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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)] 

[Rules and Regulations] 

[Pages 33204-33206] 

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] 

[FR Doc No: 2013-12720] 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0470; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-008-AD; Amendment 39-17465; 

AD 2013-11-05] 

RIN 2120-AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. 

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 214B, 214B-1, 

and 214ST helicopters with a certain tail rotor hanger bearing (bearing) installed. This AD requires 

inspecting the bearing to determine whether an incorrectly manufactured seal material is installed on 

the bearing. This AD is prompted by a report that certain bearings were manufactured with an 

incorrect seal material that does not meet Bell specifications. The actions specified by this AD are 

intended to prevent loss of bearing grease, failure of the bearing, and subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 19, 2013. 

 The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 

documents listed in this AD as of June 19, 2013. 

 We must receive comments on this AD by August 5, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://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. 

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Examining the AD Docket 

 You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at 

the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is 

in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

 For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 

482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at 

http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, 

Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 

Texas 76137. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft 

Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 

telephone (817) 222-5762; email 7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited 

 This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not provide 

you with notice and an opportunity to provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. 

However, we invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or 

views. We also invite comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism 

impacts that resulted from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion 

of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure 

the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 

comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should submit them only one time. 

We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as a report summarizing each 

substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the comment 

period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may conduct additional rulemaking based 

on those comments. 

Discussion 

 We are adopting a new AD for Bell Model 214B, 214B-1, and 214ST helicopters with certain 

bearings installed. Bell was notified by a supplier that all part number 214-040-606-005 and 214-040-

606-101 bearings delivered between May 2011 and June 2012 were manufactured with incorrect seal 

material. The incorrect seal material does not meet Bell's operating and environmental temperature 

specifications and under extreme heat could result in seal failure and grease loss from the bearing. 

The incorrect seal material is black in color; the correctly manufactured bearings have a red/orange to 

brown colored seal. 

FAA's Determination 

 We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the 

unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same 

type designs. 

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Related Service Information 

 Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 214-13-74, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013, for 

Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 28001 through 28070, and ASB 214ST-13-

90, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214ST helicopters, S/N 28101 through 28200. Both 

ASBs describe procedures for determining whether any bearing with incorrect seal material is 

installed on the helicopter and for inspecting any installed bearing with incorrect seal material every 

10 hours time-in-service (TIS). Both ASBs also specify replacing any bearing with incorrect seal 

material that is leaking grease or damaged. Finally, the ASBs specify replacing any bearing with 

incorrect seal material within 500 hours TIS or by December 31, 2013. 

AD Requirements 

 This AD requires: 

• Inspecting each bearing within 10 hours TIS to determine whether the bearing has correct seal 

material. 

• If a bearing has incorrect seal material, inspecting the bearing at intervals not to exceed 10 

hours TIS for leakage, slung grease, or damage. 

• If there is leakage, slung grease, or damage, before further flight, replacing the bearing with 

an airworthy bearing that does not have a black seal, which would be terminating action for 

the requirements of this AD. 

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information 

 The Bell ASBs specify 25 hours TIS for the initial inspection, while this AD requires inspecting 

within 10 hours TIS. The ASBs specify replacing any bearing with black seal material within 500 

hours TIS or by December 31, 2013. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the bearing until the 

bearing is replaced with an airworthy bearing that does not have a black seal. 

Interim Action 

 We consider this AD to be an interim action. We are currently considering requiring the 

replacement of the defective bearings, which will constitute terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections required by this AD action. However, the planned compliance time for the replacement of 

the bearing would allow enough time to provide notice and opportunity for prior public comment on 

the merits of the replacement. 

Costs of Compliance 

 We estimate that this AD will affect 26 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators 

may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. At an average labor cost of $85 per 

hour, inspecting the bearings would require about 2.5 work hours, for a cost per helicopter of $213 

and a cost of $5,538 for the fleet. Replacing a defective bearing would require about 3 work hours, 

and required parts would cost $1,372 per bearing, for a cost per helicopter of $1,627. 

 According to Bell's service information some of the costs of this AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty 

coverage by Bell. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate. 

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FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date 

 Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting these AD requirements would 

delay implementing the safety actions needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we 

find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to the adoption of 

this rule because the required corrective actions must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS, a very 

short time period based on the average flight hour utilization rate of these helicopters. 

 Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD, we determined 

that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that 

good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. 

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. 

 We are 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 

 We 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, I certify that this AD: 

 1. Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 

 2. Is not a ''significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, 

February 26, 1979); 

 3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory 

distinction; and 

 4. 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. 

 We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it 

in the AD docket. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. 

Adoption of 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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

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 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 (AD): 

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FAA 

Aviation Safety

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/ 

www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2013-11-05 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell): Amendment 39-17465; Docket No. FAA-2013-

0470; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-008-AD. 

(a) Applicability 

 This AD applies to Bell Model 214B helicopters, serial number (S/N) 28001 through 28070, 

Model 214B-1 helicopters, S/N 28001 through 28070, and Model 214ST helicopters, S/N 28101 

through 28200, with a tail rotor hanger bearing (bearing), part number (P/N) 214-040-606-005 or 

214-040-606-101 installed, certificated in any category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

 This AD defines the unsafe condition as a bearing with incorrect seal material, which could fail 

under extreme temperature or environmental conditions, resulting in loss of tail rotor control and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

 This AD becomes effective June 19, 2013. 

(d) Compliance 

 You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified 

compliance time. 

(e) Required Actions 

 (1) Within 10 hours time in service (TIS): 

 (i) Inspect each bearing to determine whether the seal material is correct, as described in the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part 1–Inspection, paragraphs 1.a. through 2. and Figure 1 of Bell 

Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 214-13-74, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214B and 

214B-1 helicopters and ASB 214ST-13-90, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214ST 

helicopters. 

 (ii) For each bearing with black seal material, before further flight and thereafter at intervals not 

to exceed 10 hours TIS, inspect the bearing for leakage, slung grease, or damage. If there is any 

leakage, slung grease, or damage, before further flight, replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing 

with red/orange to brown color seal material. 

 (2) Replacing a bearing with an airworthy bearing with the correct red/orange to brown color 

seal material terminates the inspection requirements of this AD. 

 (3) Do not install bearing P/N 214-040-606-005 or 214-040-606-101 with black seal material on 

any helicopter. 

(f) Special Flight Permits 

 Special flight permits are prohibited. 

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(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 

 (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send 

your proposal to: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft 

Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5762; email 

7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov. 

 (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 

91, subpart K, we suggest 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. 

(h) Subject 

 Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6500: Tail Rotor Drive Bearing. 

(i) 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 No. 214-13-74, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013. 

 (ii) Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 214ST-13-90, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013. 

 (3) For Bell service information identified in this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. 

Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at 

http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. 

 (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 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, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

 Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 17, 2013. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

PREVIOUSLY ISSUED AD