[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3630-3631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01195]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0036; Product Identifier 2017-SW-015-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 212, Model 412, and Model 
412EP helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the 
emergency flotation system (EFS) tube assembly. This proposed AD is 
prompted by a report of an EFS tube assembly failure. The actions of 
this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
helicopters.

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-2018-
0036; 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 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, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; 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: Rory Rieger, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
DSCO Branch, AIR-7J0, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone (817) 222-5193; 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

    We propose to adopt a new AD for Bell Model 212, Model 412, and 
Model 412EP helicopters with an EFS tube assembly part number (P/N) 
412-073-820-101 with a date of manufacture before July 28, 2016. This 
proposed AD is prompted by a report from Bell that an EFS tube assembly 
separated from the valve during a 2-year inflation test. A subsequent 
investigation found that excessive sleeve preset force during 
manufacturing caused cracks in the sleeve of the tube assembly, which 
may result in the EFS float failing to deploy. Bell determined that 
only those EFS tube assemblies with P/N 412-073-820-101 that were 
shipped prior to July 28, 2016, were subject to this manufacturing 
defect. Bell states that because this manufacturing defect is difficult 
to detect, affected EFS tube assemblies in service must be replaced. 
The affected parts were associated with a single Bell supplier that is 
no longer manufacturing the tube assembly.
    Accordingly, this proposed AD would require replacing the EFS tube 
assemblies and would prohibit installing an affected EFS tube assembly 
on any helicopter. We are proposing this AD to prevent installing a 
cracked EFS tube assembly, which could result in failure of the EFS 
floats to deploy during an emergency water landing.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 212-11-143 and ASB 
412-11-147, both Revision C and dated December 22, 2016. Each ASB 
describes and illustrates procedures to replace the tube assembly 
within 600 flight hours or by March 31, 2017.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 300 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), replacing any EFS tube assembly P/N 412-073-820-101 that was 
manufactured before July 28, 2016. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
installing an EFS tube assembly P/N 412-073-820-101 that was 
manufactured before July 28, 2016 on any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The ASBs require compliance within 600 flight hours or by March 31, 
2017; this proposed AD would require compliance within 300 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 250 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this proposed AD. At an average

[[Page 3631]]

labor rate of $85 per hour, replacing a tube assembly would require 
about 6 work-hours and required parts would cost $4,902, for a total 
cost of $5,412 per helicopter and $1,353,000 for the U.S. fleet.
    According to Bell's service information, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by 
Bell. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.

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 Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0036; Product 
Identifier 2017-SW-015-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 
212, Model 412, and Model 412EP helicopters, certificated in any 
category, with an emergency flotation system (EFS) tube assembly 
part number (P/N) 412-073-820-101 with a date of manufacture before 
July 28, 2016, or an unknown date of manufacture installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack on an EFS tube 
assembly. This condition could result in failure of the emergency 
floats to inflate during an emergency water landing.

(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 300 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Remove the EFS tube assembly from service.
    (ii) Lubricate the shoulder of the sleeves, threads, and seat of 
each mating fitting with anti-seize compound.
    (iii) Install an EFS tube assembly not listed in paragraph (a) 
of this AD.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an EFS 
tube assembly listed in paragraph (a) of this AD on any helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 
AD. Send your proposal to: Rory Rieger, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
DSCO Branch, AIR-7J0, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5193; 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

    Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletins 212-11-143 and 412-11-
147, both Revision C and dated December 22, 2016, which are not 
incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the 
subject of this AD. For service information identified in this 
proposed rule, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, 
Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; 
or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212 Emergency 
Flotation Section.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 12, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-01195 Filed 1-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P