Browse: Departments   Dates   Agencies  

CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39

Docket ID: [Docket No. 2003-SW-51-AD]

RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64

NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES

ACTION: Airworthiness directives:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters, Inc. Model 600N Helicopters

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 27, 2004.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the MD Helicopters, Inc. Model 600N helicopters. The AD would require replacing the fuselage Station 75 control support bracket assembly (control support bracket), reducing the life limit, and revising the Limitations section of the applicable maintenance manual to state the reduced life limits on certain serialnumbered helicopters. This proposal is prompted by information received from the manufacturer indicating that the fatigue life of the control support bracket is shorter than the original analysis indicated. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the control support bracket
[[Page 45292]]
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

SUMMARY: MD Helicopters, Inc.,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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 document 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, both before and after the closing date for comments, 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 proposal must submit a self addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 2003SW51AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Discussion

This document proposes adopting a new AD for MD Helicopters, Inc. Model 600N helicopters. The AD would require replacing the control support bracket assembly, part number (P/N) 369N260811, on helicopters that have a yaw stability augmentation system (YSAS) installed, with an airworthy assembly, P/N 600N26081. The revised time limits are dependent upon the time the YSAS was initially installed. Revising the applicable maintenance manual to state the reduced life limits would also be required. This proposal is prompted by information received from the manufacturer indicating that the fatigue life of the control support bracket is shorter than the original analysis indicated for those models in which a YSAS is installed. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the control support bracket and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA has reviewed MD Helicopters, Inc. Service Bulletin No. SB600N040, dated September 18, 2003, which describes the revised finite life for the control support bracket on certain serialnumbered helicopters, and requiring replacing them upon reaching the revised life limit, or no later than November 30, 2005, whichever occurs first.

This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type design. Therefore, the proposed AD would require replacing the control support bracket before it reaches a certain number of hours timeinservice, or no later than November 30, 2005, whichever occurs first.

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 13 helicopters of U.S. registry, and replacing the control support bracket would take approximately 40 work hours per helicopter to accomplish at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $5,617 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators would be $106,821 to replace the control support bracket on each helicopter in the fleet.

The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the economic evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety. The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39AIRWORTHINESS 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:

MD Helicopters, Inc.: Docket No. 2003SW51AD.

Applicability: Model 600N helicopters, serial numbers with a prefix of ``RN'' and numbers 025, 029, 032, 034 through 038, 040, 041, 045, 048, or 067; or, any Model 600N helicopter with a yaw stability augmentation system (YSAS) installed, and with a control support bracket assembly, part number (P/N) 369N260811, installed, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent failure of the fuselage Station 75 control support bracket assembly (control support bracket) and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the control support bracket, part number 369N2608 11, with an airworthy control support bracket assembly, P/N 600N26081, no later than November 30, 2005, or by the time the helicopter reaches the hours timeinservice (TIS) listed in the chart below, whichever occurs first:
Revised finite Helicopter serial number life (TIS) RN025................................................... 2556 RN029................................................... 2377 RN032................................................... 2498 RN034................................................... 2456 RN035................................................... 2243 RN036................................................... 2652 RN037................................................... 2544 [[Page 45293]]
RN038................................................... 2531 RN040................................................... 2562 RN041................................................... 2763 RN045................................................... 2015 RN048................................................... 2125 RN067................................................... 1600

Note: MD Helicopters, Inc. Service Bulletin No. SB600N040, dated September 18, 2003, pertains to the subject of this AD. (b) For helicopters with a YSAS installed that are not listed in the previous table, replace the control support bracket, P/N 369N260811, with an airworthy control support bracket, P/N 600N26081, no later than November 30, 2005, or by the time the helicopter reaches 1,600 hours TIS since the installation of the YSAS.
(c) For helicopters with no YSAS installed, but with a control support bracket, P/N 369N2608011, installed, replace the control support bracket, with an airworthy control support bracket, P/N 600N26081, prior to the installation of a YSAS.
(d) This AD revises the Limitations section of the applicable maintenance manual by reducing the life limit of the control support bracket assembly, part number 369N260811, to the life limits stated in paragraph (a) of this AD or to 1,600 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.
(e) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 14, 2004.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 0417223 Filed 72804; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 6275232, fax (562) 6275210.