Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 236 / Tuesday, December 8, 2020 / Proposed Rules 78977 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020–0177, dated 

August 11, 2020 (EASA AD 2020–0177). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020–0177 

(1) Where EASA AD 2020–0177 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(2) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2020–0177 does not apply to this AD. 

(3) Paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020–0177 

specifies amending ‘‘the AFM [aircraft flight 

manual] with the data as specified in Table 

1,’’ but this AD requires amending ‘‘the 

existing AFM and applicable corresponding 

operational procedures to incorporate the 

limitations and procedures specified in Table 

1 of EASA AD 2020–0177.’’ 

(4) The provisions specified in paragraphs 

(3) and (4) of EASA AD 2020–0177 do not 

apply to this AD. 

(i) Terminating Action for ADs 96–09–28 and 

99–09–19 

(1) Accomplishing the actions required by 

this AD terminates the requirements of 

paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of AD 96–09–28 for 

that airplane. 

(2) Accomplishing the actions required by 

this AD terminates all requirements of AD 

99–09–19 for that airplane. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft 

Section, 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 responsible Flight 

Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending 

information directly to the Large Aircraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any 

approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector, or lacking a principal 

inspector, the manager of the responsible 

Flight Standards Office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain instructions 

from a manufacturer, the instructions must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA; or 

EASA; or ATR—GIE Avions de Transport 

Re ́gional’s EASA Design Organization 

Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, 

the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For information about EASA AD 2020– 

0177, contact the EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 

+49 221 8999 000; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website at https://

ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 

material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 

Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. This 

material may be found in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1112. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 

Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3220; email 

shahram.daneshmandi@faa.gov. 

Issued on December 2, 2020. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–26870 Filed 12–7–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0270; Product 

Identifier 2019–SW–018–AD] 

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: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier 

proposed Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 205B 

helicopters which proposed to require 

reducing the life limit of certain tail 

rotor (T/R) blades and re-identifying 

certain T/R blades with a new part 

number (P/N). The notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) was prompted by 

flight testing and fatigue analysis 

results. This action revises the NPRM by 

adding additional T/R part numbers (P/ 

Ns) to the proposed applicability. The 

FAA is proposing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

Since these actions would impose an 

additional burden over those in the 

NPRM, the FAA is reopening the 

comment period to allow the public the 

chance to comment on these changes. 

DATES: The comment period for the 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on March 25, 2020 (85 FR 

16916), is reopened. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this SNPRM by January 22, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Docket: 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 the 

‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this SNPRM, contact Bell Helicopter 

Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, 

TX 76101; telephone 817–280–3391; fax 

817–280–6466; or at https://

www.bellcustomer.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–2020– 

0270; 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 SNPRM, 

any comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management 

Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone 817–222–5198; email 

kuethe.harmon@faa.gov. 

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–2020–0270; Product Identifier 

2019–SW–018–AD’’ 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 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
78978 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 236 / Tuesday, December 8, 2020 / Proposed Rules 

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 proposal. 

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 Kuethe Harmon, 

Safety Management Program Manager, 

DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 

Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 

817–222–5198; email kuethe.harmon@

faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA 

receives which is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 

Discussion 

The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 

14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that 

would apply to Bell Model 205B 

helicopters with a T/R blade P/N 212– 

010–750–009 or 212–010–750–105 

installed. The NPRM published in the 

Federal Register on March 25, 2020 (85 

FR 16916). The NPRM proposed to 

require reducing the life limit of each 

affected T/R blade; re-identifying the T/ 

R blade P/N on its data plate by vibroetching to change the last three digits of 

the existing P/N; creating a component 

history card or equivalent record; 

revising the Airworthiness Limitations 

section of the existing maintenance 

manual for your helicopter to annotate 

the new P/N and revised life limit; and 

prohibit installing any affected T/R 

blade that has not met the AD 

requirements. The proposed NPRM was 

prompted by flight testing and fatigue 

analysis by Bell which indicated that 

the affected part-numbered T/R blades 

sustain greater loads when installed on 

Bell Model 205B helicopters compared 

to their use on other model helicopters. 

The proposed actions were intended to 

prevent a T/R blade remaining in 

service beyond its fatigue life, resulting 

in failure of the T/R blade and 

subsequent loss control of the 

helicopter. 

Actions Since Previous NPRM Was 

Issued 

Since the FAA issued the NPRM, 

further research by Bell has identified 

additional T/R blade P/Ns, which are 

also subject to the unsafe condition and 

would require re-identification and 

reduced life limits. Accordingly, Bell 

has revised its service information to 

include the additional part numbered 

T/R blades. The FAA has determined 

the NPRM must be revised by revising 

the applicability to include these 

additional part numbered T/R blades 

and the service information must be 

updated to include the revised service 

information with the newly identified 

T/R blade 

P/Ns. 

Comments 

The FAA gave the public the 

opportunity to participate in developing 

this proposed AD. The following 

presents the comment received on the 

NPRM and the FAA’s response to that 

comment. 

Request To Add Additional T/R Blade 

Part Numbers 

Bell requested the Applicability 

paragraph be updated to include the 

newly identified T/R blade P/Ns and 

that the FAA update the corrective 

actions to include those newly 

identified T/R blade P/Ns. Bell stated 

that it is revising the service information 

to address the additional T/R blade P/ 

Ns and the re-identification and life 

limit requirements of those additional 

T/R blades. Accordingly, the commenter 

requested the FAA postpone the release 

of the AD until the part numbers are 

disclosed to the FAA. 

The FAA agrees the NPRM should be 

revised to include the additional T/R 

blade P/Ns and the re-identification and 

life limit requirements of those 

additional T/R blade P/Ns. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is proposing this SNPRM 

after evaluating all known relevant 

information and determining that an 

unsafe condition is likely to exist or 

develop on other helicopters of the same 

type design. Certain changes described 

above expand the scope of the original 

NPRM. As a result, the FAA has 

determined that it is necessary to reopen 

the comment period to provide 

additional opportunity for the public to 

comment on this SNPRM. 

Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed Bell Helicopter 

Textron Alert Service Bulletin No. 

205B–20–70, dated August 6, 2020, for 

Model 205B helicopters. This service 

information specifies reducing the life 

limit of T/R blade P/N 212–010–750– 

109, 212–010–750–111, 212–010–750– 

113, 212–010–750–117, 212–010–750– 

133, 212–010–750–135, 212–010–750– 

117FM, and 212–010–750–135FM to 

2,500 hours time-in-service (TIS). This 

service information also specifies reidentifying certain T/R blade P/Ns by 

assigning new dash number by vibroetching a new P/N on the T/R blade data 

plate and annotating the historical 

record card. 

The FAA also reviewed Bell 

Helicopter Textron Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 205B–98–27, dated June 1, 

1998, for Model 205B helicopters. This 

service information specifies reducing 

the life limit of T/R blade P/N 212–010– 

750–009 and 212–010–750–105 to 2,500 

hours TIS and assigning these T/R 

blades a new dash number by vibroetching a new P/N on the T/R blade data 

plate and annotating the historical 

record card. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require, 

before further flight, reducing the life 

limit of each affected T/R blade from 

5,000 hours TIS to 2,500 hours TIS; reidentifying certain part numbered T/R 

blades by vibro-etching to change the 

last three digits of the existing P/N; 

creating a component history card or 

equivalent record; and revising the 

Airworthiness Limitations section of the 

existing maintenance manual for your 

helicopter to annotate the new P/N and 

revised life limit. Finally, this SNPRM 

would prohibit installing any affected 

T/R blade that has not met the proposed 

AD requirements. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this proposed 

AD would affect 2 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 workhour. 

Determining the total hours TIS of a 

T/R blade, re-identifying the P/N, and 

updating the helicopter records would 

take about 1 work-hour for each T/R 

blade for an estimated cost of $170 per 

helicopter and $340 for the U.S fleet. 

Replacing a T/R blade would take 

about 8 work-hours and parts would 

cost about $29,110 for an estimated cost 

of $29,790 per T/R blade. 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 236 / Tuesday, December 8, 2020 / Proposed Rules 78979 

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. 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 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 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate 

Previously Held by Bell Helicopter 

Textron Inc.) Helicopters: Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0270; Product Identifier 

2019–SW–018–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments by 

January 22, 2021. 

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives (AD) 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) 

Model 205B helicopters, certificated in any 

category, with a tail rotor (T/R) blade part 

number (P/N) 212–010–750–009, 212–010– 

750–105, 212–010–750–109, 212–010–750– 

111, 212–010–750–113, 212–010–750–117, 

212–010–750–133, 212–010–750–135, 212– 

010–750–117FM, or 212–010–750–135FM 

installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 6410 Tail Rotor Blades. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by flight testing 

and fatigue analysis that indicates that these 

part-numbered T/R blades sustain greater 

loads when used on Bell Model 205B 

helicopters compared to their use on other 

model helicopters. The FAA is issuing this 

AD to prevent a T/R blade from remaining in 

service beyond its fatigue life, resulting in 

failure of the T/R blade and subsequent loss 

of control of the helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for performing each 

action required by this AD within the 

specified compliance time unless it has 

already been accomplished prior to that time. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Before further flight: 

(i) Determine the total hours time-inservice (TIS) of each T/R blade and remove 

from service each T/R blade that has 

accumulated 2,500 or more hours TIS. For 

each T/R blade that has accumulated less 

than 2,500 hours TIS, do the following: 

(ii) Re-identify the P/N on the T/R blade 

data plate by vibro-etching to change the last 

three digits of the existing P/N as follows: 

(A) For T/R blade P/N 212–010–750–009, 

re-identify the P/N as 212–010–750–111. 

(B) For T/R blade P/N 212–010–750–105, 

re-identify the P/N as 212–010–750–109. 

(C) For T/R blade P/N 212–010–750–113, 

re-identify the P/N as 212–010–750–117FM. 

(D) For T/R blade P/N 212–010–750–133, 

re-identify the P/N as 212–010–750–135FM. 

(iii) Create a component history card or 

equivalent record to reflect the change in P/ 

N for each T/R blade, and establish a life 

limit of 2,500 hours TIS. 

(iv) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations 

Section of the existing maintenance manual 

or the Instructions for Continued 

Airworthiness for your helicopter to establish 

a life limit of 2,500 hours TIS for each T/R 

blade P/N 212–010–750–109, P/N 212–010– 

750–111, P/N 212–010–750–117, P/N 212– 

010–750–135, P/N 212–010–750–117FM, and 

P/N212–010–750–135FM. 

(2) Thereafter, except as provided in 

paragraph (i), no alternative life limits may 

be approved for T/R blade P/N 212–010–750– 

009, P/N 212–010–750–105, P/N 212–010– 

750–113, or P/N 212–010–750–133. 

(3) After the effective date of this AD, do 

not install a T/R blade P/N 212–010–750– 

009, P/N 212–010–750–105, P/N 212–010– 

750–113, or P/N 212–010–750–133 on any 

Model 205B helicopter unless the part 

number has been changed and the life limit 

reduced in accordance with this AD. 

(4) After the effective date of this AD do 

not install a T/R blade P/N 212–010–750– 

109, P/N 212–010–750–111, P/N 212–010– 

750–117, P/N 212–010–750–135, P/N 212– 

010–750–117FM, or P/N 212–010–750– 

135FM, on any Model 205B helicopter unless 

the life limit has been reduced in accordance 

with this AD. 

(h) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(i) 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, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ASW-190- 

COS@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a 14 

CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 

14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 

that you notify your principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office or 

certificate holding district office before 

operating any aircraft complying with this 

AD through an AMOC. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management 

Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone 817–222–5198; email 

kuethe.harmon@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Bell Textron Inc., P.O. Box 

482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone 817– 

280–3391; fax 817–280–6466; or at https://

www.bellcustomer.com. You may view 

service information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, 

TX 76177. 

Issued on November 12, 2020. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–26856 Filed 12–7–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS