AD 2005-16-04

Effective September 12, 2005.

You may get the service information identified in this AD from Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., P.O. Box 3689, Bristol, Tennessee 37625-3689, telephone (423) 538-5151 or (800) 251-7094, fax (423) 538-8469, or e-mail at sales@aero-access.com.

Examining the Docket: You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5177, fax (817) 222-5783.

A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD for Bell Model 206A and 206B helicopters that have Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. crosstubes installed was published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2005 (70 FR 28220). That action proposed to require the following within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 60 days, whichever occurs first, and after that at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first:

• Inspecting each forward crosstube, part number (P/N) 206-321-001 with serial number (S/N) 1001 through 1152, for a crack and replacing any cracked crosstube with an airworthy crosstube before further flight; and

• Inspecting each high aft crosstube, P/N 206-321-002, with S/N 2001 through 2152, for a crack and replacing any cracked crosstube with an airworthy crosstube before further flight.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

We estimate that this AD will affect 150 helicopters of U.S. registry. Inspecting both crosstubes on each helicopter will take approximately 3 work hours and replacing both crosstubes, if necessary, will also take approximately 3 work hours. The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $2,260 per crosstube. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $736,500 ($4,910 per helicopter, assuming one inspection and one forward and one aft crosstube replacement on the entire fleet).

We have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 AD. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.

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.

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:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows: