[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31609-31610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15264]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-10-AD; Amendment 39-10576; AD 98-12-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 
407 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 
helicopters that requires shimming the tail rotor drive system bearing 
supports (bearing supports). This amendment is prompted by reports of 
cracked bearing hangar support arms in the area of the fillet radius. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
bearing supports, which could result in excessive tail rotor drive 
system vibration, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective July 15, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jurgen Priester, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
2601 Meacham

[[Page 31610]]

Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, (817) 222-5159, fax (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to BHTC helicopters was published in 
the Federal Register on April 1, 1998 (63 FR 15790). That action 
proposed to require shimming the bearing supports within the next 25 
hours time-in-service.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed except for small editorial change. The 
FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the scope 
of the AD nor increase the economic burden on any operator.
    The FAA estimates that 160 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per 
helicopter to accomplish the shimming of the bearing support, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $30 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $43,200.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

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

    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]

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

AD 98-12-22  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-10576. 
Docket No. 98-SW-10-AD.
    Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000, 
53002 through 53065, 53067, and 53069 through 53075, certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required within 25 hours time-in-service, unless 
accomplished previously.
    To prevent failure of the bearing supports, which could result 
in excessive tail rotor drive system vibration, loss of tail rotor 
drive, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Shim the tail rotor drive system bearing supports in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions contained in Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-97-7, dated 
February 27, 1997.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests 
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or 
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification 
Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The shimming shall be done in accordance with Bell 
Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-97-7, dated 
February 27, 1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 
JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272. 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 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 15, 1998.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
(Canada) AD No. CF-97-08, dated May 30, 1997.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 2, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15264 Filed 6-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U