Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2022 / Proposed Rules 24077 

(3) Lufthansa Technik Design Change 

Summary BCP–35–DCS–01, dated January 5, 

2021. 

(4) Lufthansa Technik Design Change 

Summary BCQ–35–DCS–01, dated January 7, 

2021. 

(5) Lufthansa Technik Design Change 

Summary BCR–35–DCS–01, dated January 7, 

2021. 

(6) Lufthansa Technik Design Change 

Summary BCX–35–DCS–01, dated January 7, 

2021. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, New York ACO 

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 manager of the certification office, 

send it to ATTN: Program Manager, 

Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New 

York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 

Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 

516–228–7300; fax 516–794–5531. 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 the 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA); or Lufthansa Technik AG’s EASA 

Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 

approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 

2021–0135, dated June 2, 2021, for related 

information. This MCAI may be found in the 

AD docket on the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2022–0462. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Chirayu Gupta, Aerospace Engineer, 

Mechanical Systems and Administrative 

Services Section, FAA, New York ACO 

Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516–228– 

7300; fax 516–794–5531; email 9-avs-nyacocos@faa.gov. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Lufthansa Technik AG, Weg 

beim Ja ̈ger 193 22335 Hamburg, Germany; 

telephone 49–40–5070–67428; internet 

https://www.lufthansa-technik.com. You may 

view this service information 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. 

Issued on April 11, 2022. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–08584 Filed 4–21–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–C 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–1074; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00447–R] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron 

Canada Limited Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising a notice 

of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 

applied to certain Bell Textron Canada 

Limited Model 429 helicopters. This 

action revises the NPRM by revising the 

Required Actions paragraphs to include 

calendar compliance times. The FAA is 

proposing this airworthiness directive 

(AD) to address the unsafe condition on 

these products. Since these actions 

would impose an additional burden 

over those in the NPRM, the agency is 

requesting comments on this SNPRM. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this SNPRM by June 6, 2022. 

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 SNPRM, 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 

productsupport@bellflight.com; 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–2021–1074; or in person at Docket 

Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains the 

NPRM, this SNPRM, 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 

andrea.jimenez@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–2021–1074; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–00447–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 again revise 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 proposed 

AD. 

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 SNPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
24078 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this SNPRM, 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 SNPRM. 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 

andrea.jimenez@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. 

Background 

The FAA issued an NPRM to amend 

14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that 

would apply to Bell Textron Canada 

Limited Model 429 helicopters, serial 

numbers (S/N) 57001 and subsequent. 

The NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on December 23, 2021 (86 FR 

72891). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed 

to require visually inspecting the 

external surface of the tail rotor (TR) 

gearbox support assembly, borescope 

inspecting or visually inspecting the 

inside of the tailboom for certain 

conditions, and performing a tactile 

inspection. Depending on the results of 

the inspections, the NPRM proposed to 

require removing certain rivets from 

service or repairing gaps in accordance 

with FAA-approved methods. The 

NPRM also proposed to require 

repeating these inspections within 

certain intervals. 

The NPRM was prompted by 

Transport Canada AD CF–2021–15, 

dated April 14, 2021 (Transport Canada 

AD CF–2021–15), issued by Transport 

Canada, which is the aviation authority 

for Canada, to correct an unsafe 

condition for Bell Textron Canada 

Limited Model 429 helicopters, S/N 

57001 and subsequent. Transport 

Canada advises of multiple in-service 

reports of failed rivets at the joint 

between the tailboom skin and the TR 

gearbox support assembly part number 

(P/N) 429–034–701–101 or P/N 429– 

035–705–101. Transport Canada states 

that in-service reports also revealed a 

quality escape resulted in a gapping 

condition between the tailboom skin 

and the TR gearbox support fitting at 

some locations around the joint, and 

that rivets of inadequate grip length 

have been installed at the affected joint. 

This condition, if not addressed, could 

result in progressive deterioration of the 

joint structural integrity, detachment of 

the TR gearbox support assembly and 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

Accordingly, Transport Canada AD 

CF–2021–15 requires, for certain serialnumbered helicopters, an initial visual 

inspection of the rivets at the TR 

gearbox support assembly for signs of 

failed rivets or inadequate grip length. 

Transport Canada AD CF–2021–15 also 

requires, for all serial-numbered 

helicopters defined in the applicability, 

repeating the initial visual inspection at 

intervals not to exceed 400 hours air 

time or 12 months, whichever occurs 

first. Transport Canada AD CF–2021–15 

also requires repair or replacement of 

affected parts if discrepancies are found. 

Transport Canada considers its AD an 

interim action and stated that further 

AD action may follow. 

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued 

Since the NPRM was issued, the FAA 

determined that due to thermal cycling 

the compliance times in the NPRM 

should be revised to include calendar 

compliance times. According to Bell, 

thermal cycling is independent of flight 

hours (FH) and can occur when an 

aircraft is stationary and is also a 

significant contributor to the unsafe 

condition. Accordingly, the FAA has 

determined the proposed paragraph (g) 

of the proposed AD must be revised by 

including calendar compliance times. 

Also, since the NPRM was issued, the 

FAA determined the proposed 

paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of the proposed AD 

must be revised by deleting the word 

‘‘not’’ when referring to whether or not 

a rivet comes out when pulled with 

pliers or when pulled by hand. This 

wording was a minor editorial error and 

the correct wording should only state 

‘‘does.’’ 

Comments 

The following discussion presents the 

comments received on the NPRM and 

the FAA’s response. 

Request To Revise the Required Actions 

Paragraphs of the Proposed AD 

Bell requested that the FAA revise the 

Required Actions paragraphs of the 

proposed NPRM dealing with the 

compliance time intervals by including 

the calendar compliance time. The 

commenter explained the reasoning for 

calendar intervals is based on thermal 

cycling, which could be a contributing 

factor to the rivets failing. The 

commenter further stated thermal 

cycling can occur when the aircraft is 

stationary. 

The FAA agrees and has revised the 

Required Actions paragraphs in this 

proposed AD to include calendar 

compliance times, which correspond to 

the compliance times specified in 

Transport Canada AD CF–2021–15. 

Since the calendar time is a component 

of the unsafe condition, the FAA has 

determined there should be no 

differences between this proposed AD 

and the Transport Canada AD in regards 

to the calendar compliance time. The 

FAA also revised the Differences 

Between this SNPRM and Transport 

Canada AD CF–2021–15 paragraph in 

this proposed AD by deleting the 

paragraphs associated with the calendar 

interval differences. 

Bell requested that the FAA revise the 

Required Actions paragraphs of the 

proposed AD by including instructions 

to replace any rivet that is removed from 

service. The commenter stated missing 

or defective rivets without a gapping 

condition should be replaced in 

accordance with a Bell structural repair 

manual; and missing or defective rivets 

with excessive gapping should be 

repaired by contacting Bell for an 

approved repair method for the gapping 

condition and replacement of the rivets. 

The FAA disagrees. For the excessive 

gapping condition, paragraph (g)(1)(i)(B) 

of this proposed AD requires operators 

to repair the gaps in accordance with an 

FAA-approved method. The FAA does 

not require operators to contact Bell for 

approved repair methods. Where the 

commenter refers to replacing rivets for 

certain conditions, paragraphs 

(g)(1)(i)(A), (g)(1)(i)(B), (g)(1)(ii)(B), and 

(g)(1)(iii) of this proposed AD only 

require that operators remove the rivets 

from service. This proposed AD does 

mandate the method that operators must 

use to replace removed rivets. To 

replace rivets, operators are expected to 

use FAA-accepted methods, such as a 

Bell structural repair manual. 

Bell requested that the FAA revise the 

Required Actions paragraph of the 

proposed NPRM by deleting ‘‘not’’ in 

paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of the proposed AD 

and only keeping ‘‘does.’’ The 

commenter stated that this inspection is 

to ensure that the rivets heads are not 

fractured, and if the rivet does come out 

when pulled with pliers or when pulled 

by hand, then the rivet should be 

removed from service. 

The FAA agrees and has revised 

paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this proposed AD 

by deleting ‘‘does not’’ and replacing it 

with ‘‘does.’’ The FAA intended to 

correspond with the actions specified 

Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 429– 

19–47, Revision B, dated January 27, 

2021 (ASB 429–19–47 Rev B), and 

misinterpreted the discrepant condition 

for the tactile inspection. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2022 / Proposed Rules 24079 

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 determining the 

unsafe condition described previously is 

likely to exist or develop in other 

helicopters of the same type design. 

Certain changes described above expand 

the scope of the NPRM. As a result, it 

is necessary to reopen the comment 

period to provide additional 

opportunity for the public to comment 

on this SNPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed ASB 429–19–47 

Rev B. This service information 

specifies procedures for an initial and 

repetitive general visual inspections and 

detailed inspections of the affected 

rivets at the joint between the tailboom 

skin and the TR gearbox support 

assembly. This service information also 

specifies procedures for replacing the 

affected rivets and repairing the gaps in 

accordance with an approved Bell 

structural repair scheme. 

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 ASB 

429–19–47, dated August 28, 2019 (ASB 

429–19–47), and Bell ASB 429–19–47, 

Revision A, dated November 2, 2020 

(ASB 429–19–47 Rev A). ASB 429–19– 

47 specifies the same general visual 

inspection as ASB 429–19–47 Rev A 

however, ASB 429–19–47 Rev A 

introduces a repetitive inspection and 

specifies corrective actions if any 

discrepant rivets are found. ASB 429– 

19–47 Rev A specifies the same 

procedures for the initial and repetitive 

general visual inspections and detailed 

inspections as ASB 429–19–47 Rev B 

however, ASB 429–19–47 Rev B revises 

the compliance section, description 

section, and materials section, and also 

the accomplishment instructions. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

SNPRM 

For Model 429 helicopters with S/N 

57002 through 57210 inclusive and S/N 

57212 and subsequent that, as of the 

effective date of this proposed AD, have 

accumulated less than 300 total hours 

time-in-service (TIS), within 100 hours 

TIS or 6 months after accumulating 300 

total hours TIS, whichever occurs first; 

or for Model 429 helicopters with S/N 

57002 through 57210 inclusive and S/N 

57212 and subsequent that, as of the 

effective date of this proposed AD, have 

replaced certain part-numbered TR 

gearbox support assemblies and the 

helicopter has accumulated less than 

300 total hours TIS since the 

replacement of the TR gearbox support 

assembly, within 100 hours TIS or 6 

months after accumulating 300 total 

hours TIS since the replacement, 

whichever occurs first, this proposed 

AD would require visually inspecting 

the external surface of the TR gearbox 

support assembly for any rivet heads 

that have separated from their tail, 

measuring any gaps, and before further 

flight, removing affected rivets from 

service or repairing gaps in accordance 

with FAA-approved methods. 

This proposed AD would also require 

either borescope inspecting or using a 

light source and mirror to visually 

inspect each rivet inside the tailboom 

for missing rivet tails, rivet tails not 

resting against the tailboom skin, and 

any rivet tails resting at the bottom of 

the tailboom. Depending on the 

inspection results, this proposed AD 

would require, before further flight, 

additional inspections or removing 

certain parts from service. This 

proposed AD would require performing 

a tactile inspection of certain rivets 

identified in the applicable service 

information and depending on the 

inspection results, removing rivets from 

service before further flight. 

For Model 429 helicopters with S/N 

57002 through 57210 inclusive and S/N 

57212 and subsequent that are not 

identified in paragraph (g)(1) of this 

proposed AD, this proposed AD would 

require, within 100 hours TIS or 6 

months after the effective date of this 

proposed AD, whichever occurs first, 

performing the visual inspection of the 

TR gearbox support assembly, visually 

inspecting or borescope inspecting each 

rivet inside the tailboom, performing the 

tactile inspection, and accomplishing 

the applicable corrective actions 

described previously. 

For Model 429 helicopters S/N 57002 

through 57210 inclusive and S/N 57212 

and subsequent, this proposed AD 

would require, within 400 hours TIS or 

12 months, whichever occurs first after 

the initial inspections required by this 

proposed AD, as applicable to your 

helicopter, and thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 400 hours TIS or 12 

months, whichever occurs first, 

performing the visual inspection of the 

TR gearbox support assembly, visually 

inspecting or borescope inspecting each 

rivet inside the tailboom, performing the 

tactile inspection, and accomplishing 

the applicable corrective actions 

described previously. 

For Model 429 helicopters S/N 57001 

and 57211, this proposed AD would 

require, within 400 hours TIS or 12 

months after the effective date of this 

proposed AD, whichever occurs first, 

and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 

400 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever 

occurs first, performing the visual 

inspection of the TR gearbox support 

assembly, visually inspecting or 

borescope inspecting each rivet inside 

the tailboom, performing the tactile 

inspection, and accomplishing the 

applicable corrective actions described 

previously. 

Differences Between This SNPRM and 

Transport Canada AD CF–2021–15 

Transport Canada AD CF–2021–15 

requires replacing any rivets, and 

repairing any gaps that exceed 0.005 in 

(0.127 mm), in accordance with an 

approved Bell structural repair scheme, 

and submitting certain information to 

the manufacturer, whereas this 

proposed AD would require removing 

the rivets from service and repairing the 

gaps using an FAA-approved method 

instead. Transport Canada AD CF– 

2021–15 requires replacing any rivets if 

any gaps are 0.005 in (0.127mm) or less, 

whereas this proposed AD would 

require removing the rivets from service. 

Interim Action 

The FAA considers this proposed AD 

would be an interim action. Once final 

action has been identified, the FAA 

might consider further rulemaking. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 120 

helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates 

are estimated at $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these numbers, the FAA 

estimates the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD. 

Visually inspecting the surface of the 

TR gearbox support assembly would 

take about 0.5 work-hour for an 

estimated cost of $43 per inspection and 

$5,160 for the U.S. fleet per inspection. 

If required, replacing any affected 

rivets would take about 1 work-hour 

and parts would cost about $110 per 

rivet for an estimated cost of $195 per 

rivet replacement. 

If required, measuring gaps would 

take about 0.5 work-hour for an 

estimated cost of $43 per helicopter. 

If required, repairing any gaps would 

take up to about 1 work-hour for an 

estimated cost of up to $85 per repair. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
24080 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2022 / Proposed Rules 

Visually inspecting or borescope 

inspecting the inside of the tailboom 

would take about 0.5 work-hour for an 

estimated cost of $43 per inspection and 

$5,160 for the U.S. fleet per inspection. 

Performing a tactile inspection would 

take about 0.5 work-hour for an 

estimated cost of $43 per inspection and 

$5,160 for the U.S. fleet per inspection. 

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 

■ 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 Canada Limited: Docket No. 

FAA–2021–1074; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–00447–R. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) action by June 6, 

2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada 

Limited Model 429 helicopters, serial 

numbers (S/N) 57001 and subsequent, 

certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 5302, Rotorcraft tail boom. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of failed 

rivets between the tailboom skin and the tail 

rotor (TR) gearbox support assembly. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to detect failed rivets 

and rivets with inadequate grip length. The 

unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 

result in deterioration of the joint structural 

integrity, detachment of the TR gearbox 

support assembly, and loss of helicopter 

control. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) As of the effective date of this AD, for 

Model 429 helicopters S/N 57002 through 

57210 inclusive and S/N 57212 and 

subsequent that have accumulated less than 

300 total hours time-in-service (TIS), within 

100 hours TIS or 6 months after 

accumulating 300 total hours TIS, whichever 

occurs first; or for Model 429 helicopters S/ 

N 57002 through 57210 inclusive and S/N 

57212 and subsequent that have replaced the 

TR gearbox support assembly part number 

(P/N) 429–034–701–101 or P/N 429–035– 

705–101 and the helicopter has accumulated 

less than 300 total hours TIS since the 

replacement of the TR gearbox support 

assembly, within 100 hours TIS or 6 months 

after accumulating 300 total hours TIS since 

the replacement, whichever occurs first: 

(i) Visually inspect the external surface of 

the TR gearbox support assembly for any 

rivet heads that have separated from their 

tail. If there are any rivet heads that have 

separated from their tail, before further flight, 

measure any gaps between the TR gearbox 

support assembly and the tailboom skin by 

following the Accomplishment Instructions, 

Part I, paragraphs 9.b. through 9.d. of Bell 

Alert Service Bulletin 429–19–47, Revision 

B, dated January 27, 2021 (ASB 429–19–47 

Rev B). 

(A) If there are no gaps or if any gap 

measures less than 0.005 in (0.127 mm), 

before further flight, remove the rivets from 

service. 

(B) If there are any gaps that are equal to 

or exceed 0.005 in (0.127 mm), before further 

flight, repair the gaps in accordance with an 

FAA-approved method, and remove the 

rivets from service. 

(ii) Borescope inspect or use a light source 

and mirror to visually inspect each rivet 

inside the tailboom for any missing rivet 

tails, any rivet tails resting at the bottom of 

the tailboom, and any rivet tails not resting 

against the tailboom skin. 

(A) If there are any missing rivet tails, or 

any rivet tails resting at the bottom of the 

tailboom, before further flight, measure any 

gaps between the TR gearbox support 

assembly and the tailboom skin by following 

the Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, 

paragraphs 9.b. through 9.d. of ASB 429–19– 

47 Rev B, and perform the corrective actions 

specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(A) or (B) of 

this AD as applicable. 

(B) If there are any rivet tails not resting 

against the tailboom skin, before further 

flight, remove the rivets from service. 

(iii) Perform a tactile inspection of the 

rivets identified in Figure 1 of ASB 429–19– 

47 Rev B, by pulling on each rivet tail with 

pliers or pulling by hand. If any rivet does 

come out when pulled with pliers or when 

pulled by hand, before further flight, remove 

the rivet from service. 

(2) For Model 429 helicopters S/N 57002 

through 57210 inclusive and S/N 57212 and 

subsequent that are not identified in 

paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, within 100 hours 

TIS or 6 months after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs first, perform the 

actions as specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) 

through (iii) of this AD. 

(3) For Model 429 helicopters S/N 57002 

through 57210 inclusive and S/N 57212 and 

subsequent, within 400 hours TIS or 12 

months, whichever occurs first after the 

initial inspections required by paragraph 

(g)(1) or (2) of this AD, as applicable to your 

helicopter, and thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 400 hours TIS or 12 months, 

whichever occurs first, accomplish the 

actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) 

through (iii) of this AD. 

(4) For Model 429 helicopters S/N 57001 

and 57211, within 400 hours TIS or 12 

months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs first, and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 400 hours TIS or 12 

months, whichever occurs first, accomplish 

the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) 

through (iii) of this AD. 

(h) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) 

of this AD, if those actions were performed 

before the effective date of this AD using Bell 

Alert Service Bulletin 429–19–47, Revision 

A, dated November 2, 2020; or Bell Alert 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2022 / Proposed Rules 24081 

Service Bulletin 429–19–47, dated August 28, 

2019. 

(i) 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 (j)(1) of this AD. 

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

(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. 

(j) 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 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. 

(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 productsupport@

bellflight.com; 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. 

(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

Transport Canada AD CF–2021–15, dated 

April 14, 2021. You may view the Transport 

Canada AD on the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA– 

2021–1074. 

Issued on April 15, 2022. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–08561 Filed 4–21–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0468; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–01243–T] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

2018–13–08 which applies to certain 

Airbus SAS Model A318 series 

airplanes; Model A319–111, –112, –113, 

–114, –115, –131, –132, and –133 

airplanes; Model A320–211, –212, –214, 

–216, –231, –232, and –233 airplanes; 

and Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211, 

–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes. 

AD 2018–13–08 requires repetitive 

inspections for cracking of the radius of 

the front spar vertical stringers and the 

horizontal floor beam on frame (FR) 36, 

repetitive inspections for cracking of the 

fastener holes of the front spar vertical 

stringers on FR 36, and repair if 

necessary, and, for certain airplanes, a 

potential terminating action 

modification of the center wing box 

area. Since the FAA issued AD 2018– 

13–08, Airbus has determined that 

additional airplanes are subject to the 

unsafe condition. This proposed AD 

would revise the applicability by adding 

airplanes and retain the requirements of 

AD 2018–13–08, as specified in a 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD, which is proposed for 

incorporation by reference. The FAA is 

proposing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by June 6, 2022. 

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: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

For material that will be incorporated 

by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find this IBR material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

You may view this IBR 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. 

It is also available in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2022– 

0468. 

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–2022– 

0468; 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, 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: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

Large Aircraft Section, International 

Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

phone 206–231–3229; email 

vladimir.ulyanov@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–2022–0468; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2021–01243–T’’ 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 the 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:// 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1