DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0064; Product Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopters Inc., Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD)
for MD Helicopters Inc., (MDHI) Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE,
369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted
by a report of non-conforming main rotor (M/R) hub lead-lag bolts
(bolts). This proposed AD would require removing certain bolts from
service. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March
23,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in
14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 https://www.mdhelicopters.com. You may view this
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX
76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 817-222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0064; or in person
at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be available
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer,
Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 562-627-5313;
email payman.soltani@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0064;
Product Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Discussion
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N
helicopters with certain serial-numbered bolts part number (P/N)
369D21220 installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of non-
conforming bolts. Certain serial-numbered bolts had an unauthorized
repair of their cadmium plating performed between April 2004 and
October 2018. Analysis has shown that these bolts have a lower fatigue
life compared to bolts used during manufacturing batch testing. This
proposed AD would require removing the affected bolts from service.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of an M/R
blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed MD Helicopters Service Bulletin No. SB369D-223 for
Model 369D helicopters, No. SB369E-122 for Model 369E helicopters, No.
SB369F-110 for Model 369FF helicopters, No. SB369H-259 for Model 369H,
369HE, 369HS, and 369HM helicopters, No. SB500N-060 for Model 500N
helicopters, and No. SB600N-073 for Model 600N helicopters, each dated
April 19, 2019. These service bulletins are co-published as one
document. This service information specifies determining the serial
number of bolt P/N 369D21220, and if certain serial-numbered bolts are
installed on a helicopter, contacting MDHI to schedule replacement of
each affected bolt and reporting information. This service information
also specifies returning removed parts to MDHI along with a completed
Service Operation Report.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD after evaluating all of the relevant
information and determining the unsafe condition described previously
is likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require removing each affected bolt P/N
369D21220 from service at the next overhaul of the M/R assembly or
within 3 months, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would also
prohibit installing an affected bolt on any helicopter after the
effective date of the proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The service information specifies reporting information and
returning removed parts to MDHI, whereas this proposed AD would not
require either of those actions. The service information specifies
replacing the affected bolts within 12 months, whereas this proposed AD
would require replacing the affected bolts within three months of the
effective date of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 767
helicopters of U.S. registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per
work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD.
Replacing a bolt would take about 0.25 work-hour and parts would
cost about $178 for an estimated cost of $199 per bolt.
According to MDHI, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in this cost
estimate.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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 above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
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:
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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