[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34104-34106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15794]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-48-AD; Amendment 39-12281; AD 2001-13-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 
205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412EP, and 412CF Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), for 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 
412EP, and 412CF helicopters. This AD requires removing each existing 
tail rotor counterweight bellcrank (bellcrank) retention nut (retention 
nut), replacing each retention nut with a zero hours time-in-service 
(TIS) retention nut; and follow-up inspections of installed retention 
nuts. This AD is prompted by an in-flight loss of a bellcrank due to 
failure of the retention nut. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the retention nut, which could result in 
the bellcrank migrating off the crosshead spindle, loss of tail rotor 
control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective August 1, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained

[[Page 34105]]

from Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 
76101, telephone (817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466. 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: Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5447, fax (817) 222-
5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD for BHTI Model 
205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters was published in 
the Federal Register on March 8, 2001 (66 FR 13858). That action 
proposed to require the following:
    <bullet> Removing the two existing retention nuts within 100 hours 
TIS or 90 days, whichever occurs first;
    <bullet> Installing a retention nut, part number MS14145L6 or 
MS17826-6, which is limited to a one-time installation;
    <bullet> Inspecting the corrosion preventive compound (CPC) coating 
of the retention nut for deficiencies;
    <bullet> Inspecting the retention nut for corrosion, mechanical 
damage, a crack, or looseness; and
    <bullet> Replacing each retention nut, when necessary.
    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.
    The FAA estimates that 423 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 2.5 work hours per 
helicopter to replace each retention nut and 0.5 work hour to inspect 
each retention nut once. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $7 per helicopter. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $155,241 to replace the retention nuts and inspect them 
once.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2001-13-01  Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-12281. 
Docket No. 2000-SW-48-AD.

    Applicability: Model 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412EP, and 412CF 
helicopters, certificated in any category.
    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the tail rotor counterweight bellcrank 
(bellcrank) retention nut, which could result in the bellcrank 
migrating off the crosshead spindle, loss of tail rotor control, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) For Model 205A-1 helicopters:
    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two 
existing retention nuts retaining the bellcranks, part number (P/N) 
212-010-709-001 or 212-011-705-001, and install zero hours TIS 
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with 
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 205-00-
77, Revision A, September 13, 2000 (205A-1 ASB). A used nut may not 
be installed.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing 
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and 
corrosion preventive compound (CPC) coating in accordance with 
paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 205A-1 ASB. 
Reapply the CPC coating if deficiencies are found in the coverage 
and protection of the area. Replace any retention nut with any 
corrosion, mechanical damage, a crack, or looseness with an 
airworthy new retention nut before further flight.
    (b) For Model 205B helicopters:
    (1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention 
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-011-705-001, and install 
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with 
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB 205B-00-31, Revision A, dated 
September 13, 2000 (205B ASB). A used nut may not be installed.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing 
paragraph (b)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC 
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the 205B ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if 
deficiencies are found in the coverage and protection of the area. 
Replace any retention nut with any corrosion, mechanical damage, a 
crack, or looseness with an airworthy new retention nut before 
further flight.
    (c) For Model 212 helicopters:
    (1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention 
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-010-709-001 or 212-011-705-
001, and install retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in 
accordance with paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 
212-00-107, Revision A, dated September 13, 2000 (212 ASB). A used 
retention nut may not be installed.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing 
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC 
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the 212

[[Page 34106]]

ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if deficiencies are found in the 
coverage and protection of the area. Replace any retention nut with 
any corrosion, mechanical damage, a crack, or looseness with an 
airworthy new nut before further flight.
    (d) For Model 412 or 412EP helicopters:
    (1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention 
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-011-705-001, and install 
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with 
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB 412-00-102, Revision A, dated 
September 13, 2000 (412 ASB). A used nut may not be installed.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing 
paragraph (d)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC 
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the 412 ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if deficiencies 
are found in the coverage and protection of the area. Replace any 
retention nut with any corrosion, mechanical damage, a crack, or 
looseness with an airworthy new retention nut before further flight.
    (e) For Model 412CF helicopters:
    (1) Within 100 hours TIS or 90 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, remove the two existing retention 
nuts retaining the bellcranks, P/N 212-011-705-001, and install 
retention nuts, P/N MS14145L6 or MS17826-6, in accordance with 
paragraphs (1) through (5) of the Accomplishment Instructions in 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB 412CF-00-10, Revision A, September 
13, 2000 (412CF ASB). A used nut may not be installed.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS after accomplishing 
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, inspect the retention nuts and CPC 
coating in accordance with paragraph (6) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the 412CF ASB. Reapply the CPC coating if 
deficiencies are found in the coverage and protection of the area. 
Replace any retention nut with any corrosion, mechanical damage, a 
crack, or looseness with an airworthy new nut before further flight.
    (f) 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.
    (g) 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.
    (h) The modifications and inspections shall be done in 
accordance with paragraphs (1) through (6) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the following Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert 
Service Bulletins: No. 205-00-77, Revision A, dated September 13, 
2000; No. 205B-00-31, Revision A, dated September 13, 2000; No. 212-
00-107, Revision A, dated September 13, 2000; No. 412-00-102, 
Revision A, dated September 13, 2000; or No. 412CF-00-10, Revision 
A, September 13, 2000, as applicable. 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, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76101, telephone (817) 280-3391, fax (817) 280-6466. 
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.
    (i) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 2001.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 13, 2001.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-15794 Filed 6-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U