Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 7, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40584-40586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14210]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0171; Product Identifier 2018-SW-028-AD; Amendment 
39-21155; AD 2020-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 214ST helicopters. This AD was prompted 
by the discovery of bolts with nonconforming external thread root 
radii. This AD requires removing the affected bolts from service and 
prohibits installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 11, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Bell Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 
telephone 817-280-3391; fax 817-280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0171; 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, any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M

[[Page 40585]]

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Haytham Alaidy, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
phone: 817-222-5224; fax: 817-222-4960; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Model 214ST 
helicopters with certain serial-numbered spindle to yoke bolts (bolts) 
part number (P/N) 214-010-262-103 installed. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on February 26, 2020 (85 FR 11003). The NPRM was 
prompted by the discovery of bolts with nonconforming external thread 
root radii. The NPRM proposed to require removing the affected bolts 
from service and would prohibit installing an affected bolt on any 
helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.
    Since the FAA issued the NPRM, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., 
changed its name to Bell Textron Inc. This AD reflects that change and 
updates the contact information.

Comments

    After the NPRM was published, the FAA received comments from the 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The following presents 
the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the 
comments.

Request for the FAA To Change the Applicability

    Request: EASA requested that the FAA revise the applicability of 
the AD to include all helicopters for which the affected P/N and S/N 
bolts are eligible for installation. EASA stated this revision should 
be made in order to fully prohibit (re)installation of the affected 
bolt on any (other) helicopter. EASA further stated that the NPRM's 
applicability paragraph ``excludes all helicopters that have another P/
N [bolt] installed, or the same P/N but another S/N installed, but for 
which installation of that P/N (and any S/N thereof) is likely 
eligible. Since the AD does not apply to those helicopters, none of the 
requirements of the AD would apply either.'' According to EASA, the 
prohibition in paragraph (g)(2) of the NPRM, which prohibits the 
installation on any helicopter of a bolt with a P/N and S/N listed in 
the applicability of the AD, could be legally disregarded by operators 
of helicopters that are outside the scope of the applicability of the 
AD.
    FAA Response: The FAA disagrees. Upon installation of a bolt with a 
P/N and S/N listed in the applicability, the AD applies to that 
helicopter, and the required actions of the AD must be complied with 
prior to approving the helicopter for return to service. These required 
actions include the installation prohibition in paragraph (e)(2) of the 
AD. Thus, the AD prohibits the installation of an affected bolt on any 
Bell Model 214ST helicopters after the effective date of the AD.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA has reviewed the relevant information, considered the 
comments received, and determined that an unsafe condition exists and 
is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design 
and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD 
requirements as proposed with the changes described previously. These 
changes are consistent with the intent proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition and will neither increase the economic 
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 
214ST-18-93 Revision A, dated April 17, 2019, for Model 214ST 
helicopters. This service information specifies inspecting the 
historical records and spare parts to determine the S/N of each bolt. 
If the S/N of the bolt indicates it is a non-conforming bolt, the 
service information specifies torque checking the bolt every 25 hours 
until the bolt reaches its life limit.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies torque checking the bolt every 25 
hours until it is replaced upon reaching its life limit, while this AD 
requires removing each bolt from service within 25 hours time-in-
service.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 16 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Replacing 1 bolt takes about 8 work-hours and parts cost about 
$7,073 for an estimated replacement cost of $7,753 per helicopter.
    The FAA has no way of determining the number of bolts that might 
need to be replaced.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, all costs are included in this cost estimate.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA determined that this AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD would 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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:

[[Page 40586]]

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):

2020-14-01 Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.): Amendment 39-21155; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0171; Product Identifier 2018-SW-028-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 214ST 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a spindle to yoke 
bolt (bolt) part number (P/N) 214-010-262-103 and serial number (S/
N) BH179163, BH179164, BH179169, BH179170, BH179171, BH179175, 
BH179176, BH179178, BH224783, BH224751, BH224756, BH224764, 
BH224765, BH383851, BH383853, BH383855, BH383856, BH383857, 
BH383858, BH383860, BH383861, BH383862, BH383864, BH383865, 
BH383868, BH383872, BH383873, BH383878, or BH383879 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery that bolts have 
nonconforming external thread root radii. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in the spindle separating from the yoke 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 11, 2020.

(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 25 hours time-in-service, remove from service each 
bolt listed in paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
helicopter a bolt with a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph (a) of this 
AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 
AD. Send your proposal to Haytham Alaidy, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: 
817-222-5224; fax: 817-222-4960; email: [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 
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) Related Information

    Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 214ST-18-93 
Revision A, dated April 17, 2019, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Textron Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone 817-280-
3391; fax 817-280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may 
view a copy of information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor.

    Issued on June 23, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14210 Filed 7-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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