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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-17-AD; Amendment 39-9022; AD 94-18-09]

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model

205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, and 412 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 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B,

212, and 412 series helicopters, that requires removal and replacement

of a certain design main transmission lower planetary spider (spider),

and establishes a 2,500 hours time-in-service retirement life for the

spider. This amendment is prompted by five failures of the spider that

occurred during the manufacturer's fatigue tests. The actions specified

by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the spider,

failure of the main transmission, and subsequent loss of control of the

helicopter.

DATES: Effective October 14, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of October 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth,

Texas 76101. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration, FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601

Meacham Boulevard, 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. Uday Garadi, Aerospace Engineer,

Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Fort

Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5157, fax (817) 222-5959.

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 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.

Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, and 412 series helicopters was published

in the Federal Register on January 5, 1994 (59 FR 555). That action

proposed to require removal and replacement of a certain design main

transmission lower planetary spider (spider), and proposed to establish

a 2,500 hours time-in-service retirement life for the spider.

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. However,

the FAA has added a sentence to paragraph (c) of this AD to make it

clear that the retirement life established is 2,500 hours time-in-

service; but, since this AD establishes a new retirement life, those

spiders with 2,400 or more hours TIS on the effective date of this AD

need not be retired until on or before the accumulation of an

additional 100 hours TIS. Additionally, the FAA aerospace engineer to

contact regarding this rule has changed since the issuance of the

notice and the AD has been changed accordingly. The FAA has determined

that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the

rule as proposed, with the noted 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 40 helicopters of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 26 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

$8,929 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of

the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $414,360.

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 94-18-09 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-9022.

Docket No. 93-SW-17-AD.

Applicability: Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, and 412 series

helicopters, with main transmission lower planetary spider (spider)

part number (P/N) 412-040-785-101, installed, certificated in any

category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent fatigue failure of the spider, that could result in

failure of the main transmission, and subsequent loss of control of

the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) For spiders with 2,400 hours or more time-in-service (TIS)

on the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), within

the next 100 hours TIS, remove and replace the spider with an

airworthy spider in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions

of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 205-

93-54, dated June 18, 1993, for the Models 205A and 205A-1; ASB

205B-93-16, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 205B; ASB 212-93-83,

dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 212; and ASB 412-93-72, Revision

A, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 412 helicopters.

(b) For spiders with less than 2,400 hours TIS on the effective

date of this AD, prior to or upon attaining 2,500 hours TIS, remove

and replace the spider with an airworthy spider in accordance with

the accomplishment instructions of the appropriate ASB referred to

in paragraph (a).

(c) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations sections of

the applicable helicopter maintenance manuals by establishing a

retirement life of 2,500 hours TIS for the spider. However, spiders

with 2,400 or more hours TIS on the effective date of this AD need

not be retired until on or before the accumulation of an additional

100 hours TIS.

(d) 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, Rotorcraft Certification Office,

FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate. 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: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

(e) 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.

(f) The removal and replacement of the spider shall be done in

accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin

(ASB) 205-93-54, dated June 18, 1993, for the Models 205A and 205A-

1; ASB 205B-93-16, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 205B; ASB 212-

93-83, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 212; and ASB 412-93-72,

Revision A, dated June 18, 1993, for the Model 412 helicopters. 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. Copies may be inspected at the

FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Boulevard,

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on October 14, 1994.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 30, 1994.

James D. Erickson,

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-21965 Filed 9-8-94; 8:45 am]

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