[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62085-62086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21541]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 208 / Friday, October 28, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 62085]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206B 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 206B helicopters modified 
with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW with energy attenuating seat 
installation wire (wire). The AD would require replacing certain wire 
with airworthy wire. This proposal is prompted by disclosure that 
certain wires may not have the yield strength to allow seats to 
attenuate energy during an emergency landing. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a seat to attenuate 
energy during an emergency landing, which could result in occupant 
injury.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 27, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically;
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590;
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251; or
    <bullet> 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 proposed AD 
from Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P.O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee 
37625-3689.
    You may examine the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments 
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed 
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22806, Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed 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 proposed rulemaking. 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 or 
signed 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.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any 
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Management 
System (DMS) Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-
647-5227) is located at the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation NASSIF Building in Room PL-401 at 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    This document proposes adopting a new AD for Bell Model 206B 
helicopters with AAI STC No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW. The AD would require 
replacing wires that were manufactured or invoiced during a specified 
time frame. This proposal is prompted by disclosure that certain wires 
may not have the yield strength necessary to allow seats to attenuate 
energy during an emergency landing. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in failure of a seat to attenuate energy during an 
emergency landing resulting in occupant injury.
    We have reviewed AAI Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-04107, Revision 
B, dated April 8, 2005 (ASB), which describes procedures for 
determining either the manufacture date or the installation date of 
wires, part number (P/N) 157-13000-39, 157-13000-40, and 157-43000-61. 
The ASB specifies replacing these part-numbered wires based on specific 
manufacture or installation dates.
    This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters with the same supplemental type design. Therefore, the 
proposed AD would require within 60 days:
    <bullet> Determining the manufacture or invoice date of wires, P/N 
157-13000-39, 157-13000-40, and 157-43000-61.
    <bullet> Replacing wire, P/N 157-13000-39 and 157-13000-40, with 
airworthy wire if the manufacture date is within the range of dates 
from September 1, 2001, through September 30, 2004, inclusive, or if 
the manufacture date cannot be determined and the AAI invoice is not 
dated before September 1, 2001.
    <bullet> Replacing wire, P/N 157-43000-61, with airworthy wire if 
the manufacture date is within the range of dates from September 1, 
2002, through September 30, 2004, inclusive, or if the manufacture date 
cannot be determined and the AAI invoice is not dated before September 
1, 2002. The actions would be required to be accomplished by

[[Page 62086]]

following the specified portions of the ASB described previously.
    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 200 helicopters of 
U.S. registry, and would take about 2 work hours per helicopter to 
determine the manufacture and invoice date of the wires and to replace 
the wires at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. The 
manufacturer states in its ASB that they will provide the wire. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators would be $26,000, assuming the manufacturer provides the 
wiring at no cost.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, 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 above, I certify that the 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); 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 a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the DMS to examine the draft 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Bell Helicopter Textron: Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD.

    Applicability: Model 206B helicopters modified with Aeronautical 
Accessories, Inc. (AAI) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. 
SH8435SW or SH8419SW, with energy attenuating seat installation wire 
(wire), part number (P/N) 157-13000-39, 157-13000-40, or 157-43000-
61, installed, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of a seat to attenuate energy during an 
emergency landing resulting in occupant injury, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 60 days, determine the manufacture date or invoice 
date of the wire.
    (1) Before further flight, replace wire, P/N 157-13000-39 and 
157-13000-40, with airworthy wire if the manufacture date is within 
the range of dates from September 1, 2001 through September 30, 
2004, inclusive, or if the manufacture date cannot be determined and 
the AAI invoice is not dated before September 1, 2001. To replace 
the wire, follow the Accomplishment Instructions, section I, 
paragraphs 1 through 11, of Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. Alert 
Service Bulletin ASB No. AA-04107, Revision B, dated April 8, 2005 
(ASB).
    (2) Before further flight, replace wire, P/N 157-43000-61, with 
airworthy wire if the manufacture date is within the range of dates 
from September 1, 2002, through September 30, 2004, inclusive, or if 
the manufacture date cannot be determined and the AAI invoice is not 
dated before September 1, 2002. To replace the wire, follow the 
Accomplishment Instructions, section I, paragraphs 1 through 11, of 
the ASB.
    (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.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 21, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21541 Filed 10-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P