[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 23, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15434-15436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04200]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1170; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00720-R]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited 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 Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting certain serial-numbered Emergency 
Flotation System (EFS) inflation hoses and depending on the results of 
those inspections, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from 
service. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a float 
compartment on an EFS did not inflate. The actions of this proposed AD 
are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 7, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
1170; 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, 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 service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
Bell 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 
https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view 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: Daniel E. Moore, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Denver ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
26805 East 68th Ave., Denver, CO 80249; telephone 303-342-1086; 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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-1170; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-00720-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposal.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Daniel E. Moore, Aviation Safety Engineer, Denver ACO Branch, 
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 26805 East 68th Ave., Denver, 
CO 80249; telephone 303-342-1086; ; email [email protected]. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Canadian AD No. CF-2020-21R1, issued August 19, 2020 to correct 
an unsafe condition for Bell Model 429 helicopters, all serial numbers. 
The Transport Canada AD advises that during maintenance on an EFS, the 
third compartment of the left forward float did not inflate. Transport 
Canada advises that an investigation determined the supply hose for the 
gas flow from the pressurized cylinder to the float compartment was 
blocked due to a manufacturing defect. Bell advised that similar supply 
hoses are installed on various EFS part numbers, which could be 
installed on different helicopter type designs. Transport Canada 
advises that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could 
result in partial inflation of the EFS during an emergency landing on 
water, preventing a timely egress from the helicopter, and injury to 
helicopter occupants.

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 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its 
technical representative, has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the Transport Canada AD. The FAA is proposing this AD 
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an 
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of 
the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Safran Aerosystems Services Service Bulletin No. 
025-69-21, Revision 00, dated, March 23, 2020 (SB 025-69-21). SB 025-
69-21 is attached as an appendix to Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 
429-20-52, dated March 30, 2020 (ASB 429-20-52). SB 025-69-21 is 
proposed for incorporation by reference in this proposed AD. ASB 429-
20-52 is not proposed for incorporation by reference in this proposed 
AD. SB 025-69-21 specifies, for certain EFSs manufactured

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before July 2019, and any float supply hose manufactured before January 
2014, performing a special inspection to verify that there is no 
blockage through the float supply hoses of the EFS inflation system.
    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

    This proposed AD would require, within 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), removing each EFS supply hose and inspecting each end (also 
referred to as fitting or banjo) of the EFS supply hose using a certain 
plastic cable tie, and depending on the results of those inspections, 
removing from service certain parts and replacing those parts with 
airworthy parts. This proposed AD would also require marking a green 
dot on the base of certain supply hoses and writing ``SB 025-69-21'' 
above the external identification marking of the EFS with indelible 
ink. Finally, the proposed AD would prohibit installing any EFS supply 
hose manufactured before January 2014 unless it has been inspected in 
accordance with the proposed AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    The Transport Canada AD requires compliance within 600 hours air 
time or within the next 24-month inspection of the EFS, whichever 
occurs first, whereas this proposed AD would require compliance within 
100 hours TIS. The Transport Canada AD limits the applicability to 
certain EFS supply hoses listed in SB 025-69-21, whereas this proposed 
AD would apply to certain EFS supply hoses manufactured before January 
2014 but excludes EFS supply hoses marked with ``SB 025-69-21.''

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 110 
helicopters of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may 
incur the following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. 
Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Removing and inspecting each EFS supply hose would take about 0.75 
work-hour, for an estimated cost of $64 per hose.
    Installing or replacing each EFS supply hose would take about 0.10 
work-hour with a minimal parts cost, for an estimated cost of $9 per 
hose.
    Marking each EFS supply hose with a green dot and the applicable 
service bulletin number would take a minimal amount of time at a 
nominal cost.
    According to Safran's service information, some of the costs of 
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage by Safran. Accordingly, all costs are included in this 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.
    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, 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:

Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-2020-1170; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00720-R.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Bell Textron Canada 
Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters, certificated in any category, 
with a Bell Emergency Flotation System (EFS) kit P/N 429-706-069-
101/-103/-105/-121/-123/-125/-139/-141/-143/or -157 manufactured 
before July 2019, with a float supply hose manufactured before 
January 2014, installed, except for float supply hoses marked with 
``SB 025-69-21'' above the external identification marking.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a blocked float supply 
hose installed on an EFS. This condition could result in partial 
inflation of an EFS float during an emergency landing on water and 
subsequently preventing a timely egress from the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by May 7, 2021.

(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 100 hours time-in-service (TIS): (i) Remove each EFS 
supply hose from the float and inspect each end of the EFS supply 
hose by inserting a plastic cable tie, 300 mm minimum x 5 mm maximum 
(11.811 in. minimum x .196 in. maximum), into the holes of the 
related fitting as shown in Figure 1 of Safran Aerosystems Services 
Service Bulletin No. 025-69-21, Revision 00, dated March 23, 2020 
(SB 025-69-21).

    Note 1 to paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this AD: Each end of the supply 
hose may also be referred to as fitting or banjo.

    (ii) If the cable tie does not pass through the hose, before 
further flight, remove the EFS supply hose from service and replace 
it with an airworthy part.
    (iii) If the cable tie passes through the supply hose, mark a 
green dot with indelible ink on the base of the supply hose and 
write ``SB 025-69-21'' above the external identification marking of 
the EFS with indelible ink.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an EFS 
supply hose manufactured before January 2014 on any helicopter 
unless

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the requirements in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD have been completed.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Daniel E. Moore, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Denver, ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 26805 East 68th Ave., Denver, CO 80249; telephone 
303-342-1086; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 
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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD No. 
CF-2020-212R1, dated August 19, 2020. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD 
Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2560, Emergency 
Equipment.

    Issued on January 5, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-04200 Filed 3-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P