Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.-Manufactured Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 Helicopters

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment revises an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) for the Armed Forces of the United States, and requires removing and replacing certain main rotor mast (mast) assemblies. This amendment corrects a part number that was published incorrectly in the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of that error. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of the mast and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

November 22, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Kohner, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5447, fax (817) 222-5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

AD 2000-15-21, Amendment 39-11854, applicable to Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, which were manufactured by BHTI for the Armed Forces of the United States, was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2000 (65 FR 48605). That AD requires removing and replacing certain mast assemblies.

After that AD was issued, the FAA discovered that the mast assembly part numbers listed in the applicability section are 205-011-450-001 and -005; the correct mast assembly part numbers are 204-011-450-001 and -005.

The FAA has determined that this revision will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD, therefore, no additional comments were solicited and this AD is being issued with the same requirements previously imposed but with the correct part number.

The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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.

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-11854 ( 65 FR 48605, August 9, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows:

2000-15-21 R1 Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services (Previously Erickson Air Crane Co.); Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc.; International Helicopters, Inc.; Tamarack Helicopters, Inc. (Previously Ranger Helicopter Services, Inc.); Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; Williams Helicopter Corporation (Previously Scott Paper Co.); Smith Helicopters; Southern Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida Aviation; Arrow Falcon (Previously Utah State University); Western International Aviation, Inc.; and U.S. Helicopter, Inc.: Amendment 39-11966. Docket No. 2000-SW-01-AD. Revises AD 2000-15-21, Amendment 39-11854.

Applicability: Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P; and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) for the Armed Forces of the United States, with a main rotor mast (mast) assembly, part number (P/N) 204-011-450-001 or -005, 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 25 hours time-in-service, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent fatigue failure of the mast and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Remove any mast assembly, P/N 204-011-450-001 or -005, from service. Replace it with an airworthy mast assembly. Neither mast assembly, P/N 204-011-450-001 nor 204-011-450-005, is eligible for installation on any affected helicopter.

(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, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office.

Note 2:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Rotorcraft Certification Office.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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.

(d) This amendment becomes effective on November 22, 2000.