AD 2013-01-04

AD Final Rules - 2013-01-04.pdf
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AD Number:
2013-01-04
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
FAA-2012-0082
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Helicopters
Subject:
Main Landing Gear
Status:
Current
Citation:
Federal Register Volume 78, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2013)
Citation Publish Date:
02/04/2013
Effective Date:
03/11/2013
Make:
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
Model:
412 | 412EP
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Rotorcraft
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]


[Rules and Regulations]


[Pages 7645-7647]


From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[FR Doc No: 2013-02238]


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39


[Docket No. FAA-2012-0082; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-036-AD; Amendment 39-17318;


AD 2013-01-04]


RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Helicopters


AGENCY:
 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.


ACTION:
 
Final rule.


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


SUMMARY:
 
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.


(Bell), Model 412 and 412EP helicopters. This AD requires creating a component history card or


equivalent record and begin counting and recording the number of accumulated landings for each


high aft crosstube assembly (crosstube). Also, this AD requires installing ''caution'' decals regarding


towing of a helicopter at or above 8,900 pounds. This AD also requires confirming the crosstube is


within the horizontal deflection limits and replacing it if it is not. This AD also requires a recurring


fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of each crosstube and upper center support for a crack, any


corrosion, nick, scratch, dent, or any other damage. This AD requires repairing damaged crosstubes


and upper center supports that are within acceptable limits, reworking crosstubes by bonding on


abrasion strips, and replacing each unairworthy crosstube with an airworthy crosstube. This AD was


prompted by analysis of the crosstubes conducted as a result of recent field failures and corrosion


problems of the affected crosstubes. The actions are intended to prevent failure of a crosstube,


collapse of the landing gear, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.


DATES:
 
This AD is effective March 11, 2013.


The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain


document listed in this AD as of March 11, 2013.


ADDRESSES:
 
For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.,


P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at


http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. 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.
2


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 AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, the


economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the


Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket


Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue


SE., Washington, DC 20590.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 
Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety Engineer,


Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,


Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5170; email 7-avs-asw-170@faa.gov.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:


Discussion


On February 3, 2012, at 77 FR 5427, the Federal Register published our notice of proposed


rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to


Bell Model 412 and 412EP helicopters. That NPRM proposed to require counting and recording the


number of accumulated landings for each crosstube on a component history card or equivalent record


and installing CAUTION decals regarding towing a helicopter that weighs at or above 8,900 pounds.


The NPRM also proposed to require confirming that the crosstube is within the horizontal deflection


limits and replacing it if it is not. Also, the NPRM proposed to require a recurring FPI of each


crosstube and upper center support for a crack, any corrosion, a nick, scratch, dent, or other damage,


repairing each damaged crosstube and upper center support if there is damage within acceptable


limits, reworking each crosstube by bonding abrasion strips, and replacing each unairworthy


crosstube.


The affected crosstubes are the older non-anodized configuration and have had a service history


of corrosion problems. In response to reports of field failures, Bell has completed a load level survey,


material coupon testing, and additional analysis of the crosstubes. The results indicate that fatigue


damage can occur during towing and landing. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent


failure of a crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.


Comments


After our NPRM (77 FR 5427, February 3, 2012) was published, we received comments from


one commenter.


Request


One commenter objected to the proposal because of ''continual noise, pollution and aggravation


as a result of low flying planes.'' The commenter expressed concern about additional airplanes


operating at lower altitudes for longer periods of time over her home near Peachtree-Dekalb Airport,


Georgia. We find that this comment does not pertain to the NPRM (77 FR 5427, February 3, 2012)


regarding Bell Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, and believe the comment was attached to the


NPRM in error. We find the comment does not warrant extending the comment period or


withdrawing the proposed action.