On September 29, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-20-18, Amendment 39-11930 (65 FR 62275, October 18, 2000), to require visually inspecting certain slat brackets for a crack and replacing any slat assembly that has a cracked bracket. Also, AD 2000- 20-18 required installing a newly designed slat assembly on each affected model before flight after December 31, 2000. That action was prompted by an incident in which a slat separated from a helicopter. That condition, if not corrected, could result in a slat separating, contacting a rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. \n\n\tSince issuing that AD and since installing the newly designed slat assembly, part number (P/N) 407-023-001-101 on affected helicopters, two additional cracked slat brackets have been reported. These occurrences are attributed to a design flaw and improper installation of the slat assembly. \n\n\tBell Helicopter Textron has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 407- 02-52, dated March 20, 2002 (ASB). The ASB specifies checking the slats for a crack in the bracket on certain serial-numbered helicopters and replacing the existing slat assembly with a further improved, airworthy, slat assembly on another serial-numbered group of helicopters. The ASB also specifies modifying certain existing slat assemblies for another group of serial-numbered helicopters and installing and marking identification plates after the segmented slat assemblies are installed on certain other helicopters. Transport Canada classified this ASB as mandatory and issued AD CF-2000-09R1, dated June 6, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada. \n\n\tThis helicopter model is manufactured in Canada and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the applicable bilateral 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. \n\n\tThis unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other BHTCL Model 407 helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, this AD supersedes AD 2000-20-18 and requires the following: \n\n\tWithin 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter before the first flight of each day: \n\n\tFor helicopters serial number (S/N) 53000 through 53498 and 53500 through 53503, check each slat for a crack at the radius of each bracket, P/N 206-023-119-109, -110, or 407-023-801-127, -128, or 407- 023-011-119, -120, or -121. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform this check. The pilot must enter compliance with this provision in accordance with 14 CFR 43.11 and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot may perform this check because it involves only a visual check for a crack in the bracket for the slat and can be performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. \n\n\tIf a crack is found, before further flight, replace slat assembly, P/N 407-023-002-117 or 407-023-001-101 with an airworthy, segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001-103. \n\n\t Replacing slat assembly, P/N 407-023-002-117 or 407-023- 001-101, with an airworthy, segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001- 103, is terminating action for the pilot check. \n\n\tWithin 300 hours TIS, but not later than December 31, 2002, for helicopters: \n\n\tS/N 53000 through 53498, replace slat assembly, P/N 407- 023-002-117 and 407-023-001-101, with an airworthy, segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001-103. \n\n\tS/N 53500 through 53503, modify each segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001-103. \n\n\t S/N 53504 through 53512, install and mark identification plates for each segmented slat assembly, P/N 407-023-001-103. \n\n\tThe actions must be accomplished in accordance with the ASB described previously. The short compliance time involved is required because the previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the structural integrity and controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, checking a certain group of slats for a crack at the radius of each bracket is required before the first flight of each day and must be replaced before December 31, 2002. Thus, this AD must be issued immediately. \n\n\tSince 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. \n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD will affect 289 helicopters and will require approximately: \n\n\t3.5 work hours to replace the slat assembly for 280 helicopters; \n\n\t3.5 work hours to reinstall the slat assembly for 4 helicopters; \n\n\t3/4 work hour to install and mark the ID plates for 9 helicopters;An average labor rate of $60 per work hour; and \n\n\t$5,657 for parts per helicopter. The manufacturer states that a 100 percent warranty credit is available for replacing the slat assembly if various conditions are met. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,644,005. \n\n\nComments Invited \n\n\tAlthough 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. Factualinformation 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. \n\n\tComments 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 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. \n\n\tCommenters 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 No. 2002-SW-38-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. \n\n\tThe regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. \n\n\tThe 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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\n\tAccordingly, 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: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-11930 (65 FR 62275, October 18, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), Amendment 39-12935, to read as follows: