Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc. Model MD600N Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68646-68647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31817]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-54-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc. Model MD600N 
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 MD600N 
helicopters. This proposal would require inspecting each internal fuel 
hose connection to verify proper installation. This proposal is 
prompted by the discovery that certain fuel hose connections between 
the fuel cells and the engine can be incorrectly installed. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent fuel starvation of 
the engine while the fuel gage indicates fuel remaining in the tank, 
engine flameout, and a subsequent forced landing.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-54-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 
5000 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615-GO48, Mesa, Arizona 85215-9797, 
telephone 1-800-388-3378 or 480-891-6342, datafax 480-891-6782. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

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. 99-SW-54-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. 99-SW-54-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    This document proposes the adoption of a new AD applicable to MDHI 
Model MD600N helicopters, serial numbers with a prefix of ``RN'' 003 
through 045. This AD would require inspecting each internal fuel hose 
connection to verify appropriate installation. The manufacturer 
discovered, during a company production flight test, that certain fuel 
hose connections between the fuel cells and the engine were incorrectly 
installed. The manufacturer is currently attempting to develop new 
hoses that would eliminate the possibility of incorrectly installing 
the internal fuel hose connections. Such hoses, if developed, would 
replace the hoses currently in use. In the interim, a one-time 
inspection of each internal fuel hose connection for proper 
installation is necessary within 100 hours TIS. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in fuel starvation of the engine while the gage 
indicates fuel remaining in the

[[Page 68647]]

tank, engine flameout, and a subsequent forced landing.
    The FAA has reviewed MDHI Service Bulletin SB600N-025, dated July 
2, 1999, which describes procedures for inspecting the fuel system to 
verify proper fuel line connections between the fuel cells and the 
engine.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other MDHI Model MD600N helicopters of the same 
type design, the proposed AD would require inspecting the internal fuel 
hose connections to ensure appropriate installation. The actions would 
be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 40 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 8 work 
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $19,200.
    The regulations adopted herein will not impose substantial direct 
compliance costs on states or local governments or 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 13132, the FAA has not consulted with 
States or local authorities prior to the publication of this notice.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the 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.: Docket No. 99-SW-54.

    Applicability: Model MD600N helicopters, serial numbers with a 
prefix of ``RN'' 003 through 045, 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 as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fuel starvation of the engine while the fuel gage 
indicates fuel remaining in the tank, engine flameout, and a 
subsequent forced landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 hours time-in-service, verify that the internal 
fuel hose connections have been properly installed in accordance 
with either Method A or Method B of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB 600N-025, dated July 2, 1999 
(ASB). Prior to further flight, make any necessary corrections.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if 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 December 1, 1999.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31817 Filed 12-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M