80_FR_32618 80 FR 32508 - Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc.

80 FR 32508 - Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 110 (June 9, 2015)

Page Range32508-32510
FR Document2015-13853

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 500N and 600N helicopters with certain rotating cone assemblies installed. This proposed AD would require establishing a life limit of 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) on these rotating cone assemblies. This proposed AD is prompted by the determination that MDHI created rotating cone assemblies with new dash numbers but incorrectly failed to identify them as life-limited parts. The proposed actions are intended to prevent operation of rotating cone assemblies past their life limits, failure of the rotating cone assemblies, loss of directional control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32508-32510]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1998; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-035-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD 
Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 500N and 600N helicopters with certain 
rotating cone assemblies installed. This proposed AD would require 
establishing a life limit of 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) on 
these rotating cone assemblies. This proposed AD is prompted by the 
determination that MDHI created rotating cone assemblies with new dash 
numbers but incorrectly failed to identify them as life-limited parts. 
The proposed actions are intended to prevent operation of rotating cone 
assemblies past their life limits, failure of the rotating cone 
assemblies, loss of directional control, and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 10, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact MD 
Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell 
Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 1-800-388-3378; fax 
480-346-6813; or at http://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 562-
627-5324; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any

[[Page 32509]]

recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket 
does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one 
copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, 
commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    We propose to adopt a new AD for MDHI Model 500N helicopters with a 
rotating cone assembly part number (P/N) 500N3740-81 installed and 
Model 600N helicopters with a rotating cone assembly P/N 500N3740-71 
installed. This proposed AD would require establishing a new life limit 
for these part-numbered rotating cone assemblies. This proposed AD is 
prompted by the determination that MDHI created rotating cone 
assemblies with new dash numbers and did not identify them as life-
limited parts. Although these parts have a life limit of 10,000 hours 
TIS, they were incorrectly omitted from the Airworthiness Limitation 
Section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. MDHI reports that some of the 
affected parts were sold as spares while others were installed on new 
helicopters in production.
    The proposed actions are intended to prevent a rotating cone 
assembly remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. This condition 
could result in failure of the rotating cone assembly and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    MDHI issued Service Bulletin SB500N-046 and SB600N-054 (SB) as a 
single bulletin on July 9, 2012. The SB calls for a one-time inspection 
within 100 flight hours to determine the rotating cone assembly's part 
number on MDHI Model 500N and 600N helicopters. The SB then states to 
correct the component record for certain rotating cone assemblies.
    The SB also specifies determining the rotating cone assembly's 
total service time since new and recording this on the component 
record. MDHI reports that failure to comply with the SB may result in 
an aircraft exceeding the life limit of the rotating cone assembly and 
that this could lead to component failure and loss of directional 
control of the helicopter.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require within 1 year or at the next annual 
inspection, whichever comes later:
     Creating a component history card or equivalent record for 
the rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 or P/N 500N3740-71, 
whichever applies to your helicopter, and recording a life limit of 
10,000 hours TIS.
     Revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
applicable maintenance manual or the Instruction for Continued 
Airworthiness by establishing a new retirement life of 10,000 hours TIS 
for each rotating cone assembly. Accomplish this requirement by making 
pen-and-ink changes or inserting a copy of this AD into the applicable 
maintenance manual or the Instruction for Continued Airworthiness.
     Removing from service any rotating cone assembly, P/N 
500N3740-81 or P/N 500N3740-71, that has 10,000 or more hours TIS. 
Installing rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 or P/N 500N3740-71, 
is prohibited unless you have complied with the previous requirements 
of this AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The SB calls for inspecting the rotating cone assembly to determine 
its P/N. We make no requirement about how to determine the P/N. The 
compliance time for the SB is within 100 flight hours, while this 
proposed AD would require compliance within 1 year or by the next 
annual inspection, whichever comes later.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 8 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect creating a component history card and 
revising the appropriate records would take 1 work-hour. No parts would 
be needed for a total cost of $85 per helicopter and $680 for the U.S. 
fleet.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. 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, I certify 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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 an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 32510]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

MD Helicopters Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2015-1998; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-SW-035-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 500N with a 
rotating cone assembly part number (P/N) 500N3740-81 installed, and 
Model 600N helicopters with a rotating cone assembly P/N 500N3740-71 
installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a rotating cone assembly 
remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could 
result in failure of the rotating cone assembly and loss of control 
of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 10, 2015.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 1 year or at the next annual inspection, whichever 
comes later:
    (i) Create a component history card or equivalent record for 
each rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 and P/N 500N3740-71, 
and record a life limit of 10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS).
    (ii) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
applicable maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness by establishing a new retirement life of 10,000 hours 
TIS for each rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 and P/N 
500N3740-71, by making pen-and-ink changes or by inserting a copy of 
this AD into the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
maintenance manual or the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.
    (iii) Remove from service any rotating cone assembly, P/N 
500N3740-81 and P/N 500N3740-71, that has 10,000 or more hours TIS.
    (2) Do not install a rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740-81 or 
P/N 500N3740-71, on any helicopter unless you have complied with the 
requirements of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Galib Abumeri, 
Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, 
California 90712, telephone 562-627-5324; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    MD Helicopters Inc. Service Bulletin SB500N-046/SB600N-054, 
dated July 9, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. For service 
information identified in this AD, contact MD Helicopters, Inc., 
Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop 
M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 1-800-388-3378; fax 480-346-
6813; or at http://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may review a copy of 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5302, Rotorcraft 
Tail Boom.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-13853 Filed 6-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P



                                                32508                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 110 / Tuesday, June 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                   (1) Continue in such capacity until                  is held invalid, the validity of the                   DATES:  We must receive comments on
                                                discharged by the Secretary;                            remainder of this subpart or the                       this proposed AD by August 10, 2015.
                                                   (2) Carry out the obligations of the                 applicability thereof to other persons or              ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
                                                Board under any contracts or                            circumstances shall not be affected                    any of the following methods:
                                                agreements entered into pursuant to the                 thereby.                                                 • Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to
                                                Order;                                                                                                         http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                   (3) From time to time, account for all               § 1211.87    Amendments.
                                                                                                                                                               online instructions for sending your
                                                receipts and disbursements and deliver                    Amendments to this subpart may be                    comments electronically.
                                                all property on hand, together with all                 proposed from time to time by the Board                  • Fax: 202–493–2251.
                                                books and records of the Board and the                  or by any interested person affected by                  • Mail: Send comments to the U.S.
                                                trustees, to such person or persons as                  the provisions of the Act, including the               Department of Transportation, Docket
                                                the Secretary may direct; and                           Secretary.                                             Operations, M–30, West Building
                                                   (4) Upon request of the Secretary,                   § 1211.88    OMB control number.                       Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
                                                execute such assignments or other                                                                              New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
                                                instruments necessary and appropriate                     The control numbers assigned to the
                                                                                                                                                               DC 20590–0001.
                                                                                                        information collection requirements of
                                                to vest in such persons title and right to                                                                       • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
                                                all funds, property and claims vested in                this part by the Office of Management
                                                                                                                                                               ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5
                                                the Board or the trustees pursuant to the               and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork
                                                                                                                                                               p.m., Monday through Friday, except
                                                Order.                                                  Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
                                                                                                                                                               Federal holidays.
                                                   (c) Any person to whom funds,                        chapter 35, are OMB control number
                                                property or claims have been transferred                0505–0001 (Board nominee background                    Examining the AD Docket
                                                or delivered pursuant to the Order shall                statement) and OMB control number                         You may examine the AD docket on
                                                be subject to the same obligations                      0581–NEW.                                              the Internet at http://
                                                imposed upon the Board and upon the                       Dated: June 1, 2015.                                 www.regulations.gov or in person at the
                                                trustees.                                               Erin Morris,                                           Docket Operations Office between 9
                                                   (d) Any residual funds not required to               Associate Administrator.                               a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
                                                defray the necessary expenses of                        [FR Doc. 2015–13719 Filed 6–8–15; 8:45 am]             Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
                                                liquidation shall be turned over to the                 BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
                                                                                                                                                               docket contains this proposed AD, the
                                                Secretary to be disposed of, to the extent                                                                     economic evaluation, any comments
                                                practical, to one or more hardwood                                                                             received, and other information. The
                                                lumber and hardwood plywood                                                                                    street address for the Docket Operations
                                                industry organizations in the interest of               DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                           Office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in
                                                continuing hardwood lumber and                                                                                 the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
                                                                                                        Federal Aviation Administration
                                                hardwood plywood promotion, research                                                                           be available in the AD docket shortly
                                                and information programs.                                                                                      after receipt.
                                                                                                        14 CFR Part 39
                                                                                                                                                                  For service information identified in
                                                § 1211.84 Effect of termination or
                                                                                                        [Docket No. FAA–2015–1998; Directorate                 this proposed AD, contact MD
                                                amendment.
                                                                                                        Identifier 2014–SW–035–AD]                             Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer
                                                  Unless otherwise expressly provided                                                                          Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell
                                                by the Secretary, the termination or                    RIN 2120–AA64                                          Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215–
                                                amendment of this part or any subpart                                                                          9734; telephone 1–800–388–3378; fax
                                                thereof, shall not:                                     Airworthiness Directives; MD                           480–346–6813; or at http://
                                                  (a) Affect or waive any right, duty,                  Helicopters Inc.                                       www.mdhelicopters.com. You may
                                                obligation or liability which shall have                                                                       review the referenced service
                                                arisen or which may thereafter arise in                 AGENCY: Federal Aviation
                                                                                                        Administration (FAA), DOT.                             information at the FAA, Office of the
                                                connection with any provision of this                                                                          Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
                                                part; or                                                ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
                                                                                                                                                               2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort
                                                  (b) Release or extinguish any violation               (NPRM).
                                                                                                                                                               Worth, Texas 76137.
                                                of this part; or
                                                                                                        SUMMARY:    We propose to adopt a new                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  (c) Affect or impair any rights or
                                                                                                        airworthiness directive (AD) for MD                    Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, Los
                                                remedies of the United States, or of the
                                                                                                        Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) Model 500N                     Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
                                                Secretary, or of any other persons with
                                                                                                        and 600N helicopters with certain                      Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
                                                respect to any such violation.
                                                                                                        rotating cone assemblies installed. This               3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood,
                                                § 1211.85   Personal liability.                         proposed AD would require establishing                 California 90712, telephone 562–627–
                                                   No member or employee of the Board                   a life limit of 10,000 hours time-in-                  5324; email Galib.Abumeri@faa.gov.
                                                shall be held personally responsible,                   service (TIS) on these rotating cone                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                either individually or jointly with                     assemblies. This proposed AD is
                                                                                                        prompted by the determination that                     Comments Invited
                                                others, in any way whatsoever, to any
                                                person for errors in judgment, mistakes,                MDHI created rotating cone assemblies                     We invite you to participate in this
                                                or other acts, either of commission or                  with new dash numbers but incorrectly                  rulemaking by submitting written
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                omission, as such member or employee,                   failed to identify them as life-limited                comments, data, or views. We also
                                                except for acts of dishonesty or willful                parts. The proposed actions are                        invite comments relating to the
                                                misconduct.                                             intended to prevent operation of                       economic, environmental, energy, or
                                                                                                        rotating cone assemblies past their life               federalism impacts that might result
                                                § 1211.86   Separability.                               limits, failure of the rotating cone                   from adopting the proposals in this
                                                  If any provision of this subpart is                   assemblies, loss of directional control,               document. The most helpful comments
                                                declared invalid or the applicability                   and subsequent loss of control of the                  reference a specific portion of the
                                                thereof to any person or circumstances                  helicopter.                                            proposal, explain the reason for any


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 110 / Tuesday, June 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                             32509

                                                recommended change, and include                         correct the component record for certain               Authority for This Rulemaking
                                                supporting data. To ensure the docket                   rotating cone assemblies.
                                                does not contain duplicate comments,                                                                              Title 49 of the United States Code
                                                                                                           The SB also specifies determining the               specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
                                                commenters should send only one copy                    rotating cone assembly’s total service
                                                of written comments, or if comments are                                                                        rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
                                                                                                        time since new and recording this on                   section 106, describes the authority of
                                                filed electronically, commenters should                 the component record. MDHI reports
                                                submit only one time.                                                                                          the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII:
                                                                                                        that failure to comply with the SB may                 Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more
                                                   We will file in the docket all                       result in an aircraft exceeding the life
                                                comments that we receive, as well as a                                                                         detail the scope of the Agency’s
                                                                                                        limit of the rotating cone assembly and                authority.
                                                report summarizing each substantive                     that this could lead to component
                                                public contact with FAA personnel                       failure and loss of directional control of                We are issuing this rulemaking under
                                                concerning this proposed rulemaking.                    the helicopter.                                        the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII,
                                                Before acting on this proposal, we will                                                                        Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
                                                consider all comments we receive on or                  Proposed AD Requirements                               General requirements.’’ Under that
                                                before the closing date for comments.                                                                          section, Congress charges the FAA with
                                                                                                          This proposed AD would require                       promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
                                                We will consider comments filed after
                                                                                                        within 1 year or at the next annual                    air commerce by prescribing regulations
                                                the comment period has closed if it is
                                                                                                        inspection, whichever comes later:                     for practices, methods, and procedures
                                                possible to do so without incurring
                                                expense or delay. We may change this                      • Creating a component history card                  the Administrator finds necessary for
                                                proposal in light of the comments we                    or equivalent record for the rotating                  safety in air commerce. This regulation
                                                receive.                                                cone assembly, P/N 500N3740–81 or P/                   is within the scope of that authority
                                                                                                        N 500N3740–71, whichever applies to                    because it addresses an unsafe condition
                                                Discussion                                              your helicopter, and recording a life                  that is likely to exist or develop on
                                                   We propose to adopt a new AD for                     limit of 10,000 hours TIS.                             products identified in this rulemaking
                                                MDHI Model 500N helicopters with a                        • Revising the Airworthiness                         action.
                                                rotating cone assembly part number (P/                  Limitations section of the applicable
                                                N) 500N3740–81 installed and Model                                                                             Regulatory Findings
                                                                                                        maintenance manual or the Instruction
                                                600N helicopters with a rotating cone                   for Continued Airworthiness by                           We determined that this proposed AD
                                                assembly P/N 500N3740–71 installed.                     establishing a new retirement life of                  would not have federalism implications
                                                This proposed AD would require                          10,000 hours TIS for each rotating cone                under Executive Order 13132. This
                                                establishing a new life limit for these                 assembly. Accomplish this requirement                  proposed AD would not have a
                                                part-numbered rotating cone assemblies.                 by making pen-and-ink changes or                       substantial direct effect on the States, on
                                                This proposed AD is prompted by the                     inserting a copy of this AD into the                   the relationship between the national
                                                determination that MDHI created                         applicable maintenance manual or the                   Government and the States, or on the
                                                rotating cone assemblies with new dash                  Instruction for Continued                              distribution of power and
                                                numbers and did not identify them as                    Airworthiness.                                         responsibilities among the various
                                                life-limited parts. Although these parts                  • Removing from service any rotating                 levels of government.
                                                have a life limit of 10,000 hours TIS,                  cone assembly, P/N 500N3740–81 or P/                     For the reasons discussed, I certify
                                                they were incorrectly omitted from the                  N 500N3740–71, that has 10,000 or                      this proposed regulation:
                                                Airworthiness Limitation Section of the                 more hours TIS. Installing rotating cone
                                                Rotorcraft Flight Manual. MDHI reports                                                                           1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                                                                        assembly, P/N 500N3740–81 or P/N                       action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
                                                that some of the affected parts were sold               500N3740–71, is prohibited unless you
                                                as spares while others were installed on                                                                         2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
                                                                                                        have complied with the previous
                                                new helicopters in production.                                                                                 DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
                                                                                                        requirements of this AD.
                                                   The proposed actions are intended to                                                                        (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
                                                prevent a rotating cone assembly                        Differences Between This Proposed AD                     3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
                                                remaining in service beyond its fatigue                 and the Service Information                            Alaska to the extent that it justifies
                                                life. This condition could result in                                                                           making a regulatory distinction; and
                                                                                                          The SB calls for inspecting the
                                                failure of the rotating cone assembly and                                                                        4. Will not have a significant
                                                                                                        rotating cone assembly to determine its
                                                subsequent loss of control of the                                                                              economic impact, positive or negative,
                                                                                                        P/N. We make no requirement about
                                                helicopter.                                                                                                    on a substantial number of small entities
                                                                                                        how to determine the P/N. The
                                                FAA’s Determination                                     compliance time for the SB is within                   under the criteria of the Regulatory
                                                                                                        100 flight hours, while this proposed                  Flexibility Act.
                                                  We are proposing this AD because we
                                                evaluated all known relevant                            AD would require compliance within 1                     We prepared an economic evaluation
                                                information and determined that an                      year or by the next annual inspection,                 of the estimated costs to comply with
                                                unsafe condition exists and is likely to                whichever comes later.                                 this proposed AD and placed it in the
                                                exist or develop on other products of                                                                          AD docket.
                                                                                                        Costs of Compliance
                                                these same type designs.                                                                                       List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
                                                                                                          We estimate that this proposed AD
                                                Related Service Information                             would affect 8 helicopters of U.S.                       Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
                                                                                                                                                               safety, Incorporation by reference,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                  MDHI issued Service Bulletin                          Registry and that labor costs average $85
                                                SB500N–046 and SB600N–054 (SB) as a                     a work hour. Based on these estimates,                 Safety.
                                                single bulletin on July 9, 2012. The SB                 we expect creating a component history                 The Proposed Amendment
                                                calls for a one-time inspection within                  card and revising the appropriate
                                                100 flight hours to determine the                       records would take 1 work-hour. No                       Accordingly, under the authority
                                                rotating cone assembly’s part number on                 parts would be needed for a total cost                 delegated to me by the Administrator,
                                                MDHI Model 500N and 600N                                of $85 per helicopter and $680 for the                 the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
                                                helicopters. The SB then states to                      U.S. fleet.                                            39 as follows:


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                                                32510                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 110 / Tuesday, June 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS                                   Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960              condition as missing countersunk
                                                DIRECTIVES                                              Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California                  washers under the head of the main
                                                                                                        90712, telephone 562–627–5324; email 9-                landing gear trunnion cap tension bolts
                                                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39                 ANM-LAACO-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
                                                                                                                                                               that could cause fatigue in the bolt
                                                continues to read as follows:                             (2) For operations conducted under a 14
                                                                                                        CFR part 119 operating certificate or under            shanks. We are issuing this proposed
                                                    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.          14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that             AD to require actions to address the
                                                                                                        you notify your principal inspector, or                unsafe condition on these products.
                                                § 39.13   [Amended]                                     lacking a principal inspector, the manager of          DATES: We must receive comments on
                                                ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding                   the local flight standards district office or          this proposed AD by July 24, 2015.
                                                the following new airworthiness                         certificate holding district office before             ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
                                                directive (AD):                                         operating any aircraft complying with this
                                                                                                        AD through an AMOC.
                                                                                                                                                               any of the following methods:
                                                MD Helicopters Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2015–                                                                        • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
                                                   1998; Directorate Identifier 2014–SW–                (g) Additional Information                             http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                   035–AD.                                                 MD Helicopters Inc. Service Bulletin                instructions for submitting comments.
                                                (a) Applicability                                       SB500N–046/SB600N–054, dated July 9,                     • Fax: (202) 493–2251.
                                                                                                        2012, which is not incorporated by reference,            • Mail: U.S. Department of
                                                   This AD applies to MD Helicopters Inc.               contains additional information about the              Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
                                                (MDHI) Model 500N with a rotating cone                  subject of this AD. For service information
                                                assembly part number (P/N) 500N3740–81
                                                                                                                                                               30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
                                                                                                        identified in this AD, contact MD                      W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                                installed, and Model 600N helicopters with              Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support
                                                a rotating cone assembly P/N 500N3740–71                                                                       Washington, DC 20590.
                                                                                                        Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop                 • Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
                                                installed, certificated in any category.                M615, Mesa, AZ 85215–9734; telephone 1–
                                                                                                        800–388–3378; fax 480–346–6813; or at
                                                                                                                                                               Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
                                                (b) Unsafe Condition                                                                                           30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
                                                                                                        http://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may
                                                  This AD defines the unsafe condition as a             review a copy of information at the FAA,               W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
                                                rotating cone assembly remaining in service             Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest              Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
                                                beyond its fatigue life. This condition could           Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort             and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
                                                result in failure of the rotating cone assembly         Worth, Texas 76137.                                    except Federal holidays.
                                                and loss of control of the helicopter.
                                                                                                                                                                  For service information identified in
                                                                                                        (h) Subject
                                                (c) Comments Due Date                                                                                          this proposed AD, contact BAE Systems
                                                                                                          Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)              (Operations) Limited, Customer
                                                   We must receive comments by August 10,               Code: 5302, Rotorcraft Tail Boom.
                                                2015.                                                                                                          Information Department, Prestwick
                                                                                                          Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29,              International Airport, Ayrshire, KA9
                                                (d) Compliance                                          2015.                                                  2RW, Scotland, United Kingdom;
                                                  You are responsible for performing each               Lance T. Gant,                                         telephone: +44 1292 675207; fax: +44
                                                action required by this AD within the                   Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft                 1292 675704; email: RApublications@
                                                specified compliance time unless it has
                                                already been accomplished prior to that time.
                                                                                                        Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.           baesystems.com; Internet: http://
                                                                                                        [FR Doc. 2015–13853 Filed 6–8–15; 8:45 am]             www.baesystems.com/Businesses/
                                                (e) Required Actions                                    BILLING CODE 4910–13–P                                 RegionalAircraft/. You may review this
                                                   (1) Within 1 year or at the next annual                                                                     referenced service information at the
                                                inspection, whichever comes later:                                                                             FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
                                                   (i) Create a component history card or               DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                           Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
                                                equivalent record for each rotating cone                                                                       For information on the availability of
                                                assembly, P/N 500N3740–81 and P/N                       Federal Aviation Administration                        this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–
                                                500N3740–71, and record a life limit of                                                                        4148.
                                                10,000 hours time-in-service (TIS).                     14 CFR Part 39
                                                   (ii) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations                                                                   Examining the AD Docket
                                                Section of the applicable maintenance                   [Docket No. FAA–2015–2048; Directorate
                                                manual or Instructions for Continued                    Identifier 2015–CE–015–AD]                                You may examine the AD docket on
                                                Airworthiness by establishing a new                                                                            the Internet at http://
                                                retirement life of 10,000 hours TIS for each            RIN 2120–AA64                                          www.regulations.gov by searching for
                                                rotating cone assembly, P/N 500N3740–81                                                                        and locating Docket No. FAA–2015–
                                                and P/N 500N3740–71, by making pen-and-                 Airworthiness Directives; British                      2048; or in person at the Docket
                                                ink changes or by inserting a copy of this AD           Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes                  Management Facility between 9 a.m.
                                                into the Airworthiness Limitations Section of           AGENCY: Federal Aviation                               and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
                                                the maintenance manual or the Instructions                                                                     except Federal holidays. The AD docket
                                                                                                        Administration (FAA), Department of
                                                for Continued Airworthiness.                                                                                   contains this proposed AD, the
                                                   (iii) Remove from service any rotating cone          Transportation (DOT).
                                                                                                        ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking                  regulatory evaluation, any comments
                                                assembly, P/N 500N3740–81 and P/N
                                                500N3740–71, that has 10,000 or more hours              (NPRM).                                                received, and other information. The
                                                TIS.                                                                                                           street address for the Docket Office
                                                   (2) Do not install a rotating cone assembly,         SUMMARY:   We propose to adopt a new                   (telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the
                                                P/N 500N3740–81 or P/N 500N3740–71, on                  airworthiness directive (AD) for British               ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
                                                any helicopter unless you have complied                 Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream                  available in the AD docket shortly after
                                                                                                                                                               receipt.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                with the requirements of this AD.                       Series 3101 and Jetsream Model 3201
                                                (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance                   airplanes. This proposed AD results                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                (AMOC)                                                  from mandatory continuing                              Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer,
                                                   (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft
                                                                                                        airworthiness information (MCAI)                       FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
                                                Certification Office, FAA, may approve                  originated by an aviation authority of                 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
                                                AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to:               another country to identify and correct                Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–
                                                Galib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, Los                  an unsafe condition on an aviation                     4138; fax: (816) 329–4090; email:
                                                Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,                  product. The MCAI describes the unsafe                 taylor.martin@faa.gov.


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:25:07
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:25:07
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
DatesWe must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 10, 2015.
ContactGalib Abumeri, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712, telephone 562- 627-5324; email [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 32508 
RIN Number2120-AA64
CFR AssociatedAir Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

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