Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66252-66254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24037]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0488; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-002-AD; 
Amendment 39-17619; AD 2013-20-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
(Bell) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bell Model 206B and 206L helicopters. This AD requires installing a 
placard beneath the engine power dual tachometer and revising the 
operating limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). 
This AD was prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine 
wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain 
engine speeds during steady-state operations. These actions are 
intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady-
state operations, prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, 
engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective December 10, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of December 10, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 
433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the foreign authority's AD, 
any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On June 7, 2013, at 78 FR 34280, the Federal Register published our 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Model 206B 
helicopters, serial number (S/N) 004 through 4675, including 
helicopters converted from Model 206A and Model 206L helicopters, S/N 
45001 through 45153, and 46601 through 46617. The NPRM proposed to 
require installing a placard on the instrument panel below the NR/N2 
dual tachometer and revising the Operating Limitations section of the 
Model 206B RFM and 206L RFM to limit steady-state operation between 
speeds of 75% and 88%. The proposed requirements were intended to alert 
pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, 
prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. CF-2007-13R2, dated November 10, 
2009, issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the 
aviation authority for Canada. TCCA issued AD No. CF-2007-13R2 to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Model 206B (including those 
converted from Model 206A) and 206L helicopters. TCCA advises of 
several failures of third stage turbine wheels used in Rolls Royce 250-
C20. According to TCCA, Rolls Royce

[[Page 66253]]

has determined that detrimental vibrations can occur within a 
particular range of turbine speeds, and may be a contributing factor to 
these failures. Bell has revised the RFM and has provided a 
corresponding decal to inform pilots to avoid steady-state operations 
between 75% and 88% turbine speeds.
    The TCCA AD requires amending the RFMs, advising pilots of the 
change, and installing a decal as described in Bell Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-07-115, Revision C, dated February 4, 2009, for 
Model 206B helicopters (ASB 206-07-115) and Bell ASB No. 206L-07-146, 
Revision B, dated March 3, 2009, for Model 206L helicopters (ASB 206L-
07-146).

Comments

    After our NPRM (78 FR 34280, June 7, 2013) was published, we 
received comments from one commenter.

Request

    Rolls-Royce Corporation requested that in addition to requiring the 
placard on the instrument panel, we allow operators the option to 
temporarily mark the N<INF>r</INF>/N<INF>p</INF> gauge with colored 
tape, to provide a more visual aide to the pilot for the speed 
avoidance zone.
    We disagree. Marking the glass surface of the gauge can create 
parallax issues when viewing the avoidance ranges on the gauge, 
resulting in erroneous readings.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, TCCA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the TCCA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by TCCA, reviewed the relevant information, 
considered the comment received, and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the 
same type design and that air safety and the public interest require 
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the TCCA AD

    The TCCA AD requires compliance within 10 calendar days, while this 
AD requires compliance within 30 days.

Related Service Information

    Bell has issued ASB 206-07-115 and ASB 206L-07-146, which contain 
procedures for installing a placard on the instrument panel below the 
main rotor RPM (Nr)/power turbine RPM (N2) dual tachometer and for 
inserting the RFM changes into the flight manual.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 970 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per hour, we estimate 
that operators will incur the following costs in order to comply with 
this AD. Amending the RFM will require about 0.5 work-hour, for a cost 
per helicopter of about $43 and a cost to U.S. operators of $41,710. 
Installing the decal will require about 0.2 work-hour and required 
parts will cost $20, for a cost per helicopter of $37 and a cost to 
U.S. operators of $35,890. Based on these estimates, the total cost of 
this AD is $80 per helicopter and $77,600 for the U.S. operator fleet.

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.
    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 helicopters 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    (4) 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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

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 (AD):

2013-20-13 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell): Amendment 
39-17619; Docket No. FAA-2013-0488; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-
002-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) Bell Model 206B, serial number (S/N) 004 through 4675, 
including helicopters converted from Model 206A; and
    (2) Bell Model 206L, S/N 45001 through 45153, and 46601 through 
46617.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a third stage turbine 
vibration, which could result in turbine failure, engine power loss, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 10, 2013.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 30 days:
    (1) For Model 206B helicopters:
    (i) Revise the Operating Limitations section of the Model 206B 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting Section 1, Operating 
Limitations, page 1-2A, of Bell BHT-206B-FM-1, revision B-50, dated 
December 8, 2008.
    (ii) Remove placard part number (P/N) 230-075-213-121, if 
installed.
    (iii) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-125, or equivalent, on the 
instrument panel directly below the dual tachometer.
    (2) For Model 206L helicopters:

[[Page 66254]]

    (i) Revise the Operating Limitations section of the Model 206L 
RFM by inserting Section 1, Operating Limitations, page 1-4B, of 
Bell BHT-206L-FM-1, revision 28, dated December 8, 2008.
    (ii) Remove placard P/N 230-075-213-123, if installed.
    (ii) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-127, or equivalent, on the 
instrument panel below the dual tachometer.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Chinh Vuong, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-07-115, Revision 
C, dated February 4, 2009, and Bell ASB No. 206L-07-146, Revision B, 
dated March 3, 2009, which are not incorporated by reference, 
contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For 
service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter 
Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 
J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-
0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a 
copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD No. CF-2007-13R2, dated December 9, 2009. 
You may view the TCCA AD on the internet in the AD Docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7250: Turbine 
Section.

(i) 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) Page 1-2A of Section 1, Operating Limitations, of Bell 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual BHT-206B-FM-1, Revision B-50, dated 
December 8, 2008.
    (ii) Page 1-4B of Section 1, Operating Limitations, of Bell 
Rotorcraft Flight Manual BHT-206L-FM-1, Revision 28, dated December 
8, 2008.
    (3) For Bell service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; 
fax (450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 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, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 25, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-24037 Filed 11-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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