[Federal Register: October 28, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 208)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62085-62086]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28oc05-9]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 62085]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206B
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive
(AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 206B helicopters modified
with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW with energy attenuating seat
installation wire (wire). The AD would require replacing certain wire
with airworthy wire. This proposal is prompted by disclosure that
certain wires may not have the yield strength to allow seats to
attenuate energy during an emergency landing. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a seat to attenuate
energy during an emergency landing, which could result in occupant
injury.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 27, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically;
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590;
Fax: 202-493-2251; or
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P.O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee
37625-3689.
You may examine the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5177, fax (817) 222-
5783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to the address listed
under the caption ADDRESSES. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22806, Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the search
function of our docket Web site, you can find and read the comments to
any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent or
signed the comment. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the proposed AD, any
comments, and other information in person at the Docket Management
System (DMS) Docket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-
647-5227) is located at the plaza level of the Department of
Transportation NASSIF Building in Room PL-401 at 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
This document proposes adopting a new AD for Bell Model 206B
helicopters with AAI STC No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW. The AD would require
replacing wires that were manufactured or invoiced during a specified
time frame. This proposal is prompted by disclosure that certain wires
may not have the yield strength necessary to allow seats to attenuate
energy during an emergency landing. This condition, if not corrected,
could result in failure of a seat to attenuate energy during an
emergency landing resulting in occupant injury.
We have reviewed AAI Alert Service Bulletin No. AA-04107, Revision
B, dated April 8, 2005 (ASB), which describes procedures for
determining either the manufacture date or the installation date of
wires, part number (P/N) 157-13000-39, 157-13000-40, and 157-43000-61.
The ASB specifies replacing these part-numbered wires based on specific
manufacture or installation dates.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters with the same supplemental type design. Therefore, the
proposed AD would require within 60 days:
Determining the manufacture or invoice date of wires, P/N
157-13000-39, 157-13000-40, and 157-43000-61.
Replacing wire, P/N 157-13000-39 and 157-13000-40, with
airworthy wire if the manufacture date is within the range of dates
from September 1, 2001, through September 30, 2004, inclusive, or if
the manufacture date cannot be determined and the AAI invoice is not
dated before September 1, 2001.
Replacing wire, P/N 157-43000-61, with airworthy wire if
the manufacture date is within the range of dates from September 1,
2002, through September 30, 2004, inclusive, or if the manufacture date
cannot be determined and the AAI invoice is not dated before September
1, 2002. The actions would be required to be accomplished by
[[Page 62086]]
following the specified portions of the ASB described previously.
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 200 helicopters of
U.S. registry, and would take about 2 work hours per helicopter to
determine the manufacture and invoice date of the wires and to replace
the wires at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. The
manufacturer states in its ASB that they will provide the wire. Based
on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators would be $26,000, assuming the manufacturer provides the
wiring at no cost.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. Additionally, 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 above, I certify that the 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. 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 a draft economic evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the DMS to examine the draft economic
evaluation.
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.
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:
Bell Helicopter Textron: Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; Directorate
Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD.
Applicability: Model 206B helicopters modified with Aeronautical
Accessories, Inc. (AAI) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No.
SH8435SW or SH8419SW, with energy attenuating seat installation wire
(wire), part number (P/N) 157-13000-39, 157-13000-40, or 157-43000-
61, installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of a seat to attenuate energy during an
emergency landing resulting in occupant injury, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 60 days, determine the manufacture date or invoice
date of the wire.
(1) Before further flight, replace wire, P/N 157-13000-39 and
157-13000-40, with airworthy wire if the manufacture date is within
the range of dates from September 1, 2001 through September 30,
2004, inclusive, or if the manufacture date cannot be determined and
the AAI invoice is not dated before September 1, 2001. To replace
the wire, follow the Accomplishment Instructions, section I,
paragraphs 1 through 11, of Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. Alert
Service Bulletin ASB No. AA-04107, Revision B, dated April 8, 2005
(ASB).
(2) Before further flight, replace wire, P/N 157-43000-61, with
airworthy wire if the manufacture date is within the range of dates
from September 1, 2002, through September 30, 2004, inclusive, or if
the manufacture date cannot be determined and the AAI invoice is not
dated before September 1, 2002. To replace the wire, follow the
Accomplishment Instructions, section I, paragraphs 1 through 11, of
the ASB.
(b) 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 Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, for information
about previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 21, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21541 Filed 10-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P