 3 will need to be replaced. 

The average labor rate is $85 per workhour and required parts for a 

replacement crosstube would cost about 

$9,315 per helicopter. Based on these 

figures, we estimate the total cost 

impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 

operators to be $79,030. 

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): 

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0082; Directorate 2010–SW– 

036–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron, 

Inc., (Bell) Model 412 and 412EP helicopters 

with a high aft crosstube assembly 

(crosstube), part number (P/N) 412–050–011– 

101, –103, –105, –107; or 412–050–045–105, 

installed, certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

failure and corrosion of the affected 

crosstubes. This condition could result in 

collapse of the landing gear and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Compliance 

You are responsible for performing each 

action required by this AD within the 

specified compliance time. 

(d) Required Actions 

(1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), 

unless accomplished previously: 

(i) For each crosstube, create a component 

history card or equivalent record. Begin to 

count and record the number of accumulated 

landings for each crosstube. For the purposes 

of this AD, a landing would be counted 

anytime the helicopter lifts off into the air 

and then lands again with any further 

reduction of the collective after the landing 

gear touches the ground. 

(ii) Install CAUTION decals, P/N 212–070– 

600–143, on the pilot and co-pilot sides of 

each helicopter as depicted in Figure 3 of 

Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 

412–09–135, dated August 25, 2009 (ASB), 

and by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part III—Towing, paragraph 1., 

of the ASB. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2012 / Proposed Rules 5429 

(2) Within 6 months, unless accomplished 

previously, and thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 12 months or 2,500 landings, 

whichever occurs first, determine the 

horizontal deflection of each crosstube from 

the centerline of the helicopter (BL 0.0) to the 

outside edge of each skid tube. Before further 

flight, replace any crosstube that exceeds any 

maximum allowable deflection limit 

contained in the maintenance manual. 

(3) Within 6 months, unless accomplished 

previously, and thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 12 months or 2,500 landings, 

whichever occurs first: 

(i) Remove and disassemble the landing 

gear assembly to prepare each crosstube for 

a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) by 

following the Accomplishment Instructions, 

Part I, paragraphs 1. through 9., of the ASB. 

Note 1: Abrasion strip, P/N 206–050–301– 

111; lower center support, P/N 412–050– 

007–101, with the incorporated Larson L101 

abrasion strip; and lower center support, 

P/N 604–026–003, if installed on any 

crosstube, P/N 412–050–045–105, or 

reworked crosstubes, P/N 412–050–011–101, 

–103, –105, or –107, are only removed if 

required by following the instructions in the 

ASB (see items 2, 5, and 6 in Figure 1 of the 

ASB). 

(ii) Clean and prepare the crosstube for the 

FPI by removing the sealant and paint in the 

area depicted in Figure 2 of the ASB by 

following the Accomplishment Instructions, 

Part I, ‘‘Cleaning and Preparation,’’ 

paragraphs 1. through 5., of the ASB. 

(iii) Perform an FPI of each crosstube and 

upper center support, P/N 412–050–006–101, 

for a crack, any corrosion, a nick, scratch, 

dent, or any other damage by following the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, 

‘‘Inspection,’’ paragraphs 1. through 3. of the 

ASB. Use Table 2 in the ASB to determine 

the appropriate Inspection Criteria Table to 

use in the maintenance manual, which list 

the maximum repair damage limits for each 

crosstube P/N applicable to this AD. 

(iv) Repair the crosstube or upper center 

support if there is any corrosion, a nick, 

scratch, dent, or any other damage that is 

within the maximum repair damage limits, 

before further flight, or replace the crosstube 

with an airworthy crosstube. 

Note 2: The repair procedures are specified 

in the Component Repair and Overhaul 

Manual. 

(v) If there is a crack or other damage 

beyond any of the maximum repair damage 

limits, before further flight, replace the 

crosstube with an airworthy crosstube. 

(4) Before further flight, after completing 

paragraph (d)(3) of this AD, unless 

accomplished previously, rework each 

crosstube P/N 412–050–011–101, –103, –105, 

or –107 by applying the bonding procedures 

and abrasion strips on the under side of the 

crosstubes at BL 0.0 and BL 14 by following 

the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, 

‘‘Rework of Crosstubes,’’ paragraphs 1. 

through 10. of the ASB. Record on the 

component history card or equivalent record 

an ‘‘FM’’ to the end of the part number 

sequence of each crosstube that has been 

reworked (for example, 412–050–011– 

107FM). Omit the Larson L101 abrasion strip 

at BL 0.0 on each crosstube when installing 

lower center support, P/N 604–026–003 (see 

item 6 in Figure 1 of the ASB). 

(e) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits for inspections only 

may be issued under 14 CFR 21.197 and 

21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location 

where the requirements of this AD can be 

accomplished. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOC) 

(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification 

Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Kohner, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft 

Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 

Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5170; 

email mike.kohner@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a Part 

119 operating certificate or under 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) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 3210, Main Landing Gear. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27, 

2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–2419 Filed 2–2–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1237; Airspace 

Docket No. 08–AWA–5] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Proposed Modification of the Atlanta 

Class B Airspace Area; GA 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

modify the Atlanta, GA, Class B airspace 

area to ensure the containment of 

aircraft within Class B airspace, reduce 

controller workload and enhance safety 

in the Atlanta, GA, terminal area. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before April 3, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001; telephone: 

(202) 366–9826. You must identify FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2011–1237 and 

Airspace Docket No. 08–AWA–1, at the 

beginning of your comments. You may 

also submit comments through the 

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul 

Gallant, Airspace, Regulations and ATC 

Procedures Group, Office of Airspace 

Services, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 

telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

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– 

2011–1237 and Airspace Docket No. 08– 

AWA–5) and be submitted in triplicate 

to the Docket Management Facility (see 

ADDRESSES section for address and 

phone number). You may also submit 

comments through the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

Commenters wishing the FAA to 

acknowledge receipt of their comments 

on this action must submit with those 

comments a self-addressed, stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to 

Docket Nos. FAA–2011–1237 and 

Airspace Docket No. 08–AWA–5.’’ The 

postcard will be date/time stamped and 

returned to the commenter. 

All communications received on or 

before the specified closing date for 

comments will be considered before 

taking action on the proposed rule. The 

proposal contained in this action may 

be changed in light of comments 

received. All comments submitted will 

be available for examination in the 

public docket both before and after the 

closing date for comments. A report 

summarizing each substantive public 

contact with FAA personnel concerned 

with this rulemaking will be filed in the 

docket. 

Availability of NPRMs 

An electronic copy of this document 

may be downloaded through the 

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

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