[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14606-14608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06640]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0254; Product Identifier 2017-SW-116-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-13-
03 for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 
helicopters. AD 2017-13-03 requires adding an identification number to 
life-limited rod ends that do not have a serial number (S/N). Since we 
issued AD 2017-13-03, an additional life-limited rod end was identified 
that is affected by the same unsafe condition. This proposed AD would 
retain the requirements of AD 2017-13-03 and revise the Applicability 
paragraph by adding that rod end. The actions of this proposed AD are 
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 4, 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-
0254; 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

[[Page 14607]]

(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 this 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 Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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

    We issued AD 2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, June 22, 
2017) (AD 2017-13-03) for Bell Model 429 helicopters, S/N 57001 through 
57260, with a pylon restraint spring assembly (spring assembly) forward 
rod end assembly (rod end) part number (P/N) 427-010-210-105 installed. 
AD 2017-13-03 requires cleaning and marking each forward rod end with 
the S/N of the spring assembly. AD 2017-13-03 also prohibits the 
installation of forward rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 on any helicopter 
unless it has been marked. The requirements of AD 2017-13-03 are 
intended to prevent a forward rod end from remaining in service after 
reaching its life limit which could result in failure of the forward 
rod end and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.

Actions Since AD 2017-13-03 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2017-13-03, an additional life-limited rod end 
P/N has been identified that is affected by the same unsafe condition. 
Aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 also needs to be marked with the S/N of 
the spring assembly since it does not have a S/N.
    Accordingly, Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for 
Canada, issued AD No. CF-2015-15R1, Revision 1, dated July 28, 2017, to 
correct this 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 P/N and S/N. 
Transport Canada further states that spring assembly rod end P/Ns 427-
010-210-105 and -109 have a life limit of 5,000 hours; however, they 
are not serialized, causing difficulties in tracking 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

    We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-15-19, dated 
February 26, 2015, for Model 429 helicopters. 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 
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 Helicopter Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, 
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, approved 
September 9, 2016, 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 
and aft rod end with the S/N of the spring assembly. This proposed AD 
would also prohibit installing forward rod end P/N 427-010-210-105 and 
aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 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 75 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 an 
estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,225 for the U.S. fleet. 
Replacing a rod end that has exceeded its life limit would take about 3 
work-hours and required parts will cost about $4,100 for an estimated 
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

[[Page 14608]]

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, June 22, 2017), and adding 
the following new AD:

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2018-0254; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-116-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 assembly (rod end) part number (P/N) 427-
010-210-105 or aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 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) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-13-03, Amendment 39-18933 (82 FR 28397, 
June 22, 2017).

(d) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 4, 2018.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 140 hours time-in-service, clean and identify each 
rod end with the spring assembly serial number in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3. 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 or an 
aft rod end P/N 427-010-210-109 on any helicopter unless it has been 
marked with a serial number in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Helicopter Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, Chapter 4, 
Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 26, approved 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 a copy of the 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-2015-15R1, Revision 1, dated July 28, 2017. You may view the 
Transport Canada AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
the AD Docket.

(i) Subject

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

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 26, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06640 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P