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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 91-ASW-28; Amendment 39-9209; AD 95-09-06]

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model

206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 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. (BHTI) Model 206A, 206B,

206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters, that requires installing a

protective mechanical fuel valve switch guard on the fuel valve switch.

This amendment is prompted by reports of airmen inadvertently placing

the fuel valve switch to the ``OFF'' position. The actions specified by

this 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: Effective June 8, 1995.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of June 8, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 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. Lance Gant, Aerospace Engineer,

Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5141, 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.

(BHTI) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters was

published in the Federal Register on November 14, 1994 (59 FR 56436).

[[Page 21977]] That action proposed to require installing a protective

mechanical fuel valve switch guard on the fuel valve switch.

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, except for editorial changes.

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

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per

helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average

labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will 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 AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $311,520.

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:

95-09-06 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Amendment 39-9209. Docket

No. 91-ASW-28.

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

helicopters, certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority

provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This

approval may address either no action, if the current configuration

eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to

address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request

should include an assessment of the effect of the changed

configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no

case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair

remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

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, 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 2: 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.

(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Bell

Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB 206-90-54, dated May 31, 1990, and ASB

206L-90-67, Revision A, dated August 5, 1991. 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., Attention: Customer

Support, P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. 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 June 8, 1995.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 24, 1995.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 95-10589 Filed 5-3-95; 8:45 am]

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