[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 183 (Friday, September 24, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53015-53018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20521]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0830; Project Identifier AD-2020-00257-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 Model 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters with certain Air Comm Corporation (Air Comm) air 
conditioning systems installed. This proposed AD would require visually 
inspecting the drive ring spline teeth and the mating area spline teeth 
on the oil cooler blower shaft for signs of deformation and fretting 
and depending on the results of the inspection, removing certain parts 
from service. This proposed AD would also require reinstalling certain 
parts, applying torque, and aligning certain bolt holes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports of damage to the drive ring spline teeth and 
the mating spline teeth. 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 November 8, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: 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 Mail address between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
Air Comm Corporation, 1575 Westminster, CO 80234; telephone (303) 440-
4075; or at https://www.aircommcorp.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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0830; 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, any referenced service information, any comments received, 
and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is 
listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Bryant, Aerospace Engineer, 
Denver ACO Branch, FAA, 26805 East 68th Avenue, Denver, CO 80249;

[[Page 53016]]

telephone (303) 342-1080; 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-2021-0830; Project Identifier 
AD-2020-00257-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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Matthew Bryant, Aerospace Engineer, Denver ACO Branch, FAA, 26805 East 
68th Avenue, Denver, CO 80249; telephone (303) 342-1080; 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

    The FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin SW-19-05 
on April 4, 2019 (SAIB SW-19-05) to alert owners and operators of Bell 
Textron Canada Limited Model 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters 
with Air Comm's Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SH2750NM installed. 
SAIB SW-19-05 was prompted by reports of the air conditioner pulley's 
locking system, which is installed on the oil cooler drive shaft's 
splined quill, causing excessive spline tooth wear to the drive ring 
spline teeth and the mating spline teeth on the oil cooler blower 
shaft. SAIB SW-19-05 recommends following the inspection instructions 
of certain Air Comm service information and routinely inspecting the 
air conditioner pulley lock ring.
    At the time SAIB SW-19-05 was issued, the airworthiness concern was 
not determined to be an unsafe condition that would warrant AD action 
under 14 CFR part 39. However, subsequent investigations were not able 
to determine whether the limited damaged observed on several oil cooler 
blower shafts would remain localized or progress to a point where the 
shaft is no longer safe for continued use. The FAA also later 
determined that operators may have difficulty aligning the air 
conditioning system's drive ring holes with the air conditioning 
condenser drive pulley without leaving the condenser drive pulley 
under-torqued. Accordingly, the FAA proposes to adopt a new AD for 
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206L-1 and 206L-3 helicopters 
with Bell Model 206L1/L3 Service Instruction for Increased Gross Weight 
Upgrade Kit BHT-206-SI-2052, Revision 1, dated October 14, 2010, 
installed and Bell Model 206L-4 helicopters equipped with one of the 
following Air Comm STC SH2750NM air conditioning systems part number 
206EC-204-1, 206EC-204-2, 206EC-208-1, 206EC-208-2, 206EC-210-1, 206EC-
210-2, 206EC-210-3, 206EC-212-3 or 206EC-212-4. Helicopters with a 
206L-1+ designation are Model 206L-1 helicopters and helicopters with a 
206L-3+ designation are Model 206L-3 helicopters.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed ACC Air Comm Corporation Service Bulletin SB 
206EC-091119, Rev B, dated May 26, 2021 (SB 206EC-091119 Rev B), which 
specifies procedures for visually inspecting the drive ring spline 
teeth and the mating spline teeth on the tail rotor drive's oil cooler 
blower shaft for deformation or fretting.
    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, within 300 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS, gaining 
access to the drive ring spline teeth and the mating area spline teeth 
on the oil cooler blower shaft, repetitively inspecting the drive ring 
spline teeth and the mating spline teeth on the tail rotor drive's oil 
cooler blower shaft for deformation and fretting, and depending on the 
results of each inspection, removing certain parts from service before 
further flight. This proposed AD would also require reinstalling 
certain parts, and if required, reinstalling the drive pulley by 
torqueing and aligning the drive pulley bolt holes.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

    SB 206EC-091119 Rev B requires inspecting the air conditioning 
compressor drive belt tension and the general condition of the drive 
belt, drive pulley and surrounding components, whereas this proposed AD 
would not. SB 206EC-091119 Rev B requires reporting any deformation or 
fretting to Air Comm Service Department, whereas this proposed AD would 
not. SB 206EC-091119 Rev B provides an option to deactivate the air 
conditioning system if deformation of fretting is found on the drive 
ring or the oil cooler blower shaft assembly, whereas this proposed AD 
would require removing these parts from service instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect up to 100 
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 the tail rotor drive system's forward short shaft, spline 
adaptor, and drive ring and visually inspecting the drive ring spline 
teeth and the mating area spline teeth would take about 1 work-hour for 
an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $8,500 for the U.S. fleet 
per inspection cycle.
    Replacing the drive ring would take about 3 work-hours and parts 
would cost about $300 for an estimated cost of $555 per replacement.

[[Page 53017]]

    Replacing the oil cooler blower assembly would take about 3 work-
hours and parts would cost about $2,720 for an estimated cost of $2,975 
per replacement.
    Aligning each bolt hole and re-torqueing the drive pulley would 
take about 0.5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter.

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:

Bell Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2021-0830; Project 
Identifier AD-2020-00257-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by November 8, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Bell Textron Canada Limited helicopters 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model 206L-1 and Model 206L-3 helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with Bell Model 206L1/L3 Service Instruction for 
Increased Gross Weight Upgrade Kit BHT-206-SI-2052, Revision 1, 
dated October 14, 2010 (BHT-206-SI-2052), installed and that are 
equipped with one of the following Air Comm Corporation (Air Comm) 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SH2750NM air conditioning 
systems part number (P/N) 206EC-204-1, 206EC-204-2, 206EC-208-1, 
206EC-208-2, 206EC-210-1, 206EC-210-2, 206EC-210-3, 206EC-212-3, or 
206EC-212-4.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c)(1) of this AD:  Helicopters with a 206L-
1+ designation are Model 206L-1 helicopters and helicopters with a 
206L-3+ designation are Model 206L-3 helicopters.

    (2) Model 206 L-4 helicopters, certificated in any category, and 
that are equipped with one of the following Air Comm STC SH2750NM 
air conditioning systems P/N 206EC-204-1, 206EC-204-2, 206EC-208-1, 
206EC-208-2, 206EC-210-1, 206EC-210-2, 206EC-210-3, 206EC-212-3, or 
206EC-212-4.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor 
Drive Shaft.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of deformation or fretting of 
the spline teeth on the air conditioning system and on the oil 
cooler blower shaft. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect 
deformation and fretting. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in a failure of the oil cooler blower shaft, which 
could lead to loss of tail rotor authority and subsequent loss of 
helicopter control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date 
of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS:
    (1) Gain access to the drive ring spline teeth and the mating 
area spline teeth on the oil cooler blower shaft by removing the 
tail rotor drive system's forward short shaft and spline adaptor, 
and the air conditioner system's drive ring. Refer to Figure 1 of 
ACC Air Comm Corporation Service Bulletin SB 206EC-091119, Rev B, 
dated May 26, 2021 for a depiction of each component's location.
    (2) Visually inspect the drive ring spline teeth and the mating 
area spline teeth on the oil cooler blower shaft for deformation and 
fretting.
    (i) If there is deformation or fretting on the drive ring spline 
teeth, before further flight, remove the drive ring from service and 
replace it with an airworthy part.
    (ii) If there is deformation or fretting on the mating area 
spline teeth of the oil cooler blower shaft, before further flight, 
remove the oil cooler blower assembly from service and replace with 
an airworthy part.
    (3) Reinstall the drive ring, spline adapter, and the forward 
short shaft. If the compressor drive pulley was or removed, torque 
the drive pulley to 200-300 in-lbs, increasing torque in this range 
to align the four threaded holes with the through holes in the drive 
ring. Do not back-off torque to align the bolt holes.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Denver ACO, 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 
Denver ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Matthew Bryant, 
Aerospace Engineer, Denver ACO Branch, FAA, 26805 East 68th Avenue, 
Denver, CO 80249; telephone (303) 342-1092; email [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Air 
Comm Corporation, 1575 W 124th Ave. #210, Westminster, CO 80234; 
telephone: (303) 440-4075; email [email protected]. 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.


[[Page 53018]]


    Issued on September 16, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20521 Filed 9-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P