Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412 Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-SW-17-AD; Amendment 39-9980; AD 97-07-06]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412

Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing priority letter

airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron,

Inc. Model 412 helicopters, that currently requires a daily inspection

of certain swashplate support assemblies. It also requires a reduction

in VNE, and installation of appropriate airspeed indicator markings and

a placard. This amendment requires the same actions required by the

existing priority letter AD, but restricts the applicability to the

Model 412 helicopters with a certain steel main rotor control

swashplate support assembly (steel swashplate support assembly)

installed. This amendment also allows the installation of an improved

main rotor control swashplate assembly that terminates the requirements

of this AD. This amendment is prompted by reported cracking and in-

service failures of certain steel swashplate support assemblies. The

actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the

steel swashplate support assembly that could result in loss of main

rotor control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective May 9, 1997.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of May 9, 1997.

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 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. Charles Harrison, Aerospace

Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region, Rotorcraft

Certification Office, ASW-170, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone

(817) 222-5447, FAX (817) 222-5959.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding priority letter AD

92-03-13, issued January 31, 1992, which is applicable to Bell

Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 412 helicopters, was published in the

Federal Register on October 25, 1996 (61 FR 55231). That action

proposed to require a daily inspection of certain steel main rotor

control swashplate support assemblies, a reduction in VNE, and

installation of appropriate airspeed markings and a placard. It also

proposed an optional installation of an improved steel main rotor

control swashplate support assembly or an aluminum swashplate support

assembly, that, when installed, constitutes a terminating action for

the requirements of this AD.

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 with one change--a reference to a specific part of

a service bulletin was added for clarification. The FAA has determined

that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any

[[Page 16073]]

operator nor expand 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 20 work hours per

helicopter to accomplish the required actions, and that the average

labor rate is $60 per work hour. The aluminum swashplate support

assembly, P/N 412-010-443-101 or -109 costs $4,526. The steel

swashplate support assembly, P/N 412-010-453-105, costs $9,234. Based

on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $417,360, if all the swashplates in the fleet are

replaced with support assemblies, P/N 412-010-453-105.

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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

(AD), Amendment 39-9980, to read as follows:

AD 27-07-06 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.: Docket No. 96-SW-17-AD.

Supersedes priority letter AD 92-03-13, issued January 31, 1992,

Docket No. 92-ASW-31.

Applicability: Model 412 helicopters, with steel main rotor

control swashplate support assembly (steel swashplate support

assembly), part number (P/N) 412-010-453-101, installed,

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 (e) 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 failure of the steel swashplate support assembly that

could result in loss of main rotor control and subsequent loss of

control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,

and thereafter, before the first flight of each day, visually

inspect, with an inspection mirror and a bright light, the forward

and aft clevis areas of the steel swashplate support assembly, part

number (P/N) 412-010-453-101, in accordance with Part I of Bell

Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 412-92-57,

Revision A, dated January 30, 1992.

(b) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,

install a red radial arc on each airspeed indicator to prohibit

airspeeds above 110 knots. Near the pilot's airspeed indicator,

install a placard made of material that is not easily erased,

disfigured, or obscured that contains the following statement in

lettering that is 0.2 inch minimum in height: ``VNE not to

exceed 110 KIAS or VNE from the airspeed limitation placard,

whichever is less.''

Note 2: ASB No. 412-92-58, dated January 27, 1992, contains

information on the airspeed limitation.

(c) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace the

steel swashplate support assembly, P/N 412-010-453-101, with an

airworthy part.

(d) Installation of an improved steel swashplate support

assembly, P/N 412-010-453-105, or aluminum swashplate support

assembly, P/N 412-010-443-101 or -109, in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 412-92-61, dated May 14, 1992,

constitutes a terminating action for the requirements of this AD,

and the red radial arc on each airspeed indicator and the airspeed

placard installed as a result of this AD may be removed.

(e) An alternative method of compliance or an adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office.

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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

(f) 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.

(g) The inspections, installation, and replacement, if

necessary, shall be done in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron,

Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 412-92-57, Revision A, dated

January 30, 1992, or ASB 412-92-61, dated May 14, 1992, as

appropriate. 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, 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.

(h) This amendment becomes effective on May 9, 1997.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 14, 1997.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97-8426 Filed 4-3-97; 8:45 am]

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