Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 Series Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 91-ASW-28]

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model

206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 Series Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of

comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI)

Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 series helicopters, that

would have required installing a protective mechanical fuel valve

switch guard on the fuel valve switch. That proposal was prompted by

reports of airmen inadvertently placing the fuel valve switch to the

``OFF'' position. This action revises the proposed rule by further

proposing to require the installation of a protective mechanical fuel

valve switch guard on an additional serial-numbered Model 206B

helicopter, and further proposing that the rule apply to certain

additional visual flight rule-equipped Model 206L-1 and 206L-3

helicopters. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to

prevent the fuel valve switch from being inadvertently placed in the

``OFF'' position, which could result in an engine failure and a

subsequent power-off landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 19, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket No. 91-ASW-28, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Room 663, Fort

Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location between

9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal

holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Attention: Customer

Support, P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601

Meacham Boulevard, Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lance Gant, Aerospace Engineer,

Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, ASW-170,

2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-

5141, fax (817) 222-5959.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number

and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All

comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing

date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested

persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 91-ASW-28.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of SNPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this SNPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 91-ASW-28, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Room 663, Fort Worth,

Texas 76137.

Discussion

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Bell

Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3

series helicopters, was published as a notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM) in the Federal Register on May 5, 1992 (57 FR 19265). That NPRM

would have required installation of a protective mechanical fuel valve

switch guard (switch guard) on certain serial-numbered BHTI Model 206A,

206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters. That NPRM was prompted by

reports of airmen inadvertently placing the fuel valve switch to the

``OFF'' position. That condition, if not corrected, could result in the

fuel valve switch being inadvertently placed in the ``OFF'' position,

which could result in engine failure and a subsequent power-off

landing.

Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has determined that

certain serial-numbered, visual flight rule (VFR)-equipped Model 206L-1

and 206L-3 helicopters were inadvertently omitted from the proposed

requirements of the NPRM. These certain serial-numbered, VFR-equipped

model helicopters should have a switch guard installed on the fuel

valve switch. The NPRM proposed adding a switch guard on those certain

serial-numbered model helicopters only if they were instrument flight

rule (IFR)-equipped. Also, the NPRM failed to propose that the AD apply

to Model 206B, serial number 914. This SNPRM adds that serial numbered-

helicopter to paragraph (a)(3). Additionally, this proposal makes

various other non-substantive editorial changes, including raising the

average labor rate from $55 to $60.

Proposing to expand the applicability of this AD to include other

serial-numbered rotorcraft expands the scope of the originally proposed

rule. Therefore, the FAA has decided to reopen the comment period to

provide additional opportunity for public comment.

The FAA estimates that 5,192 helicopters of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work

hour per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost

nothing for these helicopters since the manufacturer is providing full

warranty compensation for the parts. Based on these figures, the total

cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$311,520.

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules

Docket at the location provided under the caption ``ADDRESSES.''

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. 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:

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI): Docket No. 91-ASW-28.

Applicability: Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 series

helicopters, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent inadvertent placement of the fuel switch in the

``OFF'' position, which could result in an engine failure and a

subsequent power-off landing, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service after the effective

date of this airworthiness directive (AD), modify the fuel valve

switch to add a protective mechanical fuel valve switch guard as

follows:

(1) For the Model 206A, serial numbers (S/N) 1 through 153,

modify in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions

in BHTI Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-90-54, dated May 31,

1990.

(2) For the Model 206A, S/N 154 through 660 and 672 through 715,

and Model 206B, S/N 661 through 671 and 716 through 913, modify in

accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions in ASB

No. 206-90-54, dated May 31, 1990.

(3) For the Model 206B, S/N 914 through 4069 and 4071 through

4074, modify in accordance with Part III of the Accomplishment

Instructions in ASB No. 206-90-54, dated May 31, 1990.

(4) For the visual flight rule-equipped Model 206L, S/N 45001

through 45153 and 46601 through 46617, Model 206L-1, S/N 45154

through 45790, and Model 206L-3, S/N 51001 through 51319, modify in

accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions in BHTI

ASB No. 206L-90-67, Revision A, dated August 5, 1991.

(5) For the Model 206L-1, S/N 45154 through 45790, and Model

206L-3, S/N 51001 through 51319, equipped with instrument flight

rule kit, part number 206-705-001-101, installed per BHTI Service

Instructions No. 206-2030, modify in accordance with Part II of the

Accomplishment Instructions in ASB No. 206L-90-67, Revision A, dated

August 5, 1991.

(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, 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.

(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.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 3, 1994.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-27927 Filed 11-10-94; 8:45 am]

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