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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 92 (Monday, May 13, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27869-27872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11240]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0400; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-48-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
(Bell) Model Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell

[[Page 27870]]

Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 
407, 427, and 430 helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting each bearing to determine if it has been properly staked and 
replacing the bearing or assembly if it has not been staked properly. 
This proposed AD is prompted by bearings not being staked as required 
and migrating out of their proper position, which may limit the 
functionality of the affected part. The proposed actions are intended 
to prevent failure of a bearing and the assembly in which it is 
installed and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 12, 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.

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 proposed 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 proposed AD, contact 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax 
(450) 433-0272, 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: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email sharon.y.miles@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    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 might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Canadian AD No. CF-2009-32, dated July 24, 2009, to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified Bell model helicopters. Transport 
Canada advises that some bearings may not have been staked as required, 
which may limit the proper functioning of the affected part. Bell, the 
helicopter manufacturer, received two reports stating that a bearing 
migrated out of a flight control lever. Investigation revealed that, 
although the inspection witness mark was applied to the part, the 
bearing had not been staked during manufacturing. Affected parts were 
associated with a single Bell supplier. Review of the supplier's 
manufacturing and quality process indicates inspection of additional 
parts is necessary.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada has notified us 
of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are proposing this AD 
because we evaluated all known relevant information and determined that 
an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of these same type designs.

Related Service Information

    Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-09-122 for 
Model 206A/B series; No. 206L-09-156 for Model 206L series; No. 222-09-
107 for Model 222 and 222B; No. 222U-09-78 for Model 222U; No. 230-09-
39 for Model 230; No. 407-09-88 for Model 407; No. 427-09-25 for Model 
427; and No. 430-09-42, for Model 430, all dated April 7, 2009. The 
ASBs specify inspecting for parts that contain bearings that have not 
been staked.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require using a 10X or higher power 
magnifying glass or a boroscope to inspect each bearing in each 
affected part to determine if each bearing has been properly staked. 
This proposed AD would only require parts that contain a serial number 
with a prefix of ``TI'' or ``TIFS,'' or parts without a serial number 
even if the part has a supplier marking with a circle around a ``T.M.'' 
over a ``1,'' to be inspected. If you cannot access the part to 
determine if the bearing is properly staked, this proposed AD would 
require removing the part from the helicopter to inspect it.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 2,601 
helicopters of U.S. registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per 
work-hour, we estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. It would take about 1 to 5 work-hours per 
helicopter, depending on the model, to inspect for properly staked 
bearings. Replacing a bearing would require about 2 work-hours and 
would cost $3,306 for required parts. Based on an average inspection 
time of 2 work-hours, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD to 
inspect the helicopters would be $170 per helicopter and $442,170 for 
the U.S. operator fleet. Replacing a bearing would cost $3,476 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.

[[Page 27871]]

    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 product(s) identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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.

The Proposed 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 (AD):

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2013-0400; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-48-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-
4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters as follows, 
certificated in any category.
    (1) Model 206A, Model 206B helicopters converted from Model 
206A, and Model 206B with Bellcrank Assembly, part-number (P/N) 206-
001-526-001 or 206-001-538-009; Idler Link Assembly, P/N 206-010-
336-109; or Link Assembly, P/N 206-031-589-001, installed.
    (2) Model 206L, Model 206L-1, Model 206L-3, and Model 206L-4 
with Idler Assembly, P/N 206-001-549-101; Bellcrank Assembly, P/N 
206-001-552-001; or Link Assembly, P/N 206-010-336-109, installed.
    (3) Model 222 and Model 222B with
    (i) Cyclic Link Assembly, P/N 222-010-419-110; or
    (ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-
001 or 222-001-736-005, installed.
    (4) Model 222U with
    (i) Cyclic Link Assembly, P/N 222-010-419-110; or
    (ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-
001 or 222-001-736-005, installed.
    (5) Model 230 with
    (i) Fitting Assembly Engine Bipod Mount, P/N 230-060-113-101, 
230-060-113-102, 230-060-114-101, or 230-060-114-102; Cyclic Link 
Assembly P/N 222-010-419-110; or
    (ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-
001, or 222-001-736-005, installed.
    (6) Model 407 with
    (i) Bearing and Liner Assembly, P/N 406-010-417-101; Cyclic 
Mixer Follower Assembly, P/N 407-001-325-101; Bellcrank Assembly, P/
N 407-001-524-105, 407-001-524-109, 407-001-526-105, 407-001-526-
109, 407-001-528-101, or 407-001-528-105; or
    (ii) Beam Assembly, P/N 407-001-723-101, installed.
    (7) Model 427 with Swashplate Lateral Link Assembly (upper and 
lower bearing), P/N 427-001-021-101; Swashplate Longitudinal Link 
Assembly (upper and lower bearing), P/N 427-001-022-101; 
Transmission Mounted Longitudinal Bellcrank Assembly (pivot 
bearing), P/N 427-001-521-105/-109; Transmission Mounted Lateral 
Bellcrank Assembly (pivot bearing), P/N 427-001-520-109/-113; or 
Bearing and Liner (lower drive link bearing), P/N 406-010-417-109, 
installed.
    (8) Model 427 with Tail Rotor Actuator Output Idler, P/N 427-
001-723-101, installed.
    (9) Model 430 with
    (i) Fitting Assembly Engine Bipod Mount, P/N 230-060-113-101, 
230-060-113-102, 230-060-114-101, or 230-060-114-102; Bearing 
Assembly M/R Rotating Controls, P/N 430-010-449-101; Rod End 
Assembly Lift link, P/N 430-010-204-101 or 430-010-204-103, or
    (ii) Bellcrank Assembly Directional Controls, P/N 222-001-734-
001, or 222-001-736-005, installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as bearings that may not 
have been staked as required and may migrate out of their proper 
position and limit the functionality of the affected part. This 
condition could result in failure of a bearing and the lever 
assembly in which it is installed and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 12, 2013.

(d) 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.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Perform each action required by this AD within the 
compliance time for each part listed in the applicability paragraph 
of this AD as follows: (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(6)(i), (a)(7), and 
(a)(8), within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days, whichever 
occurs first; (a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(i), (a)(5)(i), and (a)(9)(i), within 
5 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs first; (a)(3)(ii), 
(a)(4)(ii), (a)(5)(ii), and (a)(9)(ii) within 150 hours TIS or 12 
months, whichever occurs first; and (a)(6)(ii) within 300 hours TIS 
or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass or using a 
boroscope, inspect each bearing and determine if the bearing has 
been properly staked for each part that contains a part serial 
number with a prefix of either ``TI'' or ``TIFS.''
    (i) If a part does not contain a serial number, inspect the 
bearing of that part even if that part contains a supplier marking.
    (ii) If you cannot access the bearing while the part is 
installed on the helicopter to make a determination as to whether 
the bearing in

[[Page 27872]]

the part is properly staked, remove the part and inspect the bearing 
using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass or using a boroscope.
    (iii) If you find a part that is not properly staked, replace 
the bearing or the assembly with an airworthy bearing or assembly 
before further flight.

 (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to Sharon Miles, ASW-111, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance 
Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 
222-5110, email sharon.y.miles@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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 206-09-122 for Models 
206A and 206B; No. 206L-09-156 for Models 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 
206L-4; No. 222-09-107 for Models 222 and 222B; No. 222U-09-78 for 
Model 222U; No. 230-09-39 for Model 230; No. 407-09-88 for Model 
407; No. 427-09-25 for Model 427; and No. 430-09-42 for Model 430, 
all dated April 7, 2009, which are not incorporated by reference, 
contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For 
service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4, telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023, fax (450) 
433-0272, 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
No. CF-2009-32, dated July 24, 2009.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code: 6700 Rotorcraft 
Flight Controls and 6710 Main Rotor Control.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 26, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-11240 Filed 5-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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