Airworthiness Directives; Schweizer Aircraft Corporation and Hughes Helicopters, Inc. Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH55A Series Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-05-AD; Amendment 39-8994; AD 94-16-04]

Airworthiness Directives; Schweizer Aircraft Corporation and

Hughes Helicopters, Inc. Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH55A

Series Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to Schweizer Aircraft Corporation and Hughes Helicopters,

Inc. Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH55A series helicopters, that

requires a one-time visual inspection to detect missing or damaged tail

rotor pedal bulkhead gussets (gussets), loose or missing gusset rivets,

and initial installation of missing gussets or replacement of damaged

gussets and rivets, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports

of missing or damaged tail rotor pedal bulkhead gussets and loose or

missing gusset rivets. The actions specified by this AD are intended to

prevent failure of the tail rotor pedal support structure that could

result in loss of tail rotor control and subsequent loss of control of

the helicopter.

DATES: Effective October 5, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of October 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 147, Elmira, New

York 14902. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 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. Jeff Casale, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, ANE-172,

New England Region, 181 S. Franklin Avenue, Valley Stream, New York

11581, telephone (516) 791-6220, fax (516) 791-9024.

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 Schweizer Aircraft Corporation and

Hughes Helicopters, Inc. Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH55A

series helicopters was published in the Federal Register on May 3, 1993

(58 FR 26264). That action proposed to require, within the next 100

hours' time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, a one-time

visual inspection to detect missing or cracked gussets, elongated rivet

holes, and loose or missing rivets. Also proposed, before further

flight, was the initial installation of any missing gussets or

replacement of cracked gussets, gussets with elongated rivet holes, or

gussets that contain loose or missing rivets.

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 with only editorial changes. The FAA

has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic

burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

The FAA estimates that 934 helicopters of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per

helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average

labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately

$80 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of

the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $177,460.

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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive

to read as follows:

AD 94-16-04 Schweizer Aircraft Corporation and Hughes Helicopters,

Inc.: Amendment 39-8994. Docket Number 93-SW-05-AD.

Applicability: Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH55A series

helicopters, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously. To prevent failure of the tail rotor pedal support

structure that could result in loss of tail rotor control and

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 100 hours' time-in-service after the effective date

of this AD, conduct a visual inspection of the tail rotor pedal

bulkhead gussets (gussets) to detect missing or cracked gussets,

elongated rivet holes, and loose or missing rivets, in accordance

with Part I of Schweizer Service Bulletin B-247 (SB), dated October

30, 1992.

(1) If the gussets are missing, before further flight, install

gussets in accordance with Part II of the SB, dated October 30,

1992.

(2) If the gussets are cracked or contain elongated rivet holes,

before further flight, install replacement gussets in accordance

with Part III of the SB, dated October 30, 1992.

(3) If the gussets contain loose or missing rivets, before

further flight, install new (zero time) rivets in accordance with

Part III of the SB, dated October 30, 1992.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used when approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification

Office, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA

Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then

send it to the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the New York Aircraft 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 inspection and replacement, if necessary, shall be done

in accordance with Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin

B-247, dated October 30, 1992. 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

Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 147, Elmira, New York

14902. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Assistant

Chief Counsel, 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 October 5, 1994.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 28, 1994.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-20661 Filed 8-30-94; 8:45 am]

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