[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32458-32460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13852]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0489; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-003-AD; 
Amendment 39-18175; AD 2015-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206L-1, 206L-3, and 
206L-4 helicopters. This AD requires installing a placard and revising 
the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This AD 
was prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel 
failures caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during 
steady-state operations. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent 
turbine failure, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective July 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: 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 the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the supplemental type 
certificate (STC), the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, the 
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) 
is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On June 7, 2013, at 78 FR 34282, 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 certain Bell Model 206L-3 
and 206L-4 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require installing a 
placard on the instrument panel below the dual tachometer and revising 
the Operating Limitations section of the Model 206L-3 and 206L-4 RFMs 
by inserting pages that limit steady-state operations between speeds of 
71.8% and 91.5%. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent 
turbine failure, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by TCCA AD No. CF-2005-28R1, dated June 14, 
2007, to correct an unsafe condition for certain Model 206L-3 and 206L-
4 helicopters. TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada, 
advises of several failures of third stage turbine wheels used in 
Rolls-Royce 250-C30S and 250-C47B engines. According to TCCA, Rolls-
Royce determined that detrimental vibrations can occur within a 
particular range of turbine speeds, and may be a contributing factor to 
these failures. Bell has revised the RFM and provided a corresponding 
decal to inform pilots to avoid steady-state operations between 71.8% 
and 91.5% turbine speeds. The TCCA AD requires amending the RFMs, 
advising pilots of the change, and installing a decal as described in 
Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206L-05-134, dated June 8, 2005, 
or later revisions.
    On October 3, 2014, at 79 FR 59695, the Federal Register published 
our supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM), which proposed 
to revise the applicability and change the procedures for updating the 
RFM. The SNPRM proposed adding Bell Model 206L-1 helicopters with 
Engine Upgrade Kit part number (P/N) 206-706-520 installed, to the 
applicability. Engine Upgrade Kit P/N 206-706-520 replaces the Rolls-
Royce 250-C28B engine with a Rolls-Royce 250-C30P engine. The condition 
causing the failures of third stage turbine wheels used in Rolls-Royce 
250-C30S and 250-C-47B engines could also exist in Rolls-Royce 250-C30P 
engines. The SNPRM

[[Page 32459]]

also proposed removing Bell Model 206L-3 and 206L-4 helicopters having 
Rolls-Royce 250-C20R engines installed under STC No. SR00036SE from the 
applicability because that engine is not affected by the unsafe 
condition. The SNPRM also proposed changing the procedures for 
modifying the RFM Limitations Section from inserting revised RFM pages 
to inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM or by making pen and ink 
changes.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to comment on the SNPRM (79 FR 
59695, October 3, 2014) but we received no comments.

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, TCCA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the TCCA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by TCCA, reviewed the relevant information, 
considered the comment received, 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 TCCA AD

    The TCCA AD requires compliance within 10 calendar days; this AD 
requires compliance within 30 days. This AD is applicable to Model 
206L-1 helicopters with Engine Upgrade Kit P/N 206-706-520 installed 
because the same unsafe condition exits on this model, and the TCCA AD 
is not.

Related Service Information

    Bell issued ASB No. 206L-05-134, Revision A, dated April 9, 2007, 
which describes procedures for installing a placard on the instrument 
panel below the main rotor RPM (Nr)/power turbine RPM (N2) dual 
tachometer and for inserting the RFM changes into the flight manual. 
Revision A of the ASB was issued to exclude Bell Model 206L-3 and 206L-
4 helicopters with 250-C20R engines installed under STC No. SR00036SE 
from the requirements of the ASB.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 616 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per 
work-hour, amending the RFM requires about 0.5 work-hour, for a cost 
per helicopter of about $43 and a cost to U.S. operators of $26,488. 
Installing the decal requires about 0.2 work-hour, and required parts 
cost $20, for a cost per helicopter of $37 and a cost to U.S. operators 
of $22,792. Based on these estimates, the total cost of this AD is $80 
per helicopter and $49,280 for the 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.
    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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; 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):

2015-12-02 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell): Amendment 
39-18175; Docket No. FAA-2013-0489; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-
003-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) Bell Model 206L-1 with an Engine Upgrade Kit part number (P/
N) 206-706-520-101 installed;
    (2) Bell Model 206L-3, serial number (S/N) 51001 through 51612, 
except those with a Rolls-Royce 250-C20R engine installed under 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SR00036SE; and
    (3) Bell Model 206L-4, S/N 52001 through 52313, except those 
with a Rolls-Royce 250-C20R engine installed under STC No. 
SR00036SE.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a third stage turbine 
vibration, which could result in turbine failure, engine power loss, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 14, 2015.

(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 30 days:
    (1) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-117, or equivalent, on the 
instrument panel directly below the dual tachometer.
    (2) Revise the Operating Limitations section of the Rotorcraft 
Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM or 
by making pen and ink changes as follows:
    (i) In the Power Plant section, beneath the Power Turbine RPM 
header, add: Avoid continuous operations 71.8% to 91.5%.
    (ii) In the Placards and Decals section, add: ``AVOID CONT OPS 
71.8% TO 91.5% N2'' with the location identification ``Location: 
Instrument Panel.''

[[Page 32460]]

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-05-134, Revision A, 
dated April 9, 2007, 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, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.
    (2) STC No. SR00036SE, amended October 20, 1995; and reissued 
January 23, 2014, may be found on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2013-0489.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada 
Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD No. CF-2005-28R1, dated June 14, 2007. You 
may view the TCCA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in Docket No. FAA-2013-0489.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7250, Turbine 
Section.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 29, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-13852 Filed 6-8-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P