[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 67 (Monday, April 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17103-17107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06710]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0189; Directorate Identifier 2017-SW-008-AD; 
Amendment 39-18847; AD 2017-05-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD 
requires inspecting the condenser blower motor (motor) and condenser 
blower (blower) to determine if the motor is securely attached to the 
blower support (shroud). This AD is prompted by a report that the motor 
detached from the blower. The actions of this AD are intended to 
prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 25, 2017 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2017-05-51, issued on March 3, 2017, which contains the requirements of 
this AD.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of April 25, 2017. 
We must receive comments on this AD by June 9, 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-
0189; 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, any incorporated by reference service information, 
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 final rule, contact Air 
Comm Corporation, 1575 West 124th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80234; 
telephone: (303) 440-4075 (during business hours) or (720) 233-8330 
(after hours); email: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.aircommcorp.com/contact. 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. It is 
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0189.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Bryant, Aerospace Engineer, 
Denver Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Technical Operations Center, 
26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver CO 80249; phone (303) 342-
1092; fax (303) 342-1088; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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 resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we

[[Page 17104]]

receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    On March 3, 2017, we issued Emergency AD 2017-05-51 to correct an 
unsafe condition on Bell Model 429 helicopters with an Air Comm 
Corporation (Air Comm) air conditioning system part number (P/N) 429EC-
200 or 429EC-202 installed. Emergency AD 2017-05-51 was sent previously 
to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. Emergency 
AD 2017-05-51 requires inspecting the motor and blower to determine if 
the motor is securely attached to the shroud.
    Emergency AD 2017-05-51 was prompted by a report that the motor 
detached from the blower. The motor is secured to the shroud by three 
screw fasteners with thread locker applied. The report states that the 
detached motor was resting on the flight controls.
    An initial investigation indicates that the motor mount fasteners 
may not have had the thread locker adhesive applied during production. 
However, the root cause is under investigation. The motor fell on the 
collective control tube, causing wear damage to the control tube. The 
motor's power wiring also was on the collective control tube near 
hydraulic and fuel lines. The actions in Emergency AD 2017-05-51 are 
intended to prevent the motor from detaching, causing failure of the 
primary flight controls and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Air Comm Service Bulletin 429-201-1, Revision NC, dated 
February 17, 2017 (SB 429-201-1), which advises inspecting the motor to 
determine whether it is attached to the blower assembly within 20 
flight hours. If the motor is not attached to the blower assembly, SB 
429-201-1 advises reporting the detachment to Air Comm and inspecting 
the surrounding area for damage. If any surrounding parts are damaged, 
SB 429-201-1 specifies replacing or repairing the damaged parts. SB 
429-201-1 then specifies replacing the blower assembly if parts are 
available and deactivating the air conditioning system if parts are not 
available. SB 429-201-1 also provides instructions if any P/N MS27039-
1-15 fasteners are missing or loose or if the motor is not secured 
firmly to the blower assembly. These instructions include rotating the 
fan blades by hand and verifying the clearance between the blades and 
the shroud. If the fan blades are scraping or rubbing against the 
shroud or if the blades cause visible damage to the shroud, SB 429-201-
1 advises replacing the blower assembly if parts are available. If 
parts are not available, SB 429-201-1 advises deactivating the air 
conditioning system. If the motor is secure, SB 429-201-1 provides 
instructions for replacing any missing fasteners and removing and 
reinstalling any existing fasteners with thread locker.
    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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before further flight and at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspecting the air conditioner 
condenser blower for motor attachment and for missing or loose 
fasteners. If the motor is not attached or if a fastener is missing or 
loose, this AD requires deactivating the air conditioning system. If 
the motor is not attached, this AD also requires inspecting the 
collective flight control tube, the area under the forward transmission 
cowling, and each wiring harness, and depending on the findings, 
repairing or replacing the affected parts. Additionally, if the motor 
is not attached or if the motor is attached but any fasteners are 
missing, this AD requires inspecting for and removing any found 
detached hardware. Deactivating the air conditioning system constitutes 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD. 
This AD also requires reporting certain information to the FAA within 
10 days.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    SB 429-201-1 advises performing the initial inspection within 20 
hours TIS. This AD requires the initial inspection before further 
flight. SB 429-201-1 advises reporting certain incidents to Air Comm, 
whereas this AD requires reporting certain information to the FAA. SB 
429-201-1 does not specify inspecting for and removing missing 
hardware, whereas this AD does. If replacement parts are available, SB 
429-201-1 advises replacing the blower, while this AD makes no 
allowance for replacing the blower except by alternate means of 
compliance. If fasteners are missing or loose but the motor is secure, 
SB 429-201-1 advises replacing missing fasteners and removing and 
reinstalling existing fasteners with thread locker and a torque stripe. 
This AD requires removing the blower assembly if fasteners are missing 
or loose but the motor is still secure. SB 429-201-1 does not require 
repetitive inspections, while this AD requires the inspection every 25 
hours time-in-service until the air conditioning system is deactivated.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. The inspection report 
that is required by this AD will enable us to obtain better insight 
into the cause of the motor's detachment, and help us develop final 
action to address this unsafe condition. The design approval holder is 
also currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, 
approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 78 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Inspecting the motor attachment requires 1 work-hour and 
no parts for a total cost of $85 per helicopter, and $6,630 for the 
U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle.
     Removing the motor and deactivating the air conditioning 
requires 2 work-hours and no parts for a total cost of $170 per 
helicopter.
     Removing the blower assembly and deactivating the air 
conditioning requires 13 work-hours and no parts for a total cost of 
$1,105 per helicopter.
     Reporting the findings to the FAA requires 1 work-hour and 
no parts for a total cost of $85 per helicopter.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The

[[Page 17105]]

paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in the Costs 
of Compliance section of this document and includes time for reviewing 
instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the collection of 
information. Therefore, all reporting required by this AD is mandatory. 
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for 
reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at 800 Independence 
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we found and 
continue to find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to the adoption of this rule because the 
required initial inspection must be accomplished before further flight 
and the recurring inspection must be accomplished at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours TIS. These helicopters, typically used for police and 
medical transport, are expected to reach 25 hours TIS within a few 
weeks.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comments before issuing this AD 
were impracticable and contrary to public interest and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by Emergency AD 2017-05-
51, issued on March 3, 2017, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
these helicopters. These conditions still exists and the AD is hereby 
published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to 
all persons.

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 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, 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):

2017-05-51 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada: Amendment 39-18847; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0189; Directorate Identifier 2017-SW-008-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 429 
helicopters with an Air Comm Corporation air conditioning system part 
number (P/N) 429EC-200 or 429EC-202 installed, certificated in any 
category.
    Note 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD: Air conditioning system P/N 
429EC-200 and 429EC-202 are identifiable by a three-screw installation 
as depicted in Figure 1 of Air Comm Corporation Service Bulletin 429-
201-1, Revision NC, dated February 17, 2017 (SB 429-201-1).

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a condenser blower motor 
(motor) detaching from the condenser blower support (shroud). This 
condition could lead to failure of the primary flight controls and 
subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 25, 2017 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2017-05-51, issued on March 3, 2017, which contains the requirements of 
this AD.

(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

    Before further flight, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 
hours time-in-service:
    (1) Inspect the motor and condenser blower to determine whether the 
motor is attached to the shroud.
    (i) If the motor is not attached, before further flight:
    (A) Inspect the collective flight control tube for loss of 
protective primer, a scratch, any gouging, and a dent. If there is any 
loss of protective primer, a scratch, any gouging, or a dent, repair or 
replace the control tube.
    (B) Inspect the area under the forward transmission cowling for 
loss of protective primer, a scratch, any gouging, and a dent. Inspect 
each wiring harness for any cuts, chafing, and exposed wires. If there 
is any loss of protective primer, a scratch, any gouging, a dent, or if 
any wiring harness has a cut, chafing, or an exposed wire, repair or 
replace the affected parts.
    (C) Inspect the area under the forward transmission cowling for the 
three fasteners as depicted in Figure 1 of SB 429-201-1. Also inspect 
for the crimp-on external fan retaining ring (crimp ring) and the 
slotted fan drive spring (commonly known as a roll pin), which may have 
fallen loose with the motor.

[[Page 17106]]

Remove any fasteners, the crimp ring, and the roll pin if found 
detached.
    (D) Deactivate the air conditioning system by following the 
instructions in Procedure, paragraphs B.2.d.i. through B.2.d.v., of SB 
429-201-1.
    (ii) If the motor is attached to the shroud but a fastener is 
missing or loose, before further flight:
    (A) Remove any detached fasteners found in the area under the 
forward transmission cowling.
    (B) Deactivate the air conditioning system as follows:
    (1) Pull and red collar the air conditioning COND circuit breaker.
    (2) Pull and red collar the air-conditioning COMP circuit breaker.
    (3) Remove the compressor drive belt.
    (4) Remove the condenser blower assembly.
    (2) Deactivating the air conditioning system as required by 
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
    (3) If the air conditioning system is deactivated as required by 
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, within 10 days after completing the 
inspection, report the information requested in Appendix 1 to this AD 
by mail to the Manager, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Technical Operations Center, 26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver, 
CO 80249, ATTN: Matthew Bryant; by fax to (303) 342-1088; or by email 
to [email protected].

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matthew Bryant, 
Aerospace Engineer, Denver Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Technical Operations Center, 26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver, 
CO 80249; fax (303) 342-1088; 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) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2150, Cabin Cooling 
System.

(h) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation 
by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Air Comm Corporation Service Bulletin 429-201-1, Revision NC, 
dated February 17, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Air Comm Corporation service information identified in this 
AD, contact Air Comm Corporation, 1575 West 124th Avenue, Westminster, 
CO 80234; telephone: (303) 440-4075 (during business hours) or (720) 
233-8330 (after hours); email: [email protected]; Web site: 
http://www.aircommcorp.com/contact.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by 
reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 29, 2017.

Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

Appendix 1 to AD 2017-05-51

    Provide the following information by mail to the Manager, Denver 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Technical Operations Center, 26805 
East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver, CO 80249, ATTN: Matthew Bryant; by 
fax to (303) 342-1088; or by email to [email protected]:
    For inspection being accomplished (Initial or Repetitive), record 
inspection findings below and provide photos if possible.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             AD 2017-05-51                     Inspection findings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft S/N or N-Number...............  Aircraft hours time-in-service
                                          (TIS).
Air Conditioner Installation S/N (Laser  Aircraft TIS when air
 etched on compressor mount).             conditioning system was
                                          installed.
                                         Estimated percent air
                                          conditioner operating time.
Aircraft Location......................  Operator and maintenance
                                          facility contact information.
Condition..............................  Findings.
Is this a single evaporator              ...............................
 installation or a dual evaporator
 installation?.
Was the motor still attached?..........  ...............................
Were there any missing or loose          ...............................
 fasteners?.
Were any of the loose fasteners found    ...............................
 in the surrounding area?.
Did the found fasteners show evidence    ...............................
 of thread locker being applied?.
Has the condenser blower (blower) been   ...............................
 replaced following the initial
 installation of the air conditioning
 system?
What was the reason for the blower       ...............................
 replacement?.
Aircraft TIS when blower was replaced..  ...............................
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[FR Doc. 2017-06710 Filed 4-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P