Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. and Various Restricted Category Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 187 (Thursday, September 26, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78791-78793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22095]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2319; Project Identifier AD-2024-00498-R; 
Amendment 39-22859; AD 2024-19-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. and Various 
Restricted Category Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Textron Inc. Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, and 212 
helicopters and various restricted category helicopters with certain 
part-numbered tension torsion (TT) straps installed by supplemental 
type certificate (STC) No. SR03408CH. This AD was prompted by an 
accident involving failure of a TT strap. This AD requires removing the 
specified part-numbered TT straps from service and prohibits installing 
those TT straps. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 11, 2024.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2319; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hanley, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (847) 
294-8140; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2319; Project 
Identifier AD-2024-00498-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Brian 
Hanley, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 
67209; phone: (847) 294-8140; email: [email protected]. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    This AD was prompted by an accident involving a Bell Textron Inc. 
Model 212 helicopter, which experienced a separation of a main rotor 
blade from the main rotor head and subsequent impact into terrain 
shortly after takeoff. Initial investigation determined the TT strap 
failed at 664 total hours time-in-service (TIS). Investigations into 
individual wire failure mechanisms are ongoing with early indications 
suggesting some wires possibly failed in tensile overload and others in 
fatigue. Bell Textron Inc. Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 210 
helicopters and various restricted category helicopters are also 
affected by this unsafe condition since the affected TT straps may also 
be installed on these model helicopters.
    This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of a main 
rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the agency determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other 
products of the same type designs.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removing TT straps part numbers AA-204-310-101-
101, AA-204-310-101-101C, AA-204-310-101-103, and AA-204-310-101-103C 
installed by STC No. SR03408CH from service and prohibits installing 
those TT straps on any helicopter.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action 
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to

[[Page 78792]]

make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good 
cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because an affected TT strap was involved in an accident in which the 
TT strap failed, resulting in the main rotor blade detaching from the 
main rotor head. Failure of an affected TT strap could occur at any 
time without any previous indications and result in a sudden and 
catastrophic condition. Thus, an urgent unsafe condition exists and the 
required actions must be done within 50 hours TIS, a time period of up 
to two months based on the average flight-hour utilization rates of 
these helicopters. However, a significant portion of these helicopters 
in the U.S. fleet are high usage helicopters, which have an increased 
likelihood of occurrence of a failure and will reach the compliance 
time within a period of approximately one week based on the average 
flight-hour utilization rates of these helicopters. Accordingly, notice 
and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary 
to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 120 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD.
    Replacing the TT straps (two TT straps per helicopter) will take 10 
work-hours and parts will cost $18,000 for an estimated cost of $18,850 
per helicopter and $2,262,000 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.
    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

    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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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:

2024-19-17 Bell Textron Inc. and Various Restricted Category 
Helicopters: Amendment 39-22859; Docket No. FAA-2024-2319; Project 
Identifier AD-2024-00498-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 11, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the helicopters identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (2) of this AD with tension torsion (TT) straps part-
number AA-204-310-101-101, AA-204-310-101-101C, AA-204-310-101-103, 
or AA-204-310-101-103C installed in accordance with Supplemental 
Type Certificate No. SR03408CH.
    (1) Bell Textron Inc. Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, and 
212 helicopters, certificated in any category; and
    (2) The various restricted category helicopters identified in 
paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (xiii) of this AD.
    (i) Model 209/AH-1G helicopters; current type certificate 
holders include, but are not limited to, Attack Logistics LLC.
    (ii) Model AH-1S helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, US Helicopter, Inc.
    (iii) Model HH-1K helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Midwest Aerospace TC LLC.
    (iv) Model SW205A-1 helicopters; current type certificate 
holders include, but are not limited to, Southwest Florida Aviation 
International, Inc.
    (v) Model TH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Midwest Aerospace TC LLC, Robinson 
Air Crane, Inc., and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.
    (vi) Model TH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc., Midwest 
Aerospace TC LLC, and Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.
    (vii) Model UH-1A helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.
    (viii) Model UH-1B helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, International Helicopters, Inc., 
Midwest Aerospace TC LLC, Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc., Red Tail 
Flying Services LLC, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc., Southwest 
Florida Aviation International, Inc., and WSH, LLC.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c)(2)(viii): Helicopters with an SW204 or 
SW204HP designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, 
Inc., Model UH-1B helicopters.
    (ix) Model UH-1E helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc., Midwest 
Aerospace TC LLC, Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc., Smith 
Helicopters, and West Coast Fabrications.
    (x) Model UH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, AST, Inc., California Department of 
Forestry, Midwest Aerospace TC LLC, Robinson Air Crane, Inc., and 
Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.
    (xi) Model UH-1H helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not

[[Page 78793]]

limited to, Arrow Falcon Exporters Inc., Global Helicopter 
Technology, Inc., Hagglund Helicopters, LLC, JJASPP Engineering 
Services, LLC., Midwest Aerospace TC LLC, Northwest Rotorcraft, LLC, 
Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc., Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc., 
Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., and Tamarack 
Helicopters, Inc.
    Note 2 to paragraph (c)(2)(xi): Helicopters with an SW205 
designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., 
Model UH-1H helicopters.
    (xii) Model UH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc., Midwest 
Aerospace TC LLC, and Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.
    (xiii) Model UH-1P helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Midwest Aerospace TC LLC and 
Robinson Air Crane, Inc.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotorcraft 
flight control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an accident involving failure of a TT 
strap, which resulted in the main rotor blade detaching from the 
main rotor head. The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of a 
TT strap. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Remove the TT straps from service and replace them with 
airworthy TT straps at the compliance time required by paragraphs 
(g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (i) For TT straps that as of the effective date of this AD have 
accumulated 350 or more total hours time-in-service (TIS) since 
first installation on any helicopter, within 50 hours TIS after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (ii) For TT straps that as of the effective date of this AD have 
accumulated less than 350 total hours TIS since first installation 
on any helicopter, before the TT straps accumulate 400 total hours 
TIS since first installation on any helicopter.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install the TT 
straps identified in the introductory text of paragraph (c) of this 
AD on any helicopter.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Central Certification Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the Central Certification Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this 
AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Brian Hanley, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1801 S Airport Road, Wichita, KS 
67209; phone: (847) 294-8140; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on September 23, 2024.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-22095 Filed 9-23-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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