Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53366-53368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23037]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0254; Product Identifier 2017-SW-116-AD; Amendment 
39-19473; AD 2018-21-15]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-13-03 for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. AD 
2017-13-03 required adding an identification number to life-limited rod 
ends that do not have a serial number (S/N). Since we issued AD 2017-
13-03, an additional life-limited rod end was identified that is 
affected by the same unsafe condition. This new AD retains the 
requirements of AD 2017-13-03 and revises the Applicability paragraph 
by adding that rod end. The actions of this AD are intended to address 
an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 27, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 27, 
2017 (82 FR 28397, June 22, 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 this referenced service

[[Page 53367]]

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-2018-0254.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2018-0254; 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 
AD, any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address 
for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is Docket Operations, 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: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to remove AD 2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, June 
22, 2017) (AD 2017-13-03) and add a new AD. AD 2017-13-03 applied to 
Bell Model 429 helicopters, S/N 57001 through 57260, with a pylon 
restraint spring assembly (spring assembly) forward rod end assembly 
(rod end) part number (P/N) 427-010-210-105 installed. AD 2017-13-03 
required cleaning and marking each forward rod end with the S/N of the 
spring assembly. AD 2017-13-03 also prohibited the installation of 
forward rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 on any helicopter unless it had 
been marked.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2018 (83 FR 
14606). The NPRM was prompted by AD No. CF-2015-15R1, Revision 1, dated 
July 28, 2017, issued by Transport Canada, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of Canada, 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 spring 
assembly rod end P/Ns 427-010-210-105 and -109 have a life limit of 
5,000 hours; however, they are not serialized, causing difficulties in 
tracking 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.
    Accordingly, the NPRM proposed to continue to retain the 
requirements of AD 2017-13-03 and revise the Applicability paragraph by 
adding aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 since it is also affected by the 
same unsafe condition. The proposed requirements were intended to 
prevent a rod end from remaining in service after reaching its life 
limit, which could result in failure of the rod end and subsequent loss 
of control of a helicopter.

Comments

    After our NPRM was published, we received a comment from one 
commenter.

Request

    Bell noted a typographical error in the ``Actions Since AD 2017-13-
03 Was Issued'' section of the preamble, which incorrectly referred to 
rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 instead of P/N 427-010-210-109.
    We agree with the comment. However, since the text with the error 
is not restated in the preamble of this Final Rule, no change is 
necessary.

FAA's Determination

    We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an 
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

    We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated 
February 26, 2015, for Model 429 helicopters. 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 Helicopter Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, 
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, approved 
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 75 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD.
    Marking the rod ends takes about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated 
cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,225 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing a 
rod end that has exceeded its life limit takes about 3 work-hours and 
required parts cost about $4,100 for an estimated 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 products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that 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),

[[Page 53368]]

    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that a regulatory distinction is required, 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, June 22, 2017), and adding 
the following new AD:

2018-21-15 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
19473; Docket No. FAA-2018-0254; Product Identifier 2017-SW-116-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 assembly (rod end) part number (P/N) 427-
010-210-105 or aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 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) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, 
June 22, 2017).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 27, 2018.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 140 hours time-in-service, clean and identify each 
rod end with the spring assembly serial number in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3. 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 or an 
aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 on any helicopter unless it has been 
marked with a serial number in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Helicopter Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, Chapter 4, 
Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, approved 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 a copy of the 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-2015-15R1, Revision 1, dated July 28, 2017. You may view the 
Transport Canada AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0254.

(i) Subject

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

(j) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 27, 2017.
    (i) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated 
February 26, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) 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/.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 October 15, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-23037 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
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