[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33447-33448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15932]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-SW-80-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc. Model 369D, 369E,
369FF, 500N, and 600N Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) applicable to MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 369D,
369E, 369FF, 500N, and 600N helicopters. The AD would require replacing
the oil cooler blower bracket (bracket). This proposal is prompted by
three reports of cracked brackets. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a bracket, loss of
cooling of engine oil and transmission oil, and a subsequent forced
landing.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 23, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-SW-80-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Conze, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Blvd.,
Lakewood, California 90712, telephone (562) 627-5261, fax (562) 627-
5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY 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,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice 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 FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 98-SW-80-AD.'' 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. 98-SW-80-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
This document proposes the adoption of a new AD, applicable to MDHI
Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 500N, and 600N helicopters. The AD would
require replacing the bracket, part number (P/N) 369F5190-1 with an
airworthy bracket, P/N 369F5194-1. This proposal is prompted by three
reports of cracked brackets. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent failure of a bracket, loss of cooling of engine
oil and transmission oil, and a subsequent forced landing.
The FAA has reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin SB369D-196 SB369E-089
SB369F-076 SB500N-016 SB600N-012, dated April 28, 1998, which describes
procedures for removing affected brackets and replacing them with
improved-design brackets.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 500N, and 600N
helicopters of the same type design, the proposed AD would require
removing the bracket, P/N 369F5190-1, and replacing it with an
airworthy bracket, P/N 369F5194-1.
The FAA estimates that 100 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2.5 work
hours per helicopter to replace the bracket, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $225
per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,500.
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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
[[Page 33448]]
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 draft
regulatory 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 39--AIRWORTHINESS 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. (MDHI): Docket No. 98-SW-80-AD.
Applicability: Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 500N, and 600N
helicopters, with oil cooler blower bracket (bracket), part number
(P/N) 369F5190-1, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent failure of a bracket, loss of cooling of engine oil
and transmission oil, and a subsequent forced landing, accomplish
the following:
(a) Remove the bracket, P/N 369F5190-1, and replace it with an
airworthy bracket, P/N 369F5194-1.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office. Operators shall submit their requests through
an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment
and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 17, 1999.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-15932 Filed 6-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
