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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 29, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38686-38689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13796]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0802; Project Identifier AD-2021-01094-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. Helicopters and 
Various Restricted Category 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 Inc. Model 204B, 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters 
and various restricted category helicopters. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report of cracked main rotor blades (MRBs). This proposed 
AD would require repetitive inspections of each MRB and removing any 
cracked MRB from service. 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 August 15, 
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 above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Bell 
Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX, 76101, United States; 
phone: (800) 363-8023; website: https://www.bellflight.com/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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0802; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, 
Delegation Oversight Section, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 
(817) 222-5190; 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-2022-0802; Project Identifier 
AD-2021-01094-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 Hye 
Yoon Jang, Aerospace Engineer, Delegation

[[Page 38687]]

Oversight Section, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5190; 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

    The FAA proposes to adopt a new AD for certain Bell Textron Inc., 
Model 204B, 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters and the following restricted 
category helicopters:
     Model HH-1K helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Rotorcraft Development Corporation;
     Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model 
SW205A-1 helicopters;
     Model TH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Robinson Air Crane Inc.; Rotorcraft 
Development Corporation; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
     Model TH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft 
Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation;
     Model UH-1A helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.;
     Model UH-1B helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, International Helicopters, Inc.; 
Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Red Tail Flying Services, LLC; 
Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; 
Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc. (helicopters with an 
SW204 or SW204HP designation are Southwest Florida Aviation 
International, Inc., Model UH-1B helicopters); and WSH, LLC (type 
certificate previously held by San Joaquin Helicopters);
     Model UH-1E helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft 
Support, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Smith Helicopters; 
and West Coast Fabrications;
     Model UH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, AST, Inc.; California Department of 
Forestry; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; 
and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
     Model UH-1H helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Arrow Falcon Exporters Inc.; Global 
Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC; JJASPP 
Engineering Services, LLC; Northwest Rotorcraft, LLC; Overseas Aircraft 
Support, Inc.; Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development 
Corporation; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc. 
(helicopters with an SW205 designation are Southwest Florida Aviation 
International, Inc., Model UH-1H helicopters); and Tamarack 
Helicopters, Inc.;
     Model UH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas Aircraft 
Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and
     Model UH-1P helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; and 
Rotorcraft Development Corporation.
    The FAA received reports of chordwise cracks in MRB part number (P/
N) 204-011-250-113. The cracks originated from the extreme trailing 
edge between blade station 190 and 210; this area is currently not 
inspected during routine maintenance. This condition, if not addressed, 
could result in failure of an MRB and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed the following Bell Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), 
each Revision A and dated October 12, 2018, and for helicopters with 
MRB P/N 204-011-250-001, -005, -009, -113, or -117:
     Bell ASB 204-96-49 for Model 204B helicopters, serial 
numbers (S/N) 2001 through 2070 and 2196 through 2199 and
     Bell ASB 205-96-67 for Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, 
S/N 30001 through 30332.
    The FAA also reviewed Bell ASB UH-1H-18-20, dated October 23, 2018, 
for all Model UH-IH helicopters with MRB P/N 204-011-250-113 installed.
    These service bulletins specify procedures for daily wipe down 
inspections and 25-hour inspections of the MRBs for cracks.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require, before the first flight of each 
day, cleaning certain areas of the upper and lower skin surfaces of 
each MRB with a cheesecloth. If the cheesecloth is snagged or frayed 
while cleaning an MRB, removing paint from the area that caused the 
snagging and then either visually or eddy current inspecting the area 
for a crack would be required. This proposed AD would also require, at 
intervals not to exceed 25 hours time-in-service, wiping each MRB with 
isopropyl alcohol and immediately after the blade dries, inspecting the 
area for a dark line, which is an indication that excess alcohol is 
bleeding out of a crack or edge void. If there is a dark line, removing 
paint from the area where there is a dark line and inspecting for a 
crack in the skin would be required. Finally, this proposed AD would 
require removing from service any cracked MRB.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 682 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.
    Each MRB inspection would take about .5 work-hour and parts would 
cost $50 for an estimated cost of $93 per helicopter and $63,426 for 
the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle.
    Replacing an MRB, if required, would take about 10 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $157,815 per blade for an estimated cost of 
$158,665 per MRB 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

[[Page 38688]]

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 above, 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 Inc., and Various Restricted Category Helicopters: 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0802; Project Identifier AD-2021-01094-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by August 15, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following helicopters with main rotor 
blade (MRB) part number 204-011-250-001, -005, -009, -113, or -117 
installed:
    (1) Bell Textron Inc. Model 204B helicopters, serial numbers (S/
N) 2001 through 2070 and 2196 through 2199, inclusive, certificated 
in any category;
    (2) Bell Textron Inc. Model 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters, S/N 
30001 through 30332, inclusive, certificated in any category; and
    (3) Various restricted category helicopters:
    (i) Model HH-1K helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Rotorcraft Development Corporation;
    (ii) Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., Model 
SW205A-1 helicopters;
    (iii) Model TH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Robinson Air Crane Inc.; Rotorcraft 
Development Corporation; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
    (iv) Model TH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas 
Aircraft Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation;
    (v) Model UH-1A helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.;
    (vi) Model UH-1B helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, International Helicopters, Inc.; 
Overseas Aircraft Support, Inc.; Red Tail Flying Services, LLC; 
Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; 
Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc.; and WSH, LLC (type 
certificate previously held by San Joaquin Helicopters);
    Note 1 to paragraph (c)(3)(vi): Helicopters with an SW204 or 
SW204HP designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, 
Inc., Model UH-1B helicopters.
    (vii) Model UH-1E helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas 
Aircraft Support, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development Corporation; Smith 
Helicopters; and West Coast Fabrications;
    (viii) Model UH-1F helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, AST, Inc.; California Department of 
Forestry; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; Rotorcraft Development 
Corporation; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
    (ix) Model UH-1H helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc.; 
Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC; 
JJASPP Engineering Services LLC; Northwest Rotorcraft, LLC; Overseas 
Aircraft Support, Inc.; Richards Heavylift Helo, Inc.; Rotorcraft 
Development Corporation; Southwest Florida Aviation International, 
Inc.; and Tamarack Helicopters, Inc.;
    Note 2 to paragraph (c)(3)(ix): Helicopters with an SW205 
designation are Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc., 
Model UH-1H helicopters.
    (x) Model UH-1L helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Bell Textron Inc.; Overseas 
Aircraft Support, Inc.; and Rotorcraft Development Corporation; and
    (xi) Model UH-1P helicopters; current type certificate holders 
include, but are not limited to, Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; and 
Rotorcraft Development Corporation.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6210, Main rotor 
blades.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks on the MRBs outside 
of the current inspection area. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent a failure of an MRB. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in loss of an MRB and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(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, before the first flight 
of each day:
    (i) Using cheesecloth, clean the upper and lower skin surfaces 
of each MRB in the area between blade stations 100 through 215, 
noting any unsmooth areas and paying attention to the trailing edge 
and any MRB surface which snag the cheesecloth or cause it to fray, 
as this may by an indication of a crack or paint chip that could 
lead to corrosion.
    (ii) If there is any unsmooth area or the cheesecloth used to 
clean the MRB is snagged or frayed, remove paint from the area that 
is unsmooth or caused the snagging or fraying (affected area) by 
hand sanding in a spanwise direction with an abrasive cloth or 
sandpaper 220 or smoother grit and either:
    (A) Visually inspect the affected area for any crack using a 10X 
or higher power magnifying glass with a flashlight applied at an 
oblique angle and perpendicular to the crack orientation; or
    (B) Eddy current inspect the affected area for any crack using a 
surface probe.
    (iii) If there is any crack, before further flight, remove the 
MRB from service.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours time-in-service, prepare the upper and lower skin 
surfaces of each MRB for inspection by wiping the last 4 inches of 
the trailing edge between blade station 100 and 215 with an 
isopropyl alcohol-soaked cloth and then drying the area with a clean 
cloth. Immediately after drying the area, using a flashlight at an 
oblique angle, inspect the surface for a dark line, as this is an 
indication that excess isopropyl alcohol is bleeding out of a crack 
or edge void. If there is a dark line, remove paint from the area 
where there is a dark line by hand sanding in a spanwise direction 
with an abrasive cloth or sandpaper 220 or smoother grit and inspect 
for a crack in the skin. If there is any crack, before further 
flight, remove the MRB from service.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO 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 
certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (i) 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.

[[Page 38689]]

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, 
Aerospace Engineer, Delegation Oversight Section, DSCO Branch, 
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5190; email 
[email protected].

    Issued on June 23, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13796 Filed 6-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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