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

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 147 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45779-45780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16490]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0598; Product Identifier 2018-SW-030-AD; Amendment 
39-21194; AD 2020-16-10]
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 
certain Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 
214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. This AD was prompted 
by a report of a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip (comfort clip) 
interfering with the seat belt inertia reel. This AD requires removing 
comfort clips from service and inspecting the seat belt shoulder 
harness (harness) for a rip or an abrasion. The actions of this AD are 
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 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-2018-
0598; 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 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12 140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management 
Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5198; 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 204B, 205A, 
205A-1, 205B, 212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters with 
a comfort clip part number (P/N) D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, or 
504636-401 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
April 6, 2020 (85 FR, 19113). The NPRM was prompted by a series of 
service bulletins issued by Bell reporting an issue with comfort clip 
P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401, which are 
installed on seat belt assemblies. A design review by Leonardo S.p.A. 
Helicopter (formerly Agusta S.p.A., Finmeccanica S.p.A.) indicates the 
use of the affected comfort clips could jeopardize, in cases of impact 
or deceleration, the correct functionality of the seat belt or the seat 
belt inertia reel. The NPRM proposed to require removing comfort clips 
P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401from service and 
inspecting each harness for a rip or an abrasion. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

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

FAA's Determination

    The FAA has reviewed the relevant information and determined that 
an 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.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 204B-15-70 for 
Model 204B helicopters, Bell ASB 205-15-113 for Model 205A and 205A-1 
helicopters, Bell ASB 205B-15-66 for Model 205B helicopters, Bell ASB 
212-15-156 for Model 212 helicopters, Bell ASB 412-15-170 for Model 412 
and 412EP helicopters, and Bell ASB 412CF-15-60 for Model 412CF 
helicopters, all dated January 20, 2016. The FAA also reviewed Bell ASB 
214-15-76, dated January 11, 2016, for Model 214B and 214B-1 
helicopters. This service information specifies removing the comfort 
clips from all crew and passenger seat belt assemblies.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies a compliance time of within 100 
flight hours or no later than February 21, 2016, and does not specify 
inspecting each harness for a rip and an abrasion. This AD requires a 
compliance time of within 50 hours TIS and requires inspecting each 
harness for a rip and an abrasion. The FAA determined that including an 
inspection for harness damage is necessary to correct the unsafe 
condition.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 210 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.
    Removing a comfort clip takes about 0.5 work-hour, for an estimated 
cost of $43 per comfort clip.

[[Page 45780]]

    Inspecting a harness takes about 0.25 work-hour, for an estimated 
cost of $21 per harness.
    If required, replacing a harness takes about 1 work-hour and parts 
cost about $1,050 for an estimated replacement cost of $1,135 per 
harness.

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 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. 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:

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):

2020-16-10 Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.): Amendment 39-21194; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0598; Product Identifier 2018-SW-030-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 
205A-1, 205B, 212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a shoulder harness seat belt 
comfort clip (comfort clip) part numbers (P/Ns) D7LZ-6560286-A, 
D7LZ-6560286-B, or 504636-401, installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a comfort clip 
interfering with the seat belt inertia reel. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent the seat belt from locking. This condition could 
result in injury to the occupant during an emergency landing.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 3, 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 50 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Remove from service each comfort clip P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, 
D7LZ-6560286-B, or 504636-401 from the shoulder harness seat belt 
(harness).
    (ii) Inspect each harness for a rip and an abrasion. If there is 
a rip or any abrasion, before further flight, remove from service 
the harness.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install comfort 
clip P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, or 504636-401 on any 
helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 
AD. Send your proposal to: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program 
Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5198; 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 204B-15-70 for 
Model 204B helicopters, Bell ASB 205-15-113 for Model 205A and 205A-
1 helicopters, Bell ASB 205B-15-66 for Model 205B helicopters, Bell 
ASB 212-15-156 for Model 212 helicopters, Bell ASB 412-15-170 for 
Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, and Bell ASB 412CF-15-60 for Model 
412CF helicopters, all dated January 20, 2016, and Bell ASB 214-15-
76, dated January 11, 2016, for Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, 
all of which are not incorporated by reference, contain 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 the 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: 2500, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

    Issued on July 24, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-16490 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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