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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38946-38949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15534]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0575; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00545-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter 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 certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously 
held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) (Bell) Model 429 
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly 
staked spherical bearings in the directional control bellcrank 
assembly. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the 
lower surface of the spherical bearing in the directional control 
bellcrank assembly to determine if it is properly staked and, depending 
on the findings, applicable corrective actions. For certain 
helicopters, this proposed AD would also require repetitive inspections 
and, depending on the findings, applicable corrective actions. This 
proposed AD would also provide a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD September 7, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     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 NPRM, 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 https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0575; 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; 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-2021-0575; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-00545-R'' 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 
Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; 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-2020-11, dated April 16, 2020 (Transport Canada 
AD CF-2020-11), to correct an unsafe

[[Page 38947]]

condition for Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters, 
serial numbers 57001 through 57210, 57212 through 57344, 57346 through 
57371, 57374 through 57377, and 57380. Transport Canada advises that 
there are reports of incorrectly staked spherical bearings in the 
directional control bellcrank assembly. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in wear or elongation of the bore in the 
bellcrank, which could result in reduced helicopter directional 
control.
    Accordingly, Transport Canada AD CF-2020-11 requires a one-time 
inspection to determine if a spherical bearing is properly staked in 
the directional control bellcrank assembly, and, depending on the 
findings, replacement of the spherical bearing with a new spherical 
bearing, repair of an affected bellcrank assembly and repetitive 
inspections of that repaired bellcrank assembly, or replacement of the 
affected bellcrank assembly with a serviceable part. Transport Canada 
AD CF-2020-11 also provides terminating actions for the requirements of 
the Canadian AD.

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 the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-50, Revision B, 
dated December 19, 2019. This service information specifies procedures 
for an initial inspection of the lower surface of the spherical bearing 
in the directional control bellcrank assembly to determine if it is 
properly staked, additional inspections, and corrective actions. The 
corrective actions include installation of a new spherical bearing, 
repair (including re-identification of the bellcrank assembly part 
number), and replacement of the bellcrank assembly. The additional 
inspections include an inspection of the upper surface of the spherical 
bearing in the directional control bellcrank assembly to determine if 
it is properly staked, an inspection of the bore in the bellcrank 
assembly for excessive wear (including mechanical or corrosion damage 
that exceed 0.001 inch (0.03 millimeter) maximum depth for \1/4\ of the 
circumference, and any cracking); and, for any helicopter with a 
bellcrank assembly that is repaired, repetitive inspections of the 
lower surface of the spherical bearing to determine if it has moved.
    This service information 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 Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-50, dated 
November 27, 2019; and Revision A, dated December 2, 2019. Bell Alert 
Service Bulletin 429-19-50, dated November 27, 2019, specifies 
procedures for an initial inspection of the spherical bearing in the 
directional control bellcrank assembly to determine if it is properly 
staked and replacement of the spherical bearing with a new spherical 
bearing if it is determined that the spherical bearing was not properly 
staked.
    Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-50, Revision A, dated December 
2, 2019, specifies procedures for an initial inspection of the lower 
surface of the spherical bearing in the directional control bellcrank 
assembly to determine if it is properly staked, additional inspections, 
and corrective actions. The corrective actions include installation of 
a new spherical bearing. The additional inspections include an 
inspection of the upper surface of the spherical bearing in the 
directional control bellcrank assembly to determine if it is properly 
staked, and an inspection of the bore in the bellcrank assembly for 
excessive wear.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 120 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the 
following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85         $10,200
                                      = $85 per inspection cycle.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
The agency has no way of determining the number of helicopters that 
might need these actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Action                           Labor cost            Parts cost         Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement Spherical Bearing...........  7 work-hours x $85 per                 $56  $651.
                                           hour = $595.
Repair/replacement Bellcrank............  4 work-hours x $85 per               2,856  3,196.
                                           hour = $340.
Repetitive Inspections..................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               0  85 per inspection cycle.
                                           = $85 per inspection
                                           cycle.
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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 38948]]

    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 (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited): Docket No. FAA-2021-0575; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00545-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by September 7, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate 
previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 
helicopters, certificated in any category, serial numbers 57001 
through 57210 inclusive, 57212 through 57344 inclusive, 57346 
through 57371 inclusive, 57374 through 57377 inclusive, and 57380.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft 
Flight Control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly staked spherical 
bearings in the directional control bellcrank assembly. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address incorrectly staked spherical bearings in 
the directional control bellcrank assembly. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in wear or elongation of the bore in the 
bellcrank, which could result in reduced helicopter directional 
control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Inspection and Corrective Actions

    Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 90 days, whichever 
occurs first after the effective date of this AD: Inspect the lower 
surface of the spherical bearing on the directional control 
bellcrank assembly to determine if it is properly staked, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, step 7., of 
Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-50, Revision B, dated December 
19, 2019 (BASB 429-19-50, Revision B). After the inspection, before 
further flight, do the applicable action required by paragraph 
(g)(1) or (2) of this AD.
    (1) If the lower surface of the spherical bearing is improperly 
staked (any discrepancy is found e.g., the witness marks are not 
present and intact or the staked lip is not uniform along the 
chamfer): Inspect the bore in the bellcrank assembly for excessive 
wear (including mechanical or corrosion damage that exceed 0.001 
inch (0.03 millimeter) maximum depth for \1/4\ of the circumference, 
and any cracking); in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part I, steps 10. through 13., of BASB 429-19-50, 
Revision B, and depending on the findings, do the applicable actions 
required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD before further 
flight.
    (i) If the bore in the bellcrank assembly shows signs of 
excessive wear: Repair the bellcrank, including re-identifying the 
bellcrank assembly part number, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, steps 1. through 13., of BASB 
429-19-50, Revision B.
    (ii) If the bore diameter is within 0.001 inch (0.03 millimeter) 
maximum depth for \1/4\ of the circumference: Install a new 
spherical bearing, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part II, steps 4. through 12., of BASB 429-19-50, 
Revision B.
    (2) If the lower surface of the spherical bearing is properly 
staked: Inspect the upper surface of the spherical bearing on the 
directional control bellcrank assembly to determine if it is 
properly staked, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Part I, steps 8. and 9., of BASB 429-19-50, Revision B, and 
depending on the findings, do the applicable actions required by 
paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD before further flight.
    (i) If the spherical bearing is properly staked: No further 
action is required by this AD.
    (ii) If the spherical bearing is not properly staked (any 
discrepancy is found e.g., the witness marks are not present and 
intact or the staked lip is not uniform along the chamfer): Inspect 
the bore in the bellcrank assembly for excessive wear (including 
mechanical or corrosion damage that exceed 0.001 inch (0.03 
millimeter) maximum depth for \1/4\ of the circumference, and any 
cracking), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 
I, steps 10. through 13., of BASB 429-19-50, Revision B, and 
depending on the findings, do the applicable actions required by 
paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(A) or (B) of this AD before further flight.
    (A) If the bore in the bellcrank assembly shows signs of 
excessive wear: Repair the bellcrank, including re-identifying the 
bellcrank assembly part number, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instruction, Part II, steps 1. through 13., of BASB 
429-19-50, Revision B.
    (B) If the bore diameter is within 0.001 inch (0.03 millimeter) 
maximum depth for \1/4\ of the circumference: Install a new 
spherical bearing, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part II, steps 4. through 12., of BASB 429-19-50, 
Revision B.

(h) Required Post Repair Inspections

    For any helicopter on which the bellcrank has been repaired as 
required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) or (g)(2)(ii)(A) of this AD: Within 
100 hours TIS after the repair, and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect the lower surface of the spherical 
bearing to determine if it has moved, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, step 7., of BASB 429-19-50, 
Revision B. If the spherical bearing has moved (is loose): Before 
further flight, inspect the bore in the bellcrank assembly to 
determine if the diameter exceeds 0.6283 inch (15.9588 millimeters), 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, steps 
8. through 11., of BASB 429-19-50, Revision B.
    (1) If the diameter of the bore in the bellcrank assembly 
exceeds 0.6283 inch (15.9588 millimeters): Before further flight 
replace the bellcrank assembly.
    (2) If the diameter of the bore in the bellcrank assembly does 
not exceed 0.6283 inch (15.9588 millimeters): Before further flight 
install a new spherical bearing in

[[Page 38949]]

accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, steps 4. 
through 12., of BASB 429-19-50, Revision B.

(i) Terminating Action

    Replacement of a bellcrank assembly with a new part (never 
installed on a helicopter or has accumulated zero hours TIS) is 
terminating action for the requirements of this AD for that 
helicopter only.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using the service information identified in 
paragraph (j)(1) or (2) of this AD.
    (1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-50, dated November 27, 
2019.
    (2) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-50, Revision A, dated 
December 2, 2019.

(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)(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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, 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 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 in Transport Canada AD 
CF-2020-11, dated April 16, 2020. You may view the Transport Canada 
AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-
2021-0575.

    Issued on July 15, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15534 Filed 7-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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