[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3628-3630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01194]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 18 / Friday, January 26, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 3628]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0757; Product Identifier 2017-SW-022-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 
certain serial numbered Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) 
Model 429 helicopters. This proposed AD would require marking a serial 
number on life-limited forward spars and actuator fitting assemblies. 
The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent an unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 27, 2018.

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-
0757; 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 proposed AD, the Transport Canada AD, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations (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: Helene Gandy, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5413; 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 Canadian AD No. CF-2017-02, dated January 16, 2017, to correct 
an unsafe condition for BHTC Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers (S/
N) 57150, 57168, 57176, 57210, 57211 through 57216, 57265, 57266, 
57267, and 57287. Transport Canada advises that forward spars part 
number (P/N) 429-031-213-103 and 429-031-213-104 and actuator fitting 
assembly P/N 429-031-222-101 and 429-031-222-102 have life limits of 
30,000 and 19,000 Retirement Index Numbers, respectively. However, 
Transport Canada states these parts are not serialized and therefore 
their accumulated usage is difficult to track, which creates a risk 
that these parts could remain in service beyond their life limits. This 
condition could result in failure of the part.

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

    We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-16-34, dated 
November 10, 2016, which specifies procedures for permanently marking 
each forward spar and actuator fitting assembly with the serial number 
of the helicopter.
    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 Helicopter Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-
429-MM-1, Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, 
dated September 9, 2016, which

[[Page 3629]]

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 the 
helicopter's serial number on each forward spar P/N 429-031-213-103 and 
429-031-213-104 and on each actuator fitting assembly P/N 429-031-222-
101 and 429-031-222-102. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
installing any affected part on any helicopter unless is has been 
marked in accordance with this proposed AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    The Transport Canada AD requires compliance within 12 months from 
its effective date, unless already accomplished. This proposed AD would 
require compliance within 800 hours time in service.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 6 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. We 
estimate that marking the forward spars and actuator fitting assemblies 
would require 1 work-hour and no parts would be needed. Based on these 
estimates, we expect a total cost of $85 per helicopter and $510 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.
    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-2017-0757; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-022-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 
429 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 57150, 57168, 57176, 57210 
through 57216, 57265, 57266, 57267, and 57287, with a forward spar 
part number (P/N) 429-031-213-103 or 429-031-213-104 or actuator 
fitting assembly P/N 429-031-222-101 or 429-031-222-102 installed, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a forward spar or 
actuator fitting assembly remaining in service after reaching its 
life limit. This condition could result in failure of a forward spar 
or actuator fitting assembly and subsequent collapse of the landing 
gear.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 27, 2018.

(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 800 hours time-in-service, clean and identify each 
forward spar and actuator fitting assembly with the helicopter 
serial number in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3 through 5 and with reference to Figure 1 of Bell 
Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-16-34, dated November 10, 
2016.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a 
forward spar P/N 429-031-213-103 or 429-031-213-104 or actuator 
fitting assembly P/N 429-031-222-101 or 429-031-222-102 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 Section, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Helene Gandy, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
(817) 222-5413; 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 Helicopter Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, 
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, dated 
September 9, 2016, 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 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-2017-02, dated January 16, 2017. 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: 1100, Placards and 
Markings.


[[Page 3630]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 12, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-01194 Filed 1-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P