AD 99-22-13

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to BHTC Model 407 helicopters, that requires visually inspecting the vertical fin (fin) for reduced skin thickness; repairing or replacing the fin, if necessary; and identifying fins that have been inspected or repaired. This amendment is prompted by a report of an inboard skin damaged during production. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect fin assemblies with reduced skin thickness which, if not corrected, reduce the strength of the skin and could lead to failure of the fin and loss of control of the helicopter.

Final rule

99-22-13 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA: Amendment 39-11391. Docket No. 99-SW-07-AD; Issued October 18, 1999.

Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, with vertical fin (fin) assembly, part number (P/N) 206-020-113-223A, -223B, or -223S, with a serial number with a prefix of "BP", up to and including 2266 (except BP2260, BP2262, and BP2265), 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 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 owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 100 hours time-in-service, unless accomplished previously.

To detect fin assemblies with reduced skin thickness which, if not corrected, reduce the strength of the skin and could lead to failure of the vertical fin (fin) and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Visually inspect the fin assembly for reduced skin thickness, indicated by notches, scratches, or grooves on the skin, in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions contained in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-98-17, Revision A, dated June 26, 1998 (ASB). If notches, scratches, or grooves are found, repair or replace the fin assembly in accordance with Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions contained in the ASB.

(b) Identify any fin that has been inspectedor repaired in accordance with Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions in the ASB.

(c) 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 a 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.

(d) 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.

(e) The visual inspection, repair or replacement of the fin, if necessary,and the identification of fins that have been repaired or replaced shall be done in accordance with Parts I, II, or III, as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 407-98-17, Revision A, dated June 26, 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.

NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada (Canada) AD No. CF-98-10R1, dated August 20, 1998.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 2, 1999.

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 407 helicopters was published in the Federal Register on August 2, 1999 (64 FR 41841). That action proposed to require visually inspecting the fin for reduced skin thickness; repairing or replacing the fin, if necessary; and identifying fins that have been inspected or repaired.

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 124 helicopters of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3.0 work hours to accomplish the visual inspection; 4.0 work hours to accomplish thevertical fin replacement, and 0.5 work hour to mark the fin, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $18,770. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,220 per helicopter, or a total of $2,383,280 for the entire fleet, to accomplish all the actions including replacing the fin.

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 nota "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.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows: