59636 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 197 / Thursday, October 13, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2005–22634; Directorate 

Identifier 2005–SW–12–AD; Amendment 39–

14335; AD 2005–20–38] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell 

Helicopter Textron Model 212, 412, and 

412EP Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

specified Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) 

model helicopters modified with 

Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI), 

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 

SH2820SO or that have the affected AAI 

Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) 

parts installed. This action requires 

inspecting a certain part-numbered 

reservoir assembly adapter (adapter) for 

the counter bore depth (dimension D). If 

the dimension D of the adapter exceeds 

.860 inch, before further flight, this AD 

requires replacing the reservoir 

assembly and adapter with airworthy 

parts. This amendment is prompted by 

a report of a rupture of an adapter 

during nitrogen charging because of 

inadequate wall thickness for the 

operating pressures. The actions 

specified in this AD are intended to 

prevent the rupture of an adapter, 

uncontrolled jetting of pressurized gas 

from the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent 

injury to occupants or damage to the 

helicopter. 

DATES: Effective October 28, 2005. 

The incorporation by reference of 

certain publications listed in the 

regulations is approved by the Director 

of the Federal Register as of October 28, 

2005. 

Comments for inclusion in the Rules 

Docket must be received on or before 

December 12, 2005. 

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to submit comments on this 

AD: 

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to http:// 

dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions 

for sending your comments 

electronically; 

• Government-wide rulemaking Web 

site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov 

and follow the instructions for sending 

your comments electronically; 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility; 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 

Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, 

Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590; 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251; or 

• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on 

the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 

400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, 

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

You may get the service information 

identified in this AD from Aeronautical 

Accessories, Inc., P. O. Box 3689, 

Bristol, Tennessee 37625–3689. 

Examining the Docket 

You may examine the docket that 

contains the AD, any comments, and 

other information on the Internet at 

http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. The Docket Office 

(telephone (800) 647–5227) is located on 

the plaza level of the Department of 

Transportation Nassif Building at the 

street address stated in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after the DMS 

receives them. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort 

Worth, Texas 76193–0170, telephone 

(817) 222–5177, fax (817) 222–5783. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

amendment adopts a new AD for the 

specified Bell model helicopters 

modified with an AAI STC SH2820SO 

or with AAI PMA reservoir assembly or 

adapter installed. This action requires a 

one-time inspection of the adapter 

counter bore depth. If the counter bore 

depth dimension exceeds .860 inch, this 

AD requires replacing the reservoir 

assembly and adapter with airworthy 

parts before further flight. This 

amendment is prompted by a report of 

a rupture of an adapter on a Bell Model 

412 helicopter during nitrogen charging. 

The assembly adapter ruptured, and the 

pressurized nitrogen gas jetted out of the 

nitrogen bottle in the helicopter and 

caused significant damage. The rupture 

occurred because the adapter had 

inadequate fracture strength because the 

counter bore was too large, which 

produced insufficient wall thickness for 

the operating pressures. This condition, 

if not corrected, could result in rupture 

of an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of 

pressurized gas from the nitrogen bottle, 

and subsequent injury to occupants or 

damage to the helicopter. 

We have reviewed AAI Alert Service 

Bulletin No. AA–05005, Revision A, 

dated June 27, 2005 (ASB), for Bell 

Model 212/412/412EP helicopters with 

the reservoir assembly, part number (P/ 

N) 212–372–050, and the adapter, P/N 

212–371–002, installed. The ASB 

describes procedures for discharging the 

floatation system, inspecting the counter 

bore depth of the adapter (dimension D), 

recharging the floatation system, and 

specifies replacing the assembly and 

adapter if the dimension D exceeds .860. 

The ASB states that the adapter located 

between the neck of the reservoir 

assembly and the inflation valve may 

have been manufactured incorrectly 

resulting in a weakened condition that 

could lead to the rupture of the adapter 

fitting while under pressure. 

This unsafe condition is likely to exist 

or develop on other helicopters of the 

same type designs modified with AAI 

STC SH2820SO or that has the affected 

PMA P/N installed. Therefore, this AD 

is being issued to prevent the rupture of 

an adapter, uncontrolled jetting of 

pressurized gas from the nitrogen bottle, 

and subsequent injury to occupants or 

damage to the helicopter. This AD 

requires the following: 

• Within 24 hours time-in-service 

(TIS) or before the next emergency 

floatation supply bottle nitrogen 

charging, whichever occurs first, for the 

reservoir assembly, P/N 212–372–050, 

and the adapter, P/N 212–371–002, do 

the following: 

• Discharge the nitrogen from the 

reservoir assembly. 

• Remove the valve assembly and air 

line from the adapter, and inspect the 

dimension D. 

• If the dimension D does not exceed 

.860 inch, recharge the floatation 

system. 

• If the dimension D exceeds .860 

inch, before further flight, replace the 

reservoir assembly and the adapter with 

airworthy parts. 

Accomplish the actions in accordance 

with the specified portions of the 

service bulletin described previously. 

The short compliance time involved is 

required because the previously 

described critical unsafe condition can 

damage the helicopter and injure its 

occupants as well as render the 

floatation system inoperative. Therefore, 

inspecting the counter bore depth of the 

adapter is required within 24 hours TIS 

or before the next emergency floatation 

supply bottle nitrogen charging, 

whichever occurs first. Because this is a 

very short compliance time, this AD 

must be issued immediately. 

Since a situation exists that requires 

the immediate adoption of this 

regulation, it is found that notice and 

opportunity for prior public comment 

hereon are impracticable, and that good 

cause exists for making this amendment 

effective in less than 30 days. 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 197 / Thursday, October 13, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 59637 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

100 helicopters. Discharging the system, 

inspecting the dimension D of the 

adapter, replacing the reservoir 

assembly and adapter, and recharging 

the system will take about 2 work hours 

at an average labor rate of $65 per work 

hour. Required parts will cost about 

$5095 to replace the reservoir assembly 

and adapter per helicopter. Based on 

these figures, we estimate the total cost 

impact of the AD on U.S. operators to 

be $522,500, assuming the reservoir 

assembly and adapter must be replaced 

on the entire fleet. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements that affect flight safety and 

was not preceded by notice and an 

opportunity for public comment; 

however, we invite you to submit any 

written data, views, or arguments 

regarding this AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under ADDRESSES. 

Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2005–22634; 

Directorate Identifier 2005–SW–12–AD’’

at the beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

the AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend the AD in light of those 

comments. We will post all comments 

we receive, without change, to http:// 

dms.dot.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. We will also 

post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact with FAA 

personnel concerning this AD. Using the 

search function of our docket Web site, 

you can find and read the comments to 

any of our dockets, including the name 

of the individual who sent the 

comment. You may review the DOT’s 

complete Privacy Act Statement in the 

Federal Register published on April 11, 

2000 (65 FR 19477–78), or you may visit 

http://dms.dot.gov. 

Regulatory Findings 

We have determined that this AD will 

not have federalism implications under 

Executive Order 13132. This AD 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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify that the 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); 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. 

We prepared an economic evaluation 

of the estimated costs to comply with 

this AD. See the DMS to examine the 

economic evaluation. 

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. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding 

a new airworthiness directive to read as 

follows: 

2005–20–38 Bell Helicopter Textron: 

Amendment 39–14335. Docket No. FAA–

2005–22634; Directorate Identifier 2005–SW–

12–AD. 

Applicability 

Model 212, 412, and 412EP helicopters 

modified with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. 

(AAI), Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 

SH2820SO; or with AAI Parts Manufacturer 

Approval (PMA) reservoir assembly, part 

number (P/N) 212–372–050; or with adapter, 

P/N 212–371–002, installed, certificated in 

any category. 

Compliance 

Required as indicated, unless 

accomplished previously. 

To prevent rupture of an adapter, 

uncontrolled jetting of pressurized gas from 

the nitrogen bottle, and subsequent injury to 

occupants or damage to the helicopter, 

accomplish the following: 

(a) Within the next 24 hours time-inservice (TIS) or before the next emergency 

floatation supply bottle nitrogen charging, 

whichever occurs first, do the following: 

(1) Vent the nitrogen from the reservoir 

assembly by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part II—Floatation System 

Discharging, of AAI Alert Service Bulletin 

ASB No. AA–05005, Revision A, dated June 

27, 2005 (ASB). 

(2) Remove the valve assembly and air line 

from the adapter, and inspect the counter 

bore depth (dimension D) as shown in Figure 

1 of the ASB. 

(i) If dimension D, as depicted in Figure 1 

of the ASB, does not exceed .860 inch, 

recharge the floatation system by following 

the Accomplishment Instructions, Part III—

Floatation System Charging, and referring to 

Figures 2 and 3 of the ASB. 

(ii) If dimension D, as depicted in Figure 

1 of the ASB, exceeds .860 inch, replace the 

reservoir assembly and the adapter with 

airworthy parts before further flight. 

(b) To request a different method of 

compliance or a different compliance time 

for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 

39.19. Contact the Rotorcraft Certification 

Office, FAA, for information about 

previously approved alternative methods of 

compliance. 

(c) Discharging and recharging the 

floatation system and inspecting the counter 

bore depth dimension of the adapter shall be 

done in accordance with the specified 

portions of Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. 

Alert Service Bulletin No. AA–05005, 

Revision A, dated June 27, 2005. The Director 

of the Federal Register approved this 

incorporation by reference in accordance 

with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

Copies may be obtained from Aeronautical 

Accessories, Inc., P. O. Box 3689, Bristol, 

Tennessee 37625–3689. Copies may be 

inspected at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go 

to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

(d) This amendment becomes effective on 

October 28, 2005. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 

30, 2005. 

Scott A. Horn, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 05–20324 Filed 10–12–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P