AD 2005-21-03

Effective November 21, 2005.

You may get the service information identified in this AD from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 433-0272.

Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-5961.

A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD for the specified BHTC model helicopters was published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37060). That action proposed to require, before the first flight of each day, checking the blade doublers for an edge void or de-bond on both sides of each blade, and if an edge void or de-bond is found, replacing the unairworthy blade with an airworthy blade. Also, that action proposed to require replacing any affected serial-numbered blade with an airworthy blade.

Transport Canada, the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Model 206A, B, and L series helicopters. Transport Canada advises that an inadequate surface preparation on a limited number of blades resulted in two reported instances of blade root doubler de-bond. They also advise that to ensure blade integrity all suspected blades are to be checked daily until removed from service.

BHTC has issued Alert Service Bulletin Nos. 206-04-101 and 206L-04-131, both dated September 13, 2004, which specify a daily check of the doubler area to verify integrity of the doubler by a pilot as part of the daily pre-flight check. The service bulletins also specify a retirement from service of affected blades, which constitutes terminating action. Transport Canada classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued AD No. CF-2004-25, dated November 23, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Canada.

These helicopter models are now manufactured in Canada and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the applicable bilateral agreement, Transport Canada has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of Transport Canada, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of these type designs that are certificated for operation in the United States.

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.

The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 2,194 helicopters of U.S. registry. The required actions will:

• Take about 1/4 work hour to do a daily check for blade edge voids and de-bonds; and

• Take about 4 work hours to replace a blade at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.

• Cost about $5,848 for a replacement blade.

Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $201,058, assuming 26 blades are affected and replaced and assuming 100 daily checks are done.

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: