[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42232-42234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17902]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0740; Product Identifier 2016-SW-045-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 206A, 206B, 206L, 
206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters. This proposed AD would 
require inspecting and cleaning the oil supply restrictor (restrictor) 
to the freewheel assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of a 
blocked oil line restrictor in the freewheel lubrication system. The 
proposed actions are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 22, 
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-
0740; 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: David Hatfield, 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

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Canadian AD No. CF-2016-13, dated May 16, 2016 (AD No. CF-2016-
13), to correct an unsafe condition for Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 
206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, and 407 helicopters. Transport Canada advises 
that they have received two reports of torsional overload failure of 
the main rotor mast caused by a blocked oil line restrictor in the 
freewheel lubrication system. Transport Canada states the restrictor 
may become contaminated during maintenance, causing blockage. Transport 
Canada further states that a blocked restrictor could cause the 
freewheel assembly to malfunction and result in failure of the main 
rotor mast and loss of control of the helicopter.
    Additionally, the Canadian AD advises that although certain later 
versions of these helicopters are equipped with a filter in the 
freewheel lubrication system that is designed to trap contaminants and 
prevent blockage of the restrictor, installation of the filter does not 
guarantee the restrictor will remain free of contaminants. According to 
Transport Canada, one occurrence of restrictor blockage resulted from 
contaminants being introduced downstream from the filter, which 
subsequently caused failure of the freewheel assembly. For these 
reasons, AD No. CF-2016-13 requires inspecting and cleaning the 
restrictors and filters to reduce the risk of freewheel failure.

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

[[Page 42233]]

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 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-14-132 for Model 
206A/B and TH-67 helicopters; ASB 206L-14-174 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 
206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters; and ASB 407-14-106 for Model 407 
helicopters. Each ASB is Revision A and dated February 9, 2016. This 
service information specifies removing, cleaning, inspecting, and 
reinstalling certain freewheel assembly components. ASB 206-14-132 and 
ASB 206L-14-174 also describe procedures for replacing the reducer with 
a filter if not already installed.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    For all affected models, this AD would require, within 100 hours 
time-in-service, inspecting and cleaning the freewheel oil supply 
system. If there is blockage in the restrictor, disassembling and 
inspecting the freewheel assembly for condition and wear would be 
required before further flight. Additionally, for Model 206A, 206B, 
206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, this proposed AD would 
require replacing the reducer with a filter, part number 50-075-1.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2,227 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 labor rate of 
$85 per hour, inspecting and cleaning the freewheel oil supply system 
would require about 1 work-hour, for a cost per helicopter of $85 and 
$189,295 for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle.
    If required, inspecting the freewheel assembly would require about 
1 work-hour, for a cost per helicopter of $85.
    If required, replacing a restrictor with a filter would require 
about 1 work-hour and required parts would cost $125, for a cost per 
helicopter of $210.

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 (Bell): Docket No. FAA-2018-
0740; Product Identifier 2016-SW-045-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 
206L-4, and 407 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a blocked oil line 
restrictor. This condition could cause failure of the freewheel 
assembly, which could result in failure of the main rotor mast and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 22, 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

    Within 100 hours time-in-service:
    (1) For all helicopters:
    (i) Inspect the oil line restrictor for blockage. If there is 
any blockage in the restrictor, before further flight, inspect the 
freewheel assembly clutch, inner shaft, outer shaft, forward seal, 
cap, and bearings for wear, corrosion, nicks, scratches, and cracks; 
the splines for wear, cracks, chipped teeth, and broken teeth; the 
housing for flaking; and for free rotation and engagement of the 
clutch and bearing. If there is any damage that exceeds allowable 
limits or if the clutch or bearing does not engage or freely rotate, 
before further flight, repair or replace the freewheel assembly.
    (ii) Clean, inspect, and flush each removed fitting, restrictor, 
tube, hose, and filter with dry cleaning solvent. Do not approve for 
return to service until each restrictor is free from contamination.
    (2) For Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters with a reducer, replace the reducer with a filter part 
number 50-075-1.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

[[Page 42234]]

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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD No. 
CF-2016-13, dated May 16, 2016. 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: 6300, Main Rotor 
Drive System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 10, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17902 Filed 8-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P