[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 26, 2020)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Pages 31359-31361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11157]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0064; Project Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD; Amendment 39-21132; AD

2020-11-07]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; MD Helicopter Inc., Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters Inc.,
(MDHI) Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters.
This AD was prompted by a report of non-conforming main rotor (M/R) hub lead-lag bolts (bolts).
This AD requires removing certain bolts from service. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2020.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in this AD as of June 30, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 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. It is also available on the internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0064.

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 final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is Docket Operations,

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U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer, Los

Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 562-
627-5313; email payman.soltani@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding
an AD that would apply to MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N,
and 600N helicopters, with certain serial-numbered bolts part number (P/N) 369D21220 installed.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 7, 2020 (85 FR 7256). The NPRM 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. The NPRM proposed to 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The FAA
received a comment from one commenter. The following presents the comment received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request

The commenter stated that the labor hours provided in the NPRM to replace a bolt are
underestimated because bolt replacement cannot be performed while the M/R is installed on the
rotorcraft. The cost estimation should include removal of the M/R blades, M/R driveshaft, and M/R
head.
The FAA agrees and has updated the Costs of Compliance for this AD.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air
safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed except for adjusting the
labor hours to replace a bolt. The FAA has determined that this change:
• Is consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe
condition; and
• Does not add any significant burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

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
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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.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

The service information specifies reporting information and returning removed parts to MDHI,
whereas this AD does not require either of those actions. The service information specifies replacing
the affected bolts within 12 months, whereas this AD requires replacing the affected bolts within
three months of the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 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 AD.
Replacing a bolt takes about 1.75 work-hours and parts cost about $178 for an estimated cost of
$327 per bolt.
According to MDHI, some of the costs of this 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

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 this AD:
(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.

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Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

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 AIRWORTHINESS
FAA DIRECTIVE
Aviation Safety
www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2020-11-07 MD Helicopter Inc. (MDHI): Amendment 39-21132; Docket No. FAA-2020-0064;

Project Identifier 2019-SW-096-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective June 30, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to MDHI Model 369D, 369E, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N,
and 600N helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main rotor (M/R) hub lead-lag bolt (bolt)
part number (P/N) 369D21220 with a serial number (S/N) listed in paragraph 1.B. of MD Helicopters
Service Bulletin No. SB369D-223, SB369E-122, SB369F-110, SB369H-259, SB500N-060, or
SB600N-073, each dated April 19, 2019, installed.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC): 6200, Main Rotor System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a report of non-conforming bolts. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent failure of a bolt. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of an M/R blade
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

(1) At the next overhaul of the M/R assembly or within 3 months, whichever occurs first, remove
from service each bolt with a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any helicopter a bolt with a P/N and S/N
listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.

(h) Special Flight Permit

A special flight permit may be permitted for a one-time ferry flight to an authorized repair
facility.

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(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate.
If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-LAACO-
AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a
principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district
office.

(j) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles
ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 562-627-5313;
email payman.soltani@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the
service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB369D-223, dated April 19, 2019.
(ii) MD Helicopters SB No. SB369E-122, dated April 19, 2019.
(iii) MD Helicopters SB No. SB369F-110, dated April 19, 2019.
(iv) MD Helicopters SB No. SB369H-259, dated April 19, 2019.
(v) MD Helicopters SB No. SB500N-060, dated April 19, 2019.
(vi) MD Helicopters SB No. SB600N-073, dated April 19, 2019.

Note 1 to paragraph (k)(2): MD Helicopters SB No. SB369D-223, No. SB369E-122, No.

SB369F-110, No. SB369H-259, No. SB500N-060, and No. SB600N-073, each dated April 19, 2019,
are co-published as one document.

(3) For MD Helicopters service information identified in this AD, 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.
(4) 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. (5) You may view this service
information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov,
or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Issued on May 19, 2020.

Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-11157 Filed 5-22-20; 8:45 am]