[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 25, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28038-28040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10909]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0377; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00380-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 certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This 
proposed AD was prompted by three occurrences of metallic debris in the 
engine oil lubrication system causing the 12 volts direct current (VDC) 
reference voltage to be shorted to ground and loss of important flight 
information to the pilot. This proposed AD would require replacing a 
certain part-numbered relay panel assembly. 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 July 9, 
2021.

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 between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Bell 
Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, 
Canada; 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. 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0377; 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, the 
Transport Canada AD, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; 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-2021-0377; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00380-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 NPRM.

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

[[Page 28039]]

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Hal Jensen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 
20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; 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.

Background

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Canadian AD CF-2017-36, dated December 15, 2017 (Canadian AD CF-
2017-36), to correct an unsafe condition for Bell Helicopter Textron 
Canada Limited (BHTCL) (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 505 
helicopters serial numbers 65011 through 65023, 65025 through 65028, 
65030 through 65032, 65034, and 65036. Transport Canada advises of 
three occurrences of metallic debris in the engine oil lubrication 
system of the Model 505 helicopter causing the Garmin Engine Airframe 
(GEA) 12 VDC reference voltage to be shorted to ground. This short to 
ground results in loss of display of important flight information 
including the main rotor rotations per minute (Nr), fuel quantity, and 
transmission oil pressure and temperature, and the generator voltage 
and ammeter parameters are marked invalid with a red ``X'' on the 
primary flight display (PFD) and the multi-function display (MFD). This 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of caution, advisory, 
and system performance indications for multiple helicopter systems, 
particularly when the initiating event may be the activation of the 
engine chip detector.
    Accordingly, Canadian AD CF-2017-36 requires replacing relay panel 
assembly part number (P/N) SLS-075-002-107 with relay panel assembly P/
N SLS-075-002-109.

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 its 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 Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 505-17-04, 
dated December 6, 2017 (ASB 505-17-04). ASB 505-17-04 specifies 
procedures for replacing relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 with 
relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-109. ASB 505-17-04 also specifies 
procedures for accomplishing a functional test of the two engine 
electrical magnetic plugs and provides a notice to ensure 505-FM-1 (TR-
2) is inserted into the flight manual.
    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 in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require replacing relay panel assembly P/N 
SLS-075-002-107 with relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-109.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    Canadian AD CF-2017-36 requires replacing the relay panel assembly 
within 25 hours air time or 30 days, whichever occurs first, whereas 
this proposed AD would require that replacement within 25 hours time-
in-service instead. Canadian AD CF-2017-36 applies to certain serial-
numbered Model 505 helicopters, where as this proposed AD would apply 
to certain serial-numbered Model 505 helicopters with relay panel 
assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 installed instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 3 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.
    Replacing each relay panel assembly would take about 3 work-hours 
and parts would cost $7,079 for an estimated cost of $7,334 per 
helicopter and $22,002 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 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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 Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2021-0377; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2021-00380-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by July 9, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 28040]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with serial numbers 65011 
through 65023 inclusive, 65025 through 65028 inclusive, 65030 
through 65032 inclusive, 65034, and 65036 with relay panel assembly 
part number (P/N) SLS-075-002-107 installed.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with serial numbers (S/Ns) 
65011 through 65023 inclusive, 65025 through 65028 inclusive, 65030 
through 65032 inclusive, 65034, and 65036 are known to have had 
relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 installed during 
production.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3110, Instrument 
Panel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by three occurrences of metallic debris in 
the engine oil lubrication system causing a short to ground within 
the engine chip detector. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the 12 volts direct current (VDC) reference voltage, loss 
of display of important flight information to the pilot including 
the main rotor rotations per minute (Nr), fuel quantity, and 
transmission oil pressure and temperature, and the generator voltage 
and ammeter parameters as marked invalid with a red ``X'' on the 
primary flight display (PFD) and the multi-function display (MFD). 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in simultaneous 
loss of caution, advisory, and system performance indicators for 
multiple systems.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, replace relay panel assembly part number P/N SLS-075-002-
107 with relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-109 by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 1.a. through 3, of Bell 
Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 505-17-04, dated December 6, 2017.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install relay 
panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 on any helicopter.

(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, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 
20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 
J7J1R4, Canada; 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-2017-36, dated December 15, 2017. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2021-0377;.

    Issued on May 19, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-10909 Filed 5-24-21; 8:45 am]
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