[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3756]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 22, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-SW-01-AD; Amendment 39-8562; AD 93-08-14]
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model
222, 222B, and 222U Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Model 222, 222B, and
222U helicopters. This action requires repetitive inspections for
cracks and, if necessary, replacement of the main rotor flapping
bearings. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracks in certain
flapping bearings in the main rotor system. The actions specified in
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the main rotor flapping
bearing, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
DATES: Effective April 6, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 6, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received by May
6, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 93-SW-01-AD, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, room 663, Fort
Worth, Texas 76137.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101.
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Major, Aerospace Engineer,
Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5117, fax (817)
222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada, which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) Model 222,
222B, and 222U helicopters. Transport Canada advises that main rotor
flapping bearings, part numbers (P/N) 222-310-114-107 and 222-310-114-
109, may fail while in service due to cracks in the inside radius of
the main rotor flapping bearing (bearing) where the attachment bolts
secure the bearing to the yoke.
In 1987 the FAA issued AD 87-15-07, Amendment 39-5643 (52 FR 27191,
July 20, 1987) that in part required modification and reidentification
of certain bearings, P/N 222-310-114-003 and -105, as P/N 222-310-114-
107. Only bearings with radii above a certain size were eligible for
modification and reidentification. Those -003 and -105 bearings with an
undersize radius were not reidentified and may be in service. For this
reason, the -003 and -105 bearings are included in this AD action.
BHTI has issued Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 222U-92-33 and 222-92-
60, both dated December 16, 1992 (ASB's), that specify visual
inspections of the bearings, P/N 222-310-114-003, -105, -107, and -109.
Transport Canada classified these ASB's as mandatory for bearings, P/N
222-310-114-107 and -109, and issued Transport Canada AD No. CF-92-24,
effective December 28, 1992, to assure the continued airworthiness of
these helicopters in Canada.
This helicopter model is now manufactured in Canada and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable
bilateral airworthiness agreement. Earlier BHTI Model 222 series
helicopters were also manufactured in the U.S. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness 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.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type design
registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent
failure of the main rotor flapping bearings, loss of a main rotor
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD
requires an initial and repetitive inspections of the four affected
bearings for cracks. It also requires immediate removal of any cracked
bearings. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance
with the ASB's described previously.
Since 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.
Comments Invited
Although 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. Factual information 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.
Comments 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, both before and after the closing date for comments, 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.
Commenters 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 Number 93-SW-01-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The 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.
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 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
AD 93-08-14 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI): Amendment 39-
8562. Docket Number 93-SW-01-AD.
Applicability: Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters, equipped
with main rotor flapping bearings (bearings), part number (P/N) 222-
310-114-003, -105, -107 and -109, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the bearings, loss of a main rotor blade,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within the next 10 hours' time-in-service after the
effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed
10 hours' time-in-service from the last inspection, visually inspect
the bearings for cracks in accordance with paragraph 1 of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable BHTI Alert Service
Bulletin Nos. 222U-92-33 or 222-92-60, both dated December 16, 1992.
(b) If a crack is found in the bearings, replace the affected
bearings with an airworthy part before further flight.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may
be used when approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) The inspection and any necessary replacement shall be done
in accordance with the applicable BHTI Alert Service Bulletin Nos.
222U-92-33 or 222-92-60, both dated December 16, 1992. 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, Inc., P.O.
Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2601 Meacham Boulevard,
room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 6, 1994.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 4, 1994.
James D. Erickson,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-3756 Filed 3-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
