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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 6, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35410-35413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14257]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0539; Project Identifier 2018-SW-048-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206, 206A, 206A-1 (OH-
58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 
407, 427, 429, and 430 helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
removing each shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip (comfort clip) 
from service, inspecting the shoulder harness seat belt for any rip or 
abrasion, and removing any shoulder harness seat belt from service that 
has a rip or abrasion. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing 
any comfort clip on any helicopter. This proposed AD was prompted by a 
report of a comfort clip interfering with the seat belt inertia reel. 
The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 20, 
2021.

[[Page 35411]]

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 ``Mail'' address between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 
J7J1R4; telephone 1-450-437-2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax 1-450-433-0272; 
email [email protected]; or at https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. 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-2021-
0539; 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 NPRM, the Transport Canada AD, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Warwick, Aerospace Engineer, 
Certification Section, Fort Worth ACO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5225; email [email protected].

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-2021-0539; Project Identifier 
2018-SW-048-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 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 NPRM.

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 
Steven Warwick, Aerospace Engineer, Certification Section, Fort Worth 
ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5225; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Canadian AD CF-2018-16, dated June 14, 2018 (Transport Canada AD 
CF-2018-16), to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-numbered 
Bell Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-
4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429 and 430 helicopters. Transport 
Canada advises that Bell delivered comfort clips with some helicopters, 
and that these comfort clips, which were also sold as spare parts or 
accessories, were intended to improve occupant comfort by reducing 
shoulder harness tension. However, Transport Canada advises the comfort 
clip may interfere with the shoulder harness inertia reel, preventing 
the harness from locking and resulting in injury to the occupant during 
an emergency landing. To prevent this unsafe condition, Transport 
Canada AD CF-2018-16 requires, within 25 hours air time or 10 days, 
whichever occurs first, determining if the comfort clips are installed. 
If the comfort clips are installed, Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16 
requires removing them from service within 100 hours air time or 30 
days, whichever occurs first, and inspecting each shoulder harness seat 
belt for damage and replacing any shoulder harness seat belt that has 
damage that exceeds allowable limits before further flight. Transport 
Canada AD CF-2018-16 also prohibits the installation of any comfort 
clip on any helicopter.

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 
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 is proposing this AD 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 
designs.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed the following Bell Helicopter Alert Service 
Bulletins (ASBs), each dated January 11, 2016:
     ASB 222-15-112 for Bell Model 222, 222B, and 222U 
helicopters with serial numbers (S/N) 47006 through 47089, 47131 
through 47156, and 47501 through 47574 (ASB 222-15-112);
     ASB 230-15-46 for Bell Model 230 helicopters with S/N 
23001 through 23038;
     ASB 407-15-111 for Model 407 helicopters with S/N 53000 
through 53900, 53911 through 54166, and 54300 through 54599;
     ASB 427-15-39 for Model 427 helicopters with S/N 56001 
through 56084, 58001 and 58002 (ASB 427-15-39);
     ASB 429-15-27 for Model 429 helicopters with S/N 57001 
through 57259 (ASB 429-15-27); and
     ASB 430-15-56 for Model 430 helicopters with S/N 49001 
through 49129.
    The FAA also reviewed the following Bell Helicopter ASBs, both 
Revision A and both dated February 5, 2016:
     ASB 206-15-133 for Model 206A/B and TH-67 helicopters with 
S/N 4 through 4690 and 5101 through 5313 (ASB 206-15-133); and

[[Page 35412]]

     ASB 206L-15-175 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 
helicopters with S/N 45001 through 45153, 46601 through 46617, 45154 
through 45790, 51001 through 51612, and 52001 through 52455 (ASB 206L-
15-175).
    All of the ASBs specify removing all variants of comforts clips 
from all seat belt assemblies. ASB 222-15-112, ASB 427-15-39, and ASB 
429-15-27 also specify that although the helicopter models to which 
these ASBs apply were not affected by the original design at the time 
of certification and delivery of the helicopter, the affected parts may 
have been installed post-delivery to end owners/operators of those 
helicopters.
    ASB 206-15-133 and ASB 206L-15-175 also specify that helicopters 
that have been modified per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SH2073SO (installation of shoulder harness restraint system) are 
affected and therefore included in the ASB applicability.
    ASB 206L-15-175 also specifies that helicopters that have been 
modified per STC SH2751SO (installation of a passenger shoulder harness 
restraint system) are affected and therefore included in the ASB 
applicability.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 25 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, removing from service each 
comfort clip and inspecting each shoulder harness seat belt for a rip 
and abrasion. If there is a rip or abrasion, this proposed AD would 
require removing the shoulder harness seat belt from service before 
further flight. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing a 
comfort clip on any helicopter as of the effective date of the proposed 
AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    This proposed AD would require removing the comfort clip and 
inspecting the shoulder harness seat belt within 25 hours TIS; 
Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16 requires inspecting for the presence of 
a comfort clip at 25 hours air time, or 10 days, whichever occurs 
first, and then requires removing the comfort clip, if installed. 
Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16 requires inspecting the shoulder harness 
seat belt for any damage that exceeds allowable limits within 100 hours 
air time or 30 days, whichever occurs first, whereas this proposed AD 
would require the inspection within 25 hours TIS and removing any 
shoulder harness seat belt from service before further flight if there 
is any rip or abrasion.
    Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16 applies to all serial-numbered Model 
206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 
222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429 and 430 helicopters, whereas this 
proposed AD would apply to Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 
206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429 and 430 
helicopters with a comfort clip installed or helicopters that have been 
modified per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SH2073SO (installation 
of shoulder harness restraint system) or STC SH2751SO (installation of 
a passenger shoulder harness restraint system).

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 2,347 
helicopters of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may 
incur the following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. 
Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Removing each comfort clip would take about 0.5 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $43 per clip and up to $807,368 for the U.S. fleet.
    Replacing a shoulder harness seat belt, if required, would take 
about 1 work-hour and parts would cost about $250 per shoulder harness 
seat belt, for an estimated cost of $335 per 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

    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. Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    3. Would 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

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:

Bell Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2021-0539; Project 
Identifier 2018-SW-048-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by August 20, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 206, 
206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 
222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429, and 430 helicopters, 
certificated in any category:
    (1) With a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip (comfort 
clip) installed; or
    (2) That have been modified per Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) SH2073SO (installation of shoulder harness restraint system) 
or STC SH2751SO (installation of a passenger shoulder harness 
restraint system).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500 Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a comfort clip 
interfering with the seat belt

[[Page 35413]]

inertia reel, which could prevent the seatbelt from locking and 
result in injury to the occupant during an emergency landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service, after the effective date of 
this AD:
    (i) Remove each comfort clip from service.
    (ii) Inspect each shoulder harness seat belt for a rip and 
abrasion. If there is a rip or any abrasion, before further flight, 
remove the shoulder harness seat belt from service.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any 
comfort clip on any helicopter.

(h) 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 (i)(1) 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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Steven Warwick, 
Aerospace Engineer, Certification Section, Fort Worth ACO Branch, 
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5225; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 
J7J1R4; telephone 1-450-437-2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax 1-450-433-
0272; email [email protected]; or at https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. You may view this 
referenced 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.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed Transport Canada AD CF-
2018-16, dated June 14, 2018. You may view the Transport Canada AD 
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket in 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0539.

    Issued on June 28, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-14257 Filed 7-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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