[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50237-50239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19251]


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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; 
Amendment 39-21674; AD 2021-16-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell 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 Model 505 helicopters. This 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 AD requires replacing a certain part-
numbered relay panel assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 13, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 13, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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; email [email protected]; or at https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. 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. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0377.

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 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, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Textron Canada 
Limited Model 505 helicopters, 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on May 25, 2021 (86 FR 28038). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
replacing relay panel assembly part number P/N SLS-075-002-107 with 
relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-109. The NPRM also proposed to 
prohibit installing relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 on any 
helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by Canadian AD CF-2017-36, dated 
December 15, 2017 (Canadian AD CF-2017-36), issued by Transport Canada, 
which is the aviation authority for Canada, 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

[[Page 50238]]

the initiating event may be the activation of the engine chip detector.
    Accordingly, Canadian AD CF-2017-36 requires replacing relay panel 
assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 with relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-
109.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM 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. Except for minor editorial changes and updating the email 
and website addresses for Bell Textron Canada Limited throughout this 
document, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

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.

Differences Between This 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 AD requires that replacement within 25 hours time-in-service 
instead. Canadian AD CF-2017-36 applies to certain serial-numbered 
Model 505 helicopters, whereas this AD applies 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 AD affects 3 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.
    Replacing each relay panel assembly takes about 3 work-hours and 
parts 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 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:

2021-16-12 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-21674; Docket 
No. FAA-2021-0377; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00380-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 13, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with serial numbers (S/
Ns) 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 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.

[[Page 50239]]

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, replace relay panel assembly 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) 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 at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-
0377.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 505-17-04, dated 
December 6, 2017.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Bell Helicopter 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; email [email protected]; 
or at https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 27, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19251 Filed 9-7-21; 8:45 am]
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