[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 87 (Friday, May 7, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24485-24487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09278]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25084; Project Identifier 2005-SW-38-AD; Amendment 
39-21541; AD 2021-10-08]
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), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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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 206L series 
helicopters. This AD

[[Page 24486]]

was prompted by a manufacturing flaw that could cause low fuel level 
detector switch units (switch units) to hang in the high position and 
fail to indicate a low fuel condition. This AD requires removing 
certain switch units from service and prohibits installing those switch 
units. This AD also requires accomplishing an operational test of 
certain other switch units, and depending on the results, removing the 
switch unit from service. This AD also prohibits installing those 
certain other switch units unless they pass an operational test. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 11, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final 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 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2006-25084; 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, the 
Transport Canada AD, 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 
20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell 
Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 
206L-4 helicopters, with certain switch units part number (P/N) 206-
063-613-003 installed. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on 
March 12, 2021 (86 FR 14020). The FAA preceded the SNPRM with a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal Register on 
June 22, 2006 (71 FR 35836).
    The NPRM was prompted by Canadian AD CF-2004-24, dated November 24, 
2004, issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for 
Canada, to correct an unsafe condition for Model 206L series 
helicopters. Transport Canada advised that eight low fuel level 
detectors of listed serial numbers (S/Ns) may have been installed on 
Model 206L series helicopters. These detectors could hang in the high 
position and fail to indicate the low fuel condition. Accordingly, 
Transport Canada advised removing the affected switch units from 
service.
    The SNPRM was prompted by a significant lapse of time since 
publication of the NPRM. The SNPRM also revised the NPRM by updating 
the type certificate holder's name, updating the estimated cost 
information, clarifying and expanding the applicability, clarifying the 
requirements, adding a compliance time, adding parts installation 
prohibitions, and updating the AD format.
    The SNPRM proposed to require removing switch unit P/N 206-063-613-
003 with S/N 1413, 1414, 1415, 1424, 1428, 1430, 1432, and 1433 from 
service and prohibit installing those switch units. The SNPRM proposed 
to require accomplishing an operational test of switch unit P/N 206-
063-613-003 with a missing or illegible switch unit S/N or with an S/N 
that cannot be determined, and if the operational test fails, removing 
the switch unit from service. The SNPRM also proposed to prohibit 
installing switch unit P/N 206-063-613-003 with a missing or illegible 
switch unit S/N or with an S/N that cannot be determined unless it 
passes an operational test.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination 
of the costs.

Conclusion

    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 its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined 
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
helicopters.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 
206L-04-132, Revision A, dated October 4, 2004. This service 
information specifies procedures for determining whether any of eight 
specified serial-numbered detector switch units are installed because 
they may fail to indicate a low fuel condition. If the S/N is missing 
or unreadable, the service information specifies inspecting the switch 
unit to determine if it is an affected switch unit. The service 
information also specifies removing each affected switch unit.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada

    This AD applies to switch units with a missing or illegible S/N or 
with an S/N that cannot be determined, and requires certain actions for 
those switch units, whereas the Transport Canada AD does not.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects up to 558 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Replacing a switch unit takes about 4 work-hours and parts cost 
about $921 for an estimated cost of $1,261 per switch unit and up to 
$703,638 for the U.S. fleet. Accomplishing an operational test takes 
about 4 work-hours for an estimated cost of $340 per switch unit and up 
to $189,720 for the U.S. fleet.

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

[[Page 24487]]

that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely 
to exist or develop on helicopters 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.

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:

2021-10-08 Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously 
Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited): Amendment 39-21541 
Docket No. FAA-2006-25084; Project Identifier 2005-SW-38-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 11, 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 
206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters, certificated in any 
category, with a low fuel level detector switch unit (switch unit) 
part number (P/N) 206-063-613-003:
    (1) With a switch unit serial number (S/N) 1413, 1414, 1415, 
1424, 1428, 1430, 1432, or 1433 installed, or
    (2) With a missing or illegible switch unit S/N or if the S/N 
cannot be determined, installed.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with a 206L-1+ designation 
are Model 206L-1 helicopters. Helicopters with a 206L-3+ designation 
are Model 206L-3 helicopters.
    Note 2 to paragraph (c): The switch unit is located on the aft 
fuel boost pump assembly. The P/N and S/N for the switch unit could 
be on the outside face of the attachment flange, in the cross 
hatched area of the switch unit.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2842, Fuel 
Quantity Sensor.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a manufacturing flaw that could cause a 
switch unit to hang in the high position and fail to indicate a low 
fuel condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
switch unit to indicate a low fuel condition that could lead to fuel 
exhaustion and which if not addressed, could result in a subsequent 
forced landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For a switch unit identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, 
on or before the next 100-hour time-in-service inspection after the 
effective date of this AD, remove the switch unit from service.
    (2) For a switch unit identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, 
on or before the next 100-hour time-in-service inspection after the 
effective date of this AD:
    (i) Determine the color of the switch unit mounting flange. If 
the mounting flange color is any color other than red, determine the 
purchase date. If the purchase date of the switch unit is between 
April 19 and July 26, 2004, or cannot be determined, do an 
operational test.
    (ii) If the switch unit fails the operational test, before 
further flight, remove the switch unit from service.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a switch 
unit identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD on any helicopter.
    (4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a switch 
unit identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD on any helicopter 
unless the actions in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD have 
been accomplished.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation 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 International Validation Branch, 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 Hal Jensen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email 
[email protected].
    (2) Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 206L-04-
132, Revision A, dated October 4, 2004, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, 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 information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
CF-2004-24, dated November 24, 2004. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2006-25084.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on April 28, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-09278 Filed 5-6-21; 8:45 am]
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