[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22900-22903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07779]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1488; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00788-R;
Amendment 39-22391; AD 2023-06-05]
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 all
Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1,
206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a
loss of tail rotor (TR) drive due to a failure of an adhesively bonded
joint between an adapter and a tube on one of the segmented TR drive
shaft (TRDS) assemblies. This AD requires determining if an affected
TRDS is installed; repetitively inspecting the bond line for damage;
repetitively performing a proof load test of the TRDS assembly; and
depending on the results of the inspections or the proof load tests,
removing an affected TRDS from service and replacing it with a
serviceable TRDS. This AD also prohibits installing a TRDS unless it
meets certain requirements, as specified in a Transport Canada AD,
which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 19, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 19,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1488; 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
[[Page 22901]]
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For Transport Canada material that is incorporated by
reference in this final rule, contact Transport Canada, Transport
Canada National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean,
Ontario, K1A 0N5, CANADA; telephone 888-663-3639; email
[email protected];
internet tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
You may view this material 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
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1488.
Other Related Service Information: For Bell service information
identified in this final rule, contact Bell Textron Canada Limited,
12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; telephone 1-
450-437-2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax 1-450-433-0272; email
[email protected]; or at bellflight.com/support/contact-support. This service information is also available at the FAA contact
information under Material Incorporated by Reference above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33, dated June 15, 2022 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2022-33), to correct an unsafe condition for Bell Textron
Canada Limited Model 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3
and 206L-4 helicopters, all serial numbers.
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 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-
3, and 206L-4 helicopters, all serial numbers.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2022 (87
FR 72899). The NPRM was prompted by a report in which a Bell Textron
Canada Limited Model 206L-1 helicopter experienced loss of TR drive
during a maintenance test flight, which was due to a failure of an
adhesively bonded joint between an adapter and a tube on one of the
segmented TRDS assemblies. The NPRM proposed to require determining if
an affected TRDS is installed; repetitively inspecting the bond line
for damage; repetitively performing a proof load test of the TRDS
assembly; and depending on the results of the inspections or the proof
load tests, removing an affected TRDS from service and replacing it
with a serviceable TRDS. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing
a TRDS unless it meets certain requirements, as specified in Transport
Canada AD CF-2022-33.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from one individual commenter. The
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request To Not Incorporate the Transport Canada AD by Reference
One individual requested that the FAA not reference Transport
Canada AD CF-2022-33 in the FAA AD. The commenter stated Transport
Canada AD CF-2022-33 either repeats the instructions found in the alert
service bulletin (ASB) or directs the reader to the ASB. Additionally,
the commenter stated referencing Transport Canada ADs is a new practice
and the Transport Canada ADs should only be referenced if they make a
substantial addition to the ASB requirements.
The FAA disagrees with both the request to not require compliance
with Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 in the FAA AD and the request to
discontinue the method of requiring compliance with some foreign ADs
issued by the foreign state of design authority. In the FAA's ongoing
efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed
a process to use some civil aviation authority ADs as the primary
source of information for compliance with requirements for
corresponding FAA ADs. FAA ADs that require compliance with foreign ADs
have been utilized since 2018 for some products and since 2022 for Bell
Textron Canada Limited helicopters. Referring to Transport Canada AD
CF-2022-33 minimizes the need for Alternative Methods of Compliance.
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, considered the
comments received, 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. This AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 requires determining if a helicopter
has an affected TRDS installed. If there is an affected TRDS installed,
Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 requires performing a repetitive
detailed inspection of the bond line of the inboard end of the flange
and, if there is damage, replacing the affected TRDS with a serviceable
TRDS. Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 also requires performing a
repetitive proof load test of the TRDS assembly and replacing any TRDS
that fails the proof load test. Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 also
prohibits installing a TRDS unless certain requirements are met.
This material 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.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Bell ASB 206-20-139, Revision A, dated August
21, 2020 for Model 206A, 206B, and TH-67 helicopters, and Bell ASB
206L-20-184, Revision C, dated January 14, 2021 for Model 206L, 206L-1,
206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. This service information specifies
procedures for repetitive detailed visual inspections and proof load
tests of installed bonded TRDSs, and replacement of an affected bonded
TRDS that fails a visual inspection or proof load test with a
serviceable segmented bonded TRDS or a riveted TRDS. This service
information also specifies that replacing all the bonded TRDS
assemblies with riveted TRDS assemblies is a terminating action for the
repetitive visual inspections and proof load tests.
The FAA reviewed Bell Helicopter Technical Bulletin (TB) No. 206-
06-186, Revision B, dated September 7, 2007, and Bell Helicopter
Textron TB No. 206L-02-207, Revision A, dated
[[Page 22902]]
January 22, 2003, which both specify procedures for installing a
riveted TRDS and rotor break disc; inspecting the aft short shaft and
driveshaft assemblies; and stripping and painting the aft short shaft
and driveshaft assemblies.
Differences Between This AD, the Transport Canada AD, and the Service
Information
Where the service information referenced in Transport Canada AD CF-
2022-33 specifies recording certain information in the event of a bond
line failure and notifying Bell Product Support Engineering of the
findings, this AD does not require recording any information or
reporting any information to Bell Product Support Engineering.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1,395 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.
Determining if an affected TRDS is installed takes about 0.5 work-
hour for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $59,985 for the
U.S. fleet.
Inspecting the bond line and performing a proof load test takes
about 1.5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $128 per helicopter per
inspection cycle.
Replacing an affected TRDS assembly takes about 12 work-hours and
parts cost up to $32,708 for an estimated cost of up to $33,728 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
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:
2023-06-05 Bell Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-22391; Docket
No. FAA-2022-1488; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00788-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 19, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206A-
1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4
helicopters, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor
Drive Shaft.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a loss of tail rotor (TR) drive due to a
failure of an adhesively bonded joint between an adapter and a tube
on one of the segmented TR drive shaft (TRDS) assemblies. The FAA is
issuing this AD to detect degradation of the adhesive bond of the
TRDS assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result
in loss of TR drive and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33, dated June 15, 2022
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33).
(h) Exceptions To Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33
(1) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 requires compliance in
terms of air time, this AD requires using hours time-in-service
(TIS).
(2) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 defines ``Affected
TRDS,'' for this AD replace each instance of the text ``affected
TRDS,'' with ``a TRDS with a part number (P/N) that is not one of
the riveted TRDS P/Ns listed in the accomplishment instructions of
Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-20-139, Revision A, dated
August 21, 2020 (ASB 206-20-139 Rev A) or Bell ASB 206L-20-184,
Revision C, dated January 14, 2021 (ASB 206L-20-184 Rev C) as
applicable to your model helicopter.''
(4) Where Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33 defines ``Serviceable
part,'' for this AD replace each instance of the text ``serviceable
part,'' with ``a riveted TRDS with a P/N that is listed in the
accomplishment instructions of ASB 206-20-139 Rev A or ASB 206L-20-
184 Rev C as applicable to your model helicopter; or an affected
TRDS that has been inspected and proof load tested in accordance
with the requirements of this AD within the past 300 hours TIS or
within the last 12 months, whichever occurs first.''
(5) Where the service information referenced in Transport Canada
AD CF-2022-33 specifies scrapping or discarding a part, this AD
requires removing that part from service.
(6) Where the service information referenced in Transport Canada
AD CF-2022-33 specifies in the event of a bond line failure,
recording the torque value at which it failed, the affected shaft
position, part number, serial number, and which end failed, and
notifying Bell Product Support Engineering of the findings, this AD
does not require recording any discrepancies or reporting any
information to Bell Product Support Engineering.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in Transport Canada
AD CF-2022-33 specifies to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
[[Page 22903]]
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) 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 (l) 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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley,
Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Transport Canada AD CF-2022-33, dated June 15, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada service information identified in this
AD, contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft
Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5,
CANADA; telephone 888-663-3639; email [email protected]; internet tc.canada.ca/en/
aviation.
(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 material 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on March 16, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07779 Filed 4-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P