Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 119 (Thursday, June 22, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28397-28399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12799]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0078; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-026-AD; 
Amendment 39-18933; AD 2017-13-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD 
requires adding an identification number to life-limited rod ends that 
do not have a serial number (S/N). The actions of this AD are intended 
to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 27, 2017.

[[Page 28398]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of July 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0078.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0078; 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 Transport Canada 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: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On February 17, 2017, at 82 FR 10976, 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 429 
helicopters, S/N 57001 through 57260, with a pylon restraint spring 
assembly (spring assembly) forward rod end (rod end) part number (P/N) 
427-010-210-105 installed. The NPRM proposed to require cleaning and 
marking each rod end with the S/N of the spring assembly. The NPRM also 
proposed prohibiting the installation of rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 on 
any helicopter unless it has been marked in accordance with the 
proposed requirements. The proposed requirements were intended to 
prevent a rod end from remaining in service after reaching its life 
limit. This condition could result in failure of a rod end and 
subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.
    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2015-15, dated June 25, 2015, to correct an unsafe 
condition for Bell Model 429 helicopters, S/Ns 57001 through 57260. 
Transport Canada advises that, per its regulations, life-limited parts 
must be marked with their P/N and S/N. Transport Canada further states 
that the spring assembly rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 has a life limit 
of 5,000 hours; however, it is not serialized, causing difficulties in 
tracking its accumulated air time. According to Transport Canada, this 
condition could result in a rod end remaining in service beyond its 
life limit. Therefore, the Transport Canada AD requires adding 
identification markings on each spring assembly rod end.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

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, Transport Canada, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
its AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by Transport Canada 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bell Helicopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated 
February 26, 2015. This service information specifies procedures for 
permanently marking each forward and aft rod end with the S/N of the 
spring assembly. This service information applies to certain serial-
numbered helicopters, as subsequent helicopters will have these actions 
performed during the manufacturing process.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Bell Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, 
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 24, approved 
June 12, 2015, which specifies airworthiness life limits and inspection 
intervals for parts installed on Model 429 helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 70 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per 
work-hour. Marking the rod ends will take about 0.5 work-hour for a 
total estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,010 for the U.S. 
fleet. Replacing a rod end that has exceeded its life limit will take 
about 3 work-hours and required parts will cost about $4,100 for an 
estimated replacement cost of $4,355 per rod end.

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;

[[Page 28399]]

    (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):

2017-13-03 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
18933; Docket No. FAA-2017-0078; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-026-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model 429 helicopters, serial number 57001 
through 57260, with a pylon restraint spring assembly (spring 
assembly) forward rod end (rod end) part number (P/N) 427-010-210-
105 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a rod end remaining in 
service after reaching its life limit. This condition could result 
in failure of a rod end and subsequent loss of control of a 
helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 27, 2017.

(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

    (1) Within 140 hours time-in-service, clean and identify each 
forward rod end with the spring assembly serial number in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3 through 5, and 7 
through 8, of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, 
dated February 26, 2015.
    (2) Do not install a forward rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 on any 
helicopter unless it has been marked with a serial number in 
accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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 Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, Chapter 4, 
Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 24, approved June 12, 
2015, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 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 the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
No. CF-2015-15 dated June 25, 2015. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2017-0078.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5101, Standard 
Practices/Structures.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated 
February 26, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Bell Helicopter 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, 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, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 2, 2017.
Lance T. Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12799 Filed 6-21-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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