[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19369-19371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06973]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0006; Project Identifier AD-2021-01298-R; 
Amendment 39-21989; AD 2022-07-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. 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 Inc. Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 
412CF, and 412EP helicopters with a certain part-numbered tailboom left 
hand fin spar cap (spar cap) installed. This AD was prompted by reports 
of cracked spar caps. This AD requires inspecting each spar cap and 
depending on the inspection results, removing the spar cap from 
service. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 9, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 9, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Bell Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101, United 
States; phone: (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. It is 
also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0006.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0006; 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: Ameet Shrotriya, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524; phone: (817) 222-5525; 
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 certain serial-numbered 
Bell Textron Inc. Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and 
412EP helicopters with a spar cap part number 212-030-447-117 
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 21, 
2022 (87 FR 3244). The NPRM was prompted by multiple reports of fatigue 
cracking in the spar caps. Metallurgical lab reports identified that 
the cracks originate at the rivet holes, possibly from mechanical 
damage caused during deburring. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 
require inspecting each spar cap and depending on the inspection 
results, removing the spar cap from service before further flight. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

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 adopting this 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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed the following Bell Alert Service Bulletins, each 
dated April 15, 2020 (ASB):
     ASB 205-20-116 for Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, 
serial numbers (S/N) 30001 through 30065, 30067 through 30165, 30167 
through 30187, 30189 through 30296, and 30298 through 30332;
     ASB 205B-20-69 for Model 205B helicopters, S/N 30066, 
30166, 30188, and 30297;
     ASB 210-20-13 for all serial-numbered Model 210 
helicopters;
     ASB 212-20-162 for Model 212 helicopters, S/N 30502 
through 30603, 30611 through 30999, 31101 through 31311, 32101 through 
32142, and 35001 through 35103;
     ASB 412-20-180 for Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, S/N 
33001 through 33213, 34001 through 34036, 36001 through 36999, 37002 
through 37999, 38001 through 38999, and 39101 through 39999; and
     ASB 412CF-20-67 for Model 412CF helicopters, S/N 46400 
through 46499.
    Bell received a report of a fractured fin spar cap that occurred at 
vertical fin station (F.S.) 71 through the first rivet hole attaching 
the skin to the spar cap. Bell states that if undetected, the spar

[[Page 19370]]

cap cracking may lead to additional structural damage. Each ASB 
specifies procedures for inspecting both flanges of the spar cap 
between F.S. 50 and F.S. 71 for cracks, loose rivets, and other damage 
using a 10x magnifying glass and flashlight and inspecting the exterior 
of the fin skin where it contacts the spar cap for cracks, loose 
rivets, and/or distortion. If no cracks or other damage are found, each 
ASB specifies returning the helicopter to service; if a crack or other 
damage is found, each ASB specifies contacting Bell's Product Support 
Engineering before further flight. Additionally, each ASB specifies 
that these inspections are to be accomplished within the next 100 
flight hours or 90 days after the ASB's release, whichever occurs 
first, and every 100 flight hours thereafter.
    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.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. The design 
approval holder may develop a modification that will address the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, 
approved, and available, the FAA might consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 226 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD, 
using an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour.
    Each inspection takes about 1 work-hour, and there are no parts 
costs, for an estimated cost of $85 per inspection and $19,210 for the 
U.S. fleet per inspection cycle. Replacing a spar cap, if required, 
takes about 50 work-hours and parts costs about $2,000, for an 
estimated cost of $6,250 per spar cap replacement.

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

    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:

2022-07-02 Bell Textron Inc.: Amendment 39-21989; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0006; Project Identifier AD-2021-01298-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 9, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Bell Textron Inc. helicopters 
certificated in any category, with a tailboom left hand fin spar cap 
(spar cap) part number 212-030-447-117 installed.
    (1) Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 30001 
through 30065 inclusive, 30067 through 30165 inclusive, 30167 
through 30187 inclusive, 30189 through 30296 inclusive, and 30298 
through 30332 inclusive;
    (2) Model 205B helicopters, S/N 30066, 30166, 30188, and 30297;
    (3) Model 210 helicopters, all S/Ns;
    (4) Model 212 helicopters, S/N 30502 through 30603 inclusive, 
30611 through 30999 inclusive, 31101 through 31311 inclusive, 32101 
through 32142 inclusive, and 35001 through 35103 inclusive;
    (5) Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, S/N 33001 through 33213 
inclusive, 34001 through 34036 inclusive, 36001 through 36999 
inclusive, 37002 through 37999 inclusive, 38001 through 38999 
inclusive, and 39101 through 39999 inclusive; and
    (6) Model 412CF helicopters, S/N 46400 through 46499 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5302, Rotorcraft 
Tail Boom.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of fatigue cracking in the 
spar cap. A crack in the spar cap, if not detected and corrected, 
could create stress concentrations at the edge of the rivet holes, 
resulting in reduced structural integrity of the helicopter and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to detect and prevent this unsafe condition.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date 
of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS:
    (1) Using a 10x or higher power magnifying glass and a 
flashlight, inspect both flanges of the spar cap between fin station 
(F.S.) 50 and F.S. 71 for any crack, loose rivet, and other damage 
such as a scratch, dent, spalling, or corrosion, as depicted in 
Figure 1 of Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 205-20-116, ASB 205B-
20-69, ASB 210-20-13, ASB 212-20-162, ASB 412-20-180, or ASB 412CF-
20-67, each dated April 15, 2020, as applicable to your helicopter. 
If either spar cap flange is cracked, has a loose rivet, or has 
other damage, remove the spar cap from service before further 
flight.
    (2) Inspect the exterior of the fin skin in the area that 
contacts the spar cap for any crack, loose rivets, and distortion. 
If there is any crack, loose rivet, or distortion in the fin skin in 
the area that contacts the spar cap, remove the spar cap from 
service before further flight.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO 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 
certification office,

[[Page 19371]]

send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) 
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

    For more information about this AD, contact Ameet Shrotriya, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524; 
phone: (817) 222-5525; email: [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 Alert Service Bulletin 205-20-116, dated April 15, 
2020.
    (ii) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 205B-20-69, dated April 15, 
2020.
    (iii) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 210-20-13, dated April 15, 
2020.
    (iv) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 212-20-162, dated April 15, 
2020.
    (v) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 412-20-180, dated April 15, 
2020.
    (vi) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 412CF-20-67, dated April 15, 
2020.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, 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.
    (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 March 15, 2022.
Derek Morgan,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06973 Filed 4-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P