Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 206L-4 Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-SW-62-AD; Amendment 39-11203; AD 99-13-10]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)

Model 206L-4 Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

applicable to BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters, that requires replacing

certain hydraulic relief valves (valves) with airworthy valves. This

amendment is prompted by a pilot's report of intermittent hydraulic

pressure in the flight controls that was caused by a defective

hydraulic relief valve. The actions specified by this AD are intended

to prevent intermittent hydraulic pressure to the flight controls and

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective August 2, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of August 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir,

Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-3036, fax (514) 433-0272.

This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional

Counsel, Southwest Region, 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: Mark Flora, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,

Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort Worth,

Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5172, fax (817) 222-5783.

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 BHTC Model 206L-4 helicopters was

published in the Federal Register on March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11401). That

action proposed to require replacing certain valves with airworthy

valves.

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.

The FAA estimates that 78 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 approximately

$1,380. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $112,320 to replace the valve in the

entire fleet.

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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

to read as follows:

AD 99-13-10 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-11203.

Docket No. 98-SW-62-AD.

Applicability: Model 206L-4 helicopters, serial numbers 52001

through 52208, certificated in any category.

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

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise 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

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owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of

compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request

should include an assessment of the effect of the modification,

alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD;

and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request

should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required within 300 hours time-in-service, unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent intermittent hydraulic pressure to the flight

controls and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter,

accomplish the following:

(a) Remove hydraulic relief valve, part number (P/N) 206-076-

036-101, and replace it with an improved hydraulic relief valve, P/N

206-076-036-105, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions

in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-98-111,

dated July 24, 1998.

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

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office,

Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. 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

Sec. Sec. 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) Replacement of the valve shall be done in accordance with

the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert

Service Bulletin No. 206L-98-111, dated July 24, 1998. 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 Canada,

12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec JON1LO, telephone (800) 463-

3036, fax (514) 433-0272. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office

of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 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 August 2, 1999.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada

(Canada) AD CF-98-34, dated September 10, 1998.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 15, 1999.

Henry A. Armstrong,

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 99-15902 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]

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