[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1668-1670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00351]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1003; Project Identifier AD-2021-01141-R; 
Amendment 39-21899; AD 2022-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-15-

[[Page 1669]]

51, which applied to Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously 
held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 
and 212 helicopters. AD 2021-15-51 required removing certain main rotor 
hub strap pins (pins) from service and prohibited installing them on 
any helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-15-51, it was determined 
that a defective pin could also be installed on Bell Textron Inc. Model 
210 helicopters. This AD continues the required actions in AD 2021-15-
51 and expands the applicability to add Model 210 helicopters. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 16, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Bell Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 
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 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.govby 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1003; 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, any 
comments received, and other information. The 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: David Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, DSCO 
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5786; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued Emergency AD 2021-15-51 on July 6, 2021, and it 
published as a Final rule; request for comments on August 9, 2021 as 
Amendment 39-21678 (86 FR 43406) (AD 2021-15-51). AD 2021-15-51 applied 
to Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 
helicopters with a pin part number (P/N) 204-012-104-005 with a serial 
number (S/N) prefix ``FNFS'' installed. AD 2021-15-51 was prompted by a 
fatal accident of a Model 212 helicopter in which a pin P/N 204-012-
104-005 with an S/N prefix ``FNFS'' sheared off during flight, which 
resulted in the main rotor blade and the main rotor head detaching from 
the helicopter. The pin had accumulated only 20 total hours time-in-
service (TIS). An inspection of a different Model 212 helicopter 
revealed that another pin installed, and made by the same manufacturer 
and with the same S/N prefix, was deformed; this pin had accumulated 
only 29 total hours TIS. Because an affected pin could also be 
installed on other helicopters, AD 2021-15-51 also applied to Model 
204B, 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters. Failure of a pin could result 
in the main rotor blade detaching from the helicopter and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.
    After AD 2021-15-51 was issued, it was determined that an affected 
pin could also be installed on Model 210 helicopters. Therefore, the 
FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 
39 to supersede AD 2021-15-51. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on November 19, 2021 (86 FR 64832) and it proposed to continue 
to require all of the requirements of AD 2021-15-51 and add Model 210 
helicopters to the applicability.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adoption of the AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. 
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), each Revision 
A and dated July 22, 2021:
     ASB 204B-21-74 for Model 204B helicopters, S/Ns 2001 
through 2070 and 2196 through 2199;
     ASB 205-21-117 for Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, S/Ns 
30001 through 30065, 30067 through 30165, 30167 through 30187, 30189 
through 30296, and 30298 through 30332;
     ASB 205B-21-71 for Model 205B helicopters, S/Ns 30066, 
30166, 30188 and 30297;
     ASB 210-21-14 for all Model 210 helicopters, and
     ASB 212-21-165 for Model 212 helicopters, S/Ns 30501 
through 30999, 31101 through 31311, 32101 through 32142, and 35001 
through 35103.
    The ASBs specify removing all P/N 204-012-104-005 pins with an S/N 
prefix ``FNFS'' before further flight. The ASBs also specify that, 
although the investigation is still in progress, removing these pins 
from service is required. The ASBs state that these pins may not have 
been manufactured in accordance with the engineering design 
requirements and may therefore shear as a result of this 
nonconformance.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action 
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 155 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 up to four pins takes about 20 work-hours and parts cost 
about $1,756 for four pins for an estimated cost of up to $3,456 per 
helicopter, and up to $535,680 for the U.S. fleet.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals.

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

[[Page 1670]]

develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-15-51, Amendment 39-21678 (86 
FR 43406, August 9, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

FAA-2021-1003 Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.): Amendment 39-21899; Docket No. FAA-
2021-1003; Project Identifier AD-2021-01141-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 16, 
2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-15-51, Amendment 39-21678 (86 FR 43406, 
August 9, 2021) (AD 2021-15-51).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate 
previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 204B, 205A, 
205A-1, 205B, 210, and 212 helicopters, certificated in any 
category, with an outboard main rotor hub strap pin (pin) part 
number 204-012-104-005 with a serial number prefix ``FNFS'' 
installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a fatal accident in which a pin sheared 
off during flight, which resulted in the main rotor blade and the 
main rotor head detaching from the helicopter. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address this unsafe condition and prevent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters:
    (i) Before further flight from August 24, 2021 (the effective 
date of AD 2021-15-51), remove from service any pin that is 
identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (ii) After August 24, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-15-
51), do not install any pin that is identified in paragraph (c) of 
this AD on any helicopter.
    (2) For Model 210 helicopters:
    (i) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
remove from service any pin that is identified in paragraph (c) of 
this AD.
    (ii) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any pin 
that is identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, 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 DSCO Branch, send it to 
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact David Wilson, 
Aerospace Engineer, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
(817) 222-5786; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on January 4, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00351 Filed 1-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P