Proposed Rule2021-16219
Airworthiness Directives; Brantly Helicopters Industries U.S.A. Co., Ltd., and Brantly International, Inc., Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
July 30, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Brantly Helicopters Industries U.S.A. Co., Ltd., Model 305 helicopters and Brantly International, Inc., Model B-2, B-2A, and B-2B helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the tail rotor (T/R) hub. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the T/R hub and depending on the results, removing the T/R hub from service. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40967-40969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16219]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0610; Project Identifier AD-2021-00126-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Brantly Helicopters Industries U.S.A.
Co., Ltd., and Brantly International, 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 certain Brantly Helicopters Industries U.S.A. Co., Ltd., Model 305
helicopters and Brantly International, Inc., Model B-2, B-2A, and B-2B
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a crack in
the tail rotor (T/R) hub. This proposed AD would require repetitive
inspections of the T/R hub and depending on the results, removing the
T/R hub 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 September
13, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 Brantly
International, Inc., Bill Ross, 621 S Royal Lane, Suite 100, Coppell,
TX 75019; phone: (972) 829-4699; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2b49594458586b585e5b4e594244594a42595b4a595f5805484446"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e98b9b869a9aa99a9c998c9b80869b88809b99889b9d9ac78a8684">[email protected]</span></a>. 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.
[[Page 40968]]
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0610; 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, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Belhumeur, Senior Project
Engineer, Certification Section, Fort Worth ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5177; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d34204c5e5a204b5a4c4e424d6b6c6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1889cf0e2e69cf7e6f0f2fef1d7d0d09fd6dec7">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0610; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00126-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Marc
Belhumeur, Senior Project Engineer, Certification Section, Fort Worth
ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5177; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5fce8849692e8839284868a85a3a4a4eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1c8dcb0a2a6dcb7a6b0b2beb1979090df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA proposes to adopt a new AD for Brantly Helicopters
Industries U.S.A. Co., Ltd., Model 305 helicopters and Brantly
International, Inc., Model B-2, B-2A, and B-2B helicopters with T/R hub
part number (P/N) 161-1 or 2951 installed. This proposed AD was
prompted by a report of a crack in T/R hub P/N 2951. The crack is
considered fatigue cracking caused by corrosion pitting. T/R hub P/N
161-1 is also affected by this unsafe condition due to design
similarity. This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of
T/R control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Brantly Helicopter Service Letter No. 102, dated
July 11, 1974 (SL 102). SL 102 specifies repetitively cleaning and
inspecting the areas where each T/R blade attaching arm extends from
the T/R hub for a crack. SL 102 also specifies repetitively cleaning
and dye penetrant inspecting the radius at the shoulder of each T/R hub
spindle for a crack. If there is a crack, SL 102 specifies replacing
the part and reporting any cracks to Brantly Operators, Inc.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require repetitively cleaning, and using a
10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspecting the areas where each
T/R blade attaching arm extends from the T/R hub for a crack,
corrosion, and pitting, and depending on the results, removing the T/R
hub from service. This proposed AD would also require repetitively
cleaning and dye penetrant inspecting the radius at the shoulder of
each T/R hub spindle for a crack and pitting, and depending on the
results, removing the T/R hub from service.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
SL 102 applies to all Brantly helicopters, whereas this proposed AD
would apply to helicopters with T/R hub P/N 2591 or 161-1 installed.
This proposed AD would require using a 10X or higher power magnifying
glass when inspecting the area where the T/R blade attaching arm
extends from the T/R hub for a crack, corrosion, and pitting, whereas
SL 102 does not specify using a magnifying glass and only specifies
inspecting for a crack in that area. This proposed AD would require dye
penetrant inspecting the radius at the shoulder of each T/R spindle for
a crack and pitting, whereas SL 102 only specifies dye penetrant
inspecting for a crack in those areas. SL102 specifies reporting any
cracks to Brantly Operators, Inc., whereas this proposed AD would not
require reporting any information.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 57 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this proposed AD.
Cleaning and inspecting the T/R hub with a magnifying glass would
take about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and
$4,845 for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle. Cleaning and dye
penetrant inspecting the T/R hub would take about 2 work-hours for an
estimated cost of $170 per helicopter and $9,690 for the U.S. fleet,
per inspection cycle. If required, replacing a T/R hub would take about
0.5 work-hour and parts would cost about $500 for an estimated cost of
$543 per replacement.
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
[[Page 40969]]
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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Brantly Helicopters Industries U.S.A. Co., Ltd., and Brantly
International, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0610; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00126-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 13, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Brantly Helicopters Industries U.S.A. Co.,
Ltd., Model 305 helicopters and Brantly International, Inc., Model
B-2, B-2A, and B-2B helicopters, certificated in any category, with
a tail rotor (T/R) hub part number 161-1 or 2951, installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6420, Tail Rotor
Head.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of crack in the T/R hub. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking of the T/R hub. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of T/R
control 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
Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next annual
inspection after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS and
at each annual inspection:
(1) Clean, and using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass,
inspect the areas where each T/R blade attaching arm extends from
the T/R hub for a crack, corrosion, and pitting. If there is a
crack, corrosion, or pitting, before further flight, remove the T/R
hub from service.
(2) Clean and dye penetrant inspect the radius at the shoulder
of each T/R hub spindle for a crack and pitting. If there is a crack
or pitting, before further flight, remove the T/R hub from service.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Fort Worth 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 (i) of this AD.
(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.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Marc Belhumeur,
Senior Project Engineer, Certification Section, Fort Worth ACO
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5177; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#093024485a5e244f5e484a46496f6868276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="182135594b4f355e4f595b57587e7979367f776e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on July 26, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16219 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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