Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22697-22699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10305]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0740; Product Identifier 2016-SW-045-AD; Amendment 
39-19631; AD 2019-08-10]
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 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-
1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting and 
cleaning the oil supply restrictor (restrictor) to the freewheel 
assembly. This AD was prompted by reports of a blocked oil line 
restrictor in the freewheel lubrication system. The actions of this AD 
are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 24, 2019.

[[Page 22698]]


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.

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-2018-
0740; 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, 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: David Hatfield, 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

    On August 21, 2018, at 83 FR 42232, 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 206A, 206B, 
206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting and cleaning the freewheel oil supply system, and if 
there is blockage in the restrictor, disassembling and inspecting the 
freewheel assembly for condition and wear. Additionally, for Model 
206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, the NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the reducer with a filter, part number 
50-075-1. The proposed requirements were intended to detect blockage in 
the restrictor, which could cause failure of the freewheel assembly, 
failure of the main rotor mast, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD No. CF-2016-13, dated 
May 2, 2016 (AD No. CF-2016-13), issued by Transport Canada, which is 
the aviation authority for Canada, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 
helicopters. Transport Canada advises that they have received two 
reports of torsional overload failure of the main rotor mast caused by 
a blocked restrictor in the freewheel lubrication system. Transport 
Canada states the restrictor may become contaminated during 
maintenance, causing blockage. Transport Canada further states that a 
blocked restrictor could cause the freewheel assembly to malfunction 
and result in failure of the main rotor mast and loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    Additionally, the Canadian AD advises that although certain later 
versions of these helicopters are equipped with a filter in the 
freewheel lubrication system that is designed to trap contaminants and 
prevent blockage of the restrictor, installation of the filter does not 
guarantee the restrictor will remain free of contaminants. According to 
Transport Canada, one occurrence of restrictor blockage resulted from 
contaminants being introduced downstream from the filter, which 
subsequently caused failure of the freewheel assembly. For these 
reasons, AD No. CF-2016-13 requires inspecting and cleaning the 
restrictors and filters, and depending on helicopter model, replacing 
the reducer with a filter. Additionally, AD No. CF-2016-13 requires a 
repetitive on-condition cleaning and inspection of the freewheel oil 
supply system.
    The NPRM stated the incorrect date of May 16, 2016, for AD No. CF-
2016-13. The correct issue date is May 2, 2016. We have corrected the 
date throughout this Final Rule.
    In addition, the ``Costs of Compliance'' section in the preamble of 
the NPRM incorrectly provides the estimated cost ``per inspection 
cycle.'' However, the inspection and cleaning requirements are one-time 
requirements. ``Per inspection cycle'' has been removed in this section 
of the Final Rule. In this regard, we have added a section titled 
``Differences Between this AD and the Transport Canada AD'' to this 
Final Rule to advise that the Transport Canada AD contains repetitive 
requirements and this AD does not.

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 of the 
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 includes a repetitive on-condition cleaning 
and inspection of the freewheel oil supply system any time the 
freewheel oil supply system is opened upstream of the restrictor. This 
AD does not require this type of repetitive on-condition cleaning and 
inspection because it could be difficult to track.

Related Service Information

    Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-14-132 for Model 
206A/B and TH-67 helicopters; ASB 206L-14-174 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 
206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters; and ASB 407-14-106 for Model 407 
helicopters. Each ASB is Revision A and dated February 9, 2016. This 
service information specifies removing, cleaning, inspecting, and 
reinstalling certain freewheel assembly components. ASB 206-14-132 and 
ASB 206L-14-174 also contain procedures for replacing the reducer with 
a filter if not already installed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 2,227 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD.
    At an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour, inspecting and 
cleaning the freewheel oil supply system requires about 1 work-hour, 
for a cost per helicopter of $85 and $189,295 for the U.S. fleet.
    If required, inspecting the freewheel assembly requires about 1 
work-hour, for a cost per helicopter of $85.
    If required, replacing a restrictor with a filter requires about 1 
work-hour and required parts cost $125, for a cost per helicopter of 
$210.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,

[[Page 22699]]

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, 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):

2019-08-10 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell): Amendment 
39-19631; Docket No. FAA-2018-0740; Product Identifier 2016-SW-045-
AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 
206L-4, and 407 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a blocked oil line 
restrictor. This condition could cause failure of the freewheel 
assembly, which could result in failure of the main rotor mast and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 24, 2019.

(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 100 hours time-in-service:
    (1) For all helicopters:
    (i) Inspect the oil line restrictor for blockage. If there is 
any blockage in the restrictor, before further flight, inspect the 
freewheel assembly clutch, inner shaft, outer shaft, forward seal, 
cap, and bearings for wear, corrosion, nicks, scratches, and cracks; 
the splines for wear, cracks, chipped teeth, and broken teeth; the 
housing for flaking; and for free rotation and engagement of the 
clutch and bearing. If there is any damage that exceeds allowable 
limits or if the clutch or bearing does not engage or freely rotate, 
before further flight, repair or replace the freewheel assembly.
    (ii) Clean, inspect, and flush each removed fitting, restrictor, 
tube, hose, and filter with dry cleaning solvent. Do not approve for 
return to service until each restrictor is free from contamination.
    (2) For Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters with a reducer, replace the reducer with a filter part 
number 50-075-1.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(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: 
David Hatfield, 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 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-14-132, ASB 
206L-14-174, and ASB 407-14-106, all Revision A and dated February 
9, 2016, 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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
No. CF-2016-13, dated May 2, 2016. You may view the Transport Canada 
AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-
2018-0740.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300, Main Rotor 
Drive System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 3, 2019.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-10305 Filed 5-17-19; 8:45 am]
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