Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 222, 222B, and 222U Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-8562; AD 93-08-14]

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model

222, 222B, and 222U Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

is applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 222, 222B, and

222U helicopters. This action requires repetitive inspections for

cracks and, if necessary, replacement of the main rotor flapping

bearings. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in certain

flapping bearings in the main rotor system. The actions specified in

this AD are intended to prevent failure of the main rotor flapping

bearing, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of

the helicopter.

DATES: Effective April 6, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of April 6, 1994.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received by May

6, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

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

Rules Docket No. 93-SW-01-AD, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, room 663, Fort

Worth, Texas 76137.

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 FAA, Office of the Assistant

Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, room 663, Fort Worth, Texas

76137; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Major, Aerospace Engineer,

Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham

Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5117, fax (817)

222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness

authority for Canada, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 222,

222B, and 222U helicopters. Transport Canada advises that main rotor

flapping bearings, part numbers (P/N) 222-310-114-107 and 222-310-114-

109, may fail while in service due to cracks in the inside radius of

the main rotor flapping bearing (bearing) where the attachment bolts

secure the bearing to the yoke.

In 1987 the FAA issued AD 87-15-07, Amendment 39-5643 (52 FR 27191,

July 20, 1987) that in part required modification and reidentification

of certain bearings, P/N 222-310-114-003 and -105, as P/N 222-310-114-

107. Only bearings with radii above a certain size were eligible for

modification and reidentification. Those -003 and -105 bearings with an

undersize radius were not reidentified and may be in service. For this

reason, the -003 and -105 bearings are included in this AD action.

BHTI has issued Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222U-92-33 and 222-92-

60, both dated December 16, 1992 (ASB's), that specify visual

inspections of the bearings, P/N 222-310-114-003, -105, -107, and -109.

Transport Canada classified these ASB's as mandatory for bearings, P/N

222-310-114-107 and -109, and issued Transport Canada AD No. CF-92-24,

effective December 28, 1992, to assure the continued airworthiness of

these helicopters in Canada.

This helicopter model is now manufactured in Canada and is type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable

bilateral airworthiness agreement. Earlier BHTI Model 222 series

helicopters were also manufactured in the U.S. Pursuant to this

bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA

informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the

findings of Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design

that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type design

registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent

failure of the main rotor flapping bearings, loss of a main rotor

blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD

requires an initial and repetitive inspections of the four affected

bearings for cracks. It also requires immediate removal of any cracked

bearings. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance

with the ASB's described previously.

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.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves

requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by

notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on

this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments will

be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the

AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this

AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

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

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

to Docket Number 93-SW-01-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

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.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency

regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe

condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory

action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further

that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it, if filed, 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 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 the following new

airworthiness directive:

AD 93-08-14 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI): Amendment 39-

8562. Docket Number 93-SW-01-AD.

Applicability: Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters, equipped

with main rotor flapping bearings (bearings), part number (P/N) 222-

310-114-003, -105, -107 and -109, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent failure of the bearings, loss of a main rotor blade,

and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within the next 10 hours' time-in-service after the

effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed

10 hours' time-in-service from the last inspection, visually inspect

the bearings for cracks in accordance with paragraph 1 of the

Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable BHTI Alert Service

Bulletin Nos. 222U-92-33 or 222-92-60, both dated December 16, 1992.

(b) If a crack is found in the bearings, replace the affected

bearings with an airworthy part before further flight.

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

compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may

be used when approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,

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 Standards Staff.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR

21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The inspection and any necessary replacement shall be done

in accordance with the applicable BHTI Alert Service Bulletin Nos.

222U-92-33 or 222-92-60, both dated December 16, 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 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 6, 1994.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4, 1994.

James D. Erickson,

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-3756 Filed 3-21-94; 8:45 am]

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