Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Number 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2016)
Proposed Rules
Pages 27055-27057
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2016-10523
Page 27055
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
Docket No. FAA-2015-3821; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-025-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 75-26-05 for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 204B, 205A-1 and 212 helicopters. AD 75-26-05 currently requires removing and visually inspecting each main rotor (M/R) blade and, depending on the inspection's outcome, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This proposed AD would require more frequent inspections of certain M/R blades and would also apply to Model 205A helicopters. This proposed AD would have no requirement that helicopter blades be removed to conduct the initial visual inspections. These proposed actions are intended to detect a crack and prevent failure of an M/R blade and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 5, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3821; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Harrison, Project Manager, Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5140; email charles.c.harrison@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
On December 3, 1975, we issued AD 75-26-05, Amendment 39-2457 (40 FR 57783, December 12, 1975) for Bell Model 204B, 205A-1, and 212 helicopters. AD 75-26-05 requires, at intervals not to exceed 12 months installed time, visually inspecting the grip pad, grip plates, doublers, drag plates, and adjacent surfaces for voids, edge voids, corrosion, cracks, and adhesive squeeze-out along bond lines. AD 75-26-
05 prohibits returning to service any blade with a crack or an adhesive void exceeding certain limits. For damage within certain limits, the M/
R blade can be repaired, refinished, and reinstalled.
AD 75-26-05 was prompted by an evaluation of a cracked M/R blade that concludes that initial cracking resulted from corrosion. These actions were intended to detect a crack and corrosion and prevent further corrosion in the M/R blade inboard portion.
Actions Since AD 75-26-05 Was Issued
Since we issued AD 75-26-05, Bell has evaluated an M/R blade installed on a Model UH-1H helicopter with multiple fatigue cracks around the blade retention bolt hole. The cracks resulted from a void between the lower grip plate and the grip pad. A ``substantial'' void also was found at the outboard doubler tip on the lower blade surface. Different part-numbered M/R blades of the same type may also be installed on Model 204B, 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters. We have determined that more frequent inspections than those required by AD 75-
26-05 are necessary to detect cracking or certain damage. While AD 75-
26-05 requires removing the blades from the M/R hub, the inspections in this proposed AD would not. AD 75-26-05 applies to the Model 212 helicopter, and this proposed AD would not because similar inspections on Model 212 blades addressing the unsafe condition are required by AD 2011-23-02 (76 FR 68301, November 4, 2011). We are including specific part-numbered blades in the applicability so that the proposed AD would no longer be required if a new blade is designed that is not subject to the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type designs.
Related Service Information
Bell issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. UH-1H-13-09, dated January 14, 2013, for the Model UH-1H helicopter (ASB UH-1H-13-09). ASB UH-1H-13-09 specifies a one-time visual inspection, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), of the lower grip pad and upper and lower grip plates for cracks, edge voids, and loose or damaged adhesive squeeze-
out. ASB UH-1H-13-09 also specifies a repetitive visual inspection, daily and at every 150
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hours TIS, of the lower grip pad, upper and lower grip plates, and all upper and the lower doublers for cracks, corrosion, edge voids, and loose or damaged adhesive squeeze-out. Similar inspections are contained in Bell ASB No. 204-75-1 (ASB 204-75-1) and No. 205-75-5 (ASB 205-75-5), both Revision C and both dated April 25, 1979, for Bell Model 204B and 205A-1 helicopters, respectively. ASB 204-75-1 and ASB 205-75-5 call for daily inspections and for inspections, rework, and refinishing every 1,000 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require within 25 hours TIS or 2 weeks, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS or 2 weeks, whichever occurs first, cleaning the upper and lower surfaces of each M/R blade from an area starting at the butt end of the blade to three inches outboard of the doublers. The proposed AD also would require visually inspecting various M/R parts for a crack or corrosion using a 3X or higher power magnifying glass and a light.
If there is a crack, corrosion, an edge void, loose or damaged adhesive squeeze-out, or an edge delamination before further flight, this proposed AD would require repairing the M/R blade or replacing it with an airworthy M/R blade, depending on the condition's severity.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The proposed AD would require all inspections every 25 hours TIS or 2 weeks, whichever occurs first. ASB UH-1H-13-09 specifies a one-time inspection within 10 hours TIS, and then a second repetitive inspection daily and at every 150 hours TIS, while ASB 204-75-1 and ASB 205-75-5 call for daily visual inspections, and inspections, rework, and refinishing every 1,000 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD contains more detailed inspection requirements and a more specific inspection area than the instructions in ASB UH-1H-13-09. The service information applies to M/R blade, part number (P/N) 204-
011-250, and was issued for Model 204B and 205A-1 helicopters. The proposed AD also applies to P/N 204-011-200, because this blade is of the same type and susceptible to the unsafe condition. The proposed AD also applies to certain M/R blades installed on the Model 205A helicopters. While none of these models are registered in the U.S., they were included because of blade P/N eligibility.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 52 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates, we expect the following costs:
Cleaning and performing all inspections of a set of M/R blades (2 per helicopter) would require a half work-hour. No parts would be needed. At an estimated 24 inspections a year, the cost would be $1,032 per helicopter and $53,664 for the U.S. fleet.
Replacing an M/R blade would require 12 work hours and parts would cost $90,656 for a total cost of $91,676 per blade.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in ``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
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Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
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Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
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Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
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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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 Amended
0
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The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 75-26-05, Amendment 39-2457 (40 FR 57783, December 12, 1975), and adding the following new AD:
Bell Helicopter Textron: Docket No. FAA-2015-3821; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-025-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model 204B, 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters with a main rotor (M/R) blade, part number (P/N) 204-011-200-001 or P/N 204-011-250-(all dash numbers), installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in an M/R blade, which could result in failure of an M/R blade and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
(c) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 75-26-05, Amendment 39-2457 (40 FR 57783, December 12, 1975).
(d) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 5, 2016.
(e) Compliance
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(f) Required Actions
(1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 2 weeks, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS or 2 weeks, whichever occurs first, clean the upper and lower exposed surfaces of each M/R blade from an area starting at the butt end of the blade to three inches outboard of the doublers. Using a 3X or higher power magnifying glass and a light, inspect as follows:
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(i) Visually inspect the exposed areas of the lower grip pad and upper and lower grip plates of each M/R blade for a crack and any corrosion.
(ii) On the upper and lower exposed surfaces of each M/R blade from blade stations 24.5 to 35 for the chord width, visually inspect each layered doubler and blade skin for a crack and any corrosion. Pay particular attention for any cracking in a doubler or skin near or at the same blade station as the blade retention bolt hole (blade station 28).
(iii) Visually inspect the exposed areas of each bond line at the edges of the lower grip pad, upper and lower grip plates, and each layered doubler (bond lines) on the upper and lower surfaces of each M/R blade for the entire length and chord width for an edge void, any corrosion, loose or damaged adhesive squeeze-out, and an edge delamination. Pay particular attention to any crack in the paint finish that follows the outline of a grip pad, grip plate, or doubler, and to any loose or damaged adhesive squeeze-out, as these may be the indication of an edge void.
(2) If there is a crack, any corrosion, an edge void, loose or damaged adhesive squeeze-out, or an edge delamination during any inspection in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do the following:
(i) If there is a crack in a grip pad or any grip plate or doubler, replace the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.
(ii) If there is a crack in the M/R blade skin that is within maximum repair damage limits, repair the M/R blade. If the crack exceeds maximum repair damage limits, replace the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.
(iii) If there is any corrosion within maximum repair damage limits, repair the M/R blade. If the corrosion exceeds maximum repair damage limits, replace the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.
(iv) If there is an edge void in the grip pad or in a grip plate or doubler, determine the length and depth using a feeler gauge. Repair the M/R blade if the edge void is within maximum repair damage limits, or replace the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.
(v) If there is an edge void in a grip plate or doubler near the outboard tip, tap inspect the affected area to determine the size and shape of the void. Repair the M/R blade if the edge void is within maximum repair damage limits, or replace the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.
(vi) If there is any loose or damaged adhesive squeeze-out along any of the bond lines, trim or scrape away the adhesive without damaging the adjacent surfaces or parent material of the M/R blade. Determine if there is an edge void or any corrosion by lightly sanding the trimmed area smooth using 280 or finer grit paper. If there is no edge void or corrosion, refinish the sanded area.
(vii) If there is an edge delamination along any of the bond lines or a crack in the paint finish, determine if there is an edge void or a crack in the grip pad, grip plate, doubler, or skin by removing paint from the affected area by lightly sanding in a span-
wise direction using 180-220 grit paper. If there are no edge voids and no cracks, refinish the sanded area.
(viii) If any parent material is removed during any sanding or trimming in paragraphs (f)(2)(vi) or (f)(2)(vii) of this AD, repair the M/R blade if the damage is within maximum repair damage limits, or replace the M/R blade with an airworthy M/R blade.
(g) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Charles Harrison, Project Manager, Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5140; email 7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(i) Additional Information
Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. UH-1H-13-09, dated January 14, 2013, and ASB No. 204-75-1 and ASB No. 205-75-5, both Revision C and both dated April 25, 1979, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
(j) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210, Main Rotor Blades.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 15, 2016.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2016-10523 Filed 5-4-16; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
