Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32201-32203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14701]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0757; Product Identifier 2017-SW-022-AD; Amendment 
39-19327; AD 2018-14-07]
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 certain 
serial numbered Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 429 
helicopters. This AD requires marking a serial number on life-limited 
forward spars and actuator fitting assemblies. The actions of this AD 
are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 16, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of August 16, 
2018.

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-
0757.

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-
0757; 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 AD, the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (Transport Canada) AD, any 
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Helene Gandy, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5413; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On January 26, 2018, at 83 FR 3628, 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, serial number (S/N) 57150, 57168, 57176, 57210 through 
57216, 57265, 57266, 57267, and 57287, with a forward spar part number 
(P/N) 429-031-213-103 or 429-031-213-104 or actuator fitting assembly 
P/N 429-031-222-101 or 429-031-222-102 installed.
    The NPRM proposed to require marking a serial number on life-
limited forward spars and actuator fitting assemblies. The proposed 
requirements were intended to prevent the forward spar or actuator 
fitting assembly from remaining in service after reaching its life 
limit. This condition could result in failure of a forward spar or 
actuator fitting assembly and subsequent collapse of the landing gear.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. CF-2017-02, dated January 16, 2017, 
issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, 
to correct an unsafe condition for Bell Model 429 helicopters, S/N 
57150, 57168, 57176, 57210, 57211 through 57216, 57265, 57266, 57267, 
and 57287. Transport Canada advises that forward spars P/N 429-031-213-
103 and 429-031-213-104 and actuator fitting assembly P/N 429-031-222-
101 and 429-031-222-102 have life limits of 30,000 and 19,000 
Retirement Index Numbers, respectively. However, Transport Canada 
states these parts are not serialized, and therefore their accumulated 
usage is difficult to track, which creates a risk that these parts 
could remain in service beyond their life limits. This condition could 
result in failure of the part.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no 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 
the Transport Canada 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 these same type designs and that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

    The Transport Canada AD requires compliance within 12 months from 
its effective date, unless already accomplished. This AD requires 
compliance within 800 hours time-in-service.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-16-34, dated 
November 10, 2016, which specifies

[[Page 32202]]

procedures for permanently marking each forward spar and actuator 
fitting assembly with the serial number of the helicopter.
    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 Helicopter Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-
429-MM-1, Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, 
dated September 9, 2016, which specifies airworthiness life limits and 
inspection intervals for parts installed on Model 429 helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 6 helicopters of U.S. Registry and 
that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. We estimate that marking 
the forward spars and actuator fitting assemblies requires 1 work-hour, 
and no parts are needed. Based on these estimates, we expect a total 
cost of $85 per helicopter and $510 for the U.S. 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):

2018-14-07 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
19327; Docket No. FAA-2017-0757; Product Identifier 2017-SW-022-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 
429 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 57150, 57168, 57176, 57210 
through 57216, 57265, 57266, 57267, and 57287, with a forward spar 
part number (P/N) 429-031-213-103 or 429-031-213-104 or actuator 
fitting assembly P/N 429-031-222-101 or 429-031-222-102 installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a forward spar or 
actuator fitting assembly remaining in service after reaching its 
life limit. This condition could result in failure of a forward spar 
or actuator fitting assembly and subsequent collapse of the landing 
gear.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 16, 2018.

(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 800 hours time-in-service, clean and identify each 
forward spar and actuator fitting assembly with the helicopter 
serial number in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3 through 5 and with reference to Figure 1 of Bell 
Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-16-34, dated November 10, 
2016.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
forward spar P/N 429-031-213-103 or 429-031-213-104 or actuator 
fitting assembly P/N 429-031-222-101 or 429-031-222-102 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 Section, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Helene Gandy, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
(817) 222-5413; 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 Helicopter Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, 
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, dated 
September 9, 2016, 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-2017-02, dated January 16, 2017. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2017-0757.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 1100, Placards and 
Markings.

(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 429-16-34, dated 
November 10, 2016.

[[Page 32203]]

    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 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 1, 2018.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14701 Filed 7-11-18; 8:45 am]
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