[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 32 (Friday, February 17, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10976-10978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02863]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0078; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-026-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. 
This proposed AD would require adding an identification number to life-
limited rod ends that do not have a serial number (S/N). The proposed 
actions are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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-2017-
0078 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 proposed AD, the Transport Canada AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2015-15, dated June 25, 2015, to correct an unsafe 
condition for Bell Model 429 helicopters, S/Ns 57001 through 57260. 
Transport Canada advises that, per its regulations, life-limited parts 
must be marked with their part number (P/N) and S/N. Transport Canada 
further states that the pylon restraint spring assembly (spring 
assembly) rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 has a life limit of 5,000 hours; 
however, it is not serialized, causing difficulties in tracking its 
accumulated air time. According to Transport Canada, this condition 
could result in a rod end remaining in service beyond its life limit. 
Therefore, the Transport Canada AD requires adding identification 
markings on each spring assembly rod end.

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 proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bell Helicopter has issued Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated 
February 26, 2015. This service information specifies procedures for 
permanently marking each forward and aft rod end with the S/N of the 
spring assembly. This service information

[[Page 10977]]

applies to certain serial-numbered helicopters, as subsequent 
helicopters will have these actions performed during the manufacturing 
process.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Bell Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, 
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 24, approved 
June 12, 2015, which specifies airworthiness life limits and inspection 
intervals for parts installed on Model 429 helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require cleaning and marking each forward 
rod end with the S/N of the spring assembly. This proposed AD would 
also prohibit installing a forward rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 on any 
helicopter unless it has been marked in accordance with this proposed 
AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 70 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. 
Marking the rod ends would take about 0.5 work-hour for a total 
estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,010 for the U.S. fleet. 
Replacing a rod end that has exceeded its life limit would take about 3 
work-hours and required parts would cost about $4,100 for an estimated 
replacement cost of $4,355 per rod end.

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 products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed 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, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2017-0078; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-026-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model 429 helicopters, serial number 57001 
through 57260, with a pylon restraint spring assembly (spring 
assembly) forward rod end (rod end) part number (P/N) 427-010-210-
105 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a rod end remaining in 
service after reaching its life limit. This condition could result 
in failure of a rod end and subsequent loss of control of a 
helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 18, 2017.

(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 140 hours time-in-service, clean and identify each 
forward rod end with the spring assembly serial number in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3 through 5, and 7 
through 8, of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, 
dated February 26, 2015.
    (2) Do not install a forward rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 on any 
helicopter unless it has been marked with a serial number in 
accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, Chapter 4, 
Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 24, approved June 12, 
2015, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional 
information about the subject of this proposed rule. For service 
information identified in this proposed 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
No. CF-2015-15 dated June 25, 2015. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD 
Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5101 Standard 
Practices/Structures.


[[Page 10978]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 30, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02863 Filed 2-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P