[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 66 (Monday, April 6, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19113-19114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07086]



[[Page 19113]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0598; Product Identifier 2018-SW-030-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron, Inc. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Bell Textron, Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.) (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 
212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. This proposed AD 
was prompted by a report of a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip 
(comfort clip) interfering with the seat belt inertia reel. This 
proposed AD would require removing comfort clips from service and 
inspecting the seat belt shoulder harness (harness) for a rip or an 
abrasion. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 21, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Bell 
Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone 817-280-
3391; fax 817-280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0598; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management 
Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5198; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0598; 
Product Identifier 2018-SW-030-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The FAA proposes to adopt a new AD for certain Bell Model 204B, 
205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP 
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a series of service 
bulletins issued by Bell, reporting an issue with certain comfort clips 
part-numbers (P/Ns) D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401, 
which are installed on seat belt assemblies. A design review by 
Leonardo S.p.A Helicopter (formerly Agusta S.p.A., Finmeccanica S.p.A.) 
indicates the use of the affected comfort clips could jeopardize, in 
cases of impact or deceleration, the correct functionality of the seat 
belt or the seat belt inertia reel.
    Bell Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters were not 
delivered with comfort clips, but due to design similarity, the FAA has 
included them in this proposed AD because owners/operators may install 
the comfort clips post-delivery. Bell consequently reported in its 
service bulletins that it will stop delivering and selling the comfort 
clips.
    The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent the seat 
belt from locking, potentially resulting in injury to the occupant 
during an emergency landing.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 204B-15-70 for 
Model 204B helicopters, Bell ASB 205-15-113 for Model 205A and 205A-1 
helicopters, Bell ASB 205B-15-66 for Model 205B helicopters, Bell ASB 
212-15-156 for Model 212 helicopters, Bell ASB 412-15-170 for Model 412 
and 412EP helicopters, and Bell ASB 412CF-15-60 for Model 412CF 
helicopters, all dated January 20, 2016. The FAA also reviewed Bell ASB 
214-15-76, dated January 11, 2016, for Model 214B and 214B-1 
helicopters. This service information specifies removing the comfort 
clips from all crew and passenger seat belt assemblies.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is proposing this AD after evaluating all the relevant 
information and determining that the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same 
type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), removing from service each comfort clip P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, 
D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401, from the seat belt assembly and 
inspecting each harness for a rip and an abrasion. If there is a rip or 
abrasion, this proposed AD would require removing the harness from 
service before further flight.
    After the effective date of this AD, this proposed AD would 
prohibit installing any comfort clip P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-
B, or 504636-401 on any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies a compliance time of within 100 
flight hours or no later than February 21, 2016, and does not specify 
inspecting each harness for a rip or an abrasion. This proposed AD 
would require a compliance time of within 50 hours TIS and would 
require inspecting each harness for a rip or an abrasion. The FAA 
determined that including an

[[Page 19114]]

inspection for harness damage is necessary to correct the unsafe 
condition.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 210 
helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates that operators may 
incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs 
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Removing a comfort clip would take about 0.5 work-hour, for an 
estimated cost of $43 per clip.
    Inspecting a harness would take about 0.25 work-hour, for an 
estimated cost of $21 per harness.
    If required, replacing a harness would take about 1 work-hour and 
parts would cost about $1,050 for an estimated cost of $1,135 per 
harness.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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 above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

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 Textron, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell 
Helicopter Textron, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2018-0598; Product 
Identifier 2018-SW-030-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by May 21, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron, Inc. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.) Model 204B, 205A, 
205A-1, 205B, 212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a shoulder harness seat belt 
comfort clip (comfort clip) part numbers (P/Ns) D7LZ-6560286-A, 
D7LZ-6560286-B, or 504636-401, installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2500, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a comfort clip interfering 
with the seat belt inertia reel. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent the seat belt from locking. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in injury to the occupant during an 
emergency landing.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (i) Remove from service each comfort clip P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, 
D7LZ-6560286-B, or 504636-401 from the shoulder harness seat belt 
(harness).
    (ii) Inspect each harness for a rip and an abrasion. If there is 
a rip or any abrasion, before further flight, remove from service 
the harness.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install comfort 
clip P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, or 504636-401 on any 
helicopter.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kuethe Harmon, 
Safety Management Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5198; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone 817-
280-3391; fax 817-280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You 
may review service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

    Issued on March 31, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07086 Filed 4-3-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P