Federal Register: November 15, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 221)
DOCID: FR Doc 00-29211
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39
Docket ID: [Docket No. 2000-SW-60-AD]
NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES
ACTION: Airworthiness directives:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Model 412 Helicopters
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 16, 2001.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 412 helicopters. The AD would require, within 25 hours timeinservice (TIS), reviewing the aircraft maintenance records and determining the number of landings for the high landing gear aft crosstube assembly (crosstube assembly); inspecting the crosstube assembly for damage; and replacing any unairworthy crosstube assembly. Additionally, the AD would require creating a component history card or equivalent record, and establishing a retirement life for each crosstube assembly. This AD would also require vibroetching a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) on certain cross tube assemblies. This proposal is prompted by reported field failures of crosstube assemblies. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect damage that could lead to a fatigue crack in the crosstube assembly, failure of the crosstube assembly, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter during landing.
SUMMARY:
Bell,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed 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 above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAApublic contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their mailed comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 2000SW60AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000SW60AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
This document proposes adopting a new AD for BHTI Model 412 helicopters. This proposal would require the following within 25 hours
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, Fort Worth, Texas 761930170, telephone (817) 2225447, fax (817) 222 5783.