[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11415-11417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03659]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0860; Product Identifier 2019-SW-005-AD; Amendment 
39-21416; AD 2021-03-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held 
by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. This 
AD was prompted by the introduction of a new life limit for the 
centrifugal force bearing (CFB). This AD requires determining the 
accumulated retirement index number (RIN) and removing each affected 
CFB from service before it accumulates 8,000 total RIN. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J 1R4; telephone 450-437-2862 or 800-363-8023; fax 450-433-
0272; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 817-222-5110.

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-2020-
0860; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, issued Transport Canada AD CF-2019-03, dated 
January 31, 2019 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron 
Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. TCCA advises that an 
airworthiness limitations schedule document introduces a new life limit 
for CFB part number (P/N) 429-310-003-103, a component that was not 
previously included. Failure to observe the CFB life limit could result 
in excessive vibration and loss of control of the helicopter. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0860.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bell Helicopter 
Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 1, 
2020 (85 FR 61879). The NPRM was prompted by the introduction of a new 
life limit for the CFB. The NPRM proposed to require determining the 
accumulated RIN and removing each affected CFB from service before it 
accumulates 8,000 total RIN. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a 
CFB remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. Failure to observe 
the CFB life limit could result in excessive vibration and loss of 
control of the helicopter. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

[[Page 11416]]

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Other Related Service Information

    Bell Helicopter has issued Bell Model 429 Maintenance Planning 
Information BHT-429-MPI, Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, 
DMC-429-A-04-00-00-00A-288A-A, Issue 1, dated January 10, 2019. This 
service information describes new maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 85 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                  Labor cost                               Parts cost               helicopter       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,380.........  $42,576 ($10,644 per bearing x 4         $44,956      $3,821,260
                                                 blades).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:

2021-03-13 Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously 
Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited): Amendment 39-21416; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0860; Product Identifier 2019-SW-005-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 1, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate 
previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 
helicopters, certificated in any category, serial numbers 57001 
through 57351 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6200, Main rotor 
system.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the introduction of a new life limit for 
the centrifugal force bearing (CFB). The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address a CFB remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. Failure 
to observe the CFB life limit could result in excessive vibration 
and loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    For each CFB having part number 429-310-003-103 (the affected 
CFB): Within 50 hours time-in-service, determine the accumulated 
retirement index number (RIN). For purposes of this AD, count 1 RIN 
each time one or both engines are started. If any affected CFB has 
accumulated 8,000 or more total RIN, before further flight, remove 
the affected CFB from service. If any affected CFB has accumulated 
less than 8,000 total RIN, create a component history card or 
equivalent record indicating a life limit of 8,000 total RIN. 
Thereafter, continue to count RIN and record the life limit of the 
affected CFB on its component history card or equivalent record and 
remove the affected CFB from service before accumulating 8,000 total 
RIN.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, 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 Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, 
send it to: Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector,

[[Page 11417]]

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
CF-2019-03, dated January 31, 2019. This Transport Canada AD may be 
found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2020-0860.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD 
Program Manager, Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness 
Products Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected].
    (3) Bell Model 429 Maintenance Planning Information BHT-429-MPI, 
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, DMC-429-A-04-00-00-
00A-288A-A, Issue 1, dated January 10, 2019, which is not 
incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the 
subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD 
that is not incorporated by reference, contact Bell Textron Canada 
Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4; telephone 
(450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-0272; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on January 28, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03659 Filed 2-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P