Document ID: FAA-2013-0697-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Helicopters
Posted Date: 2013-08-12T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 155 (Monday, August 12, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48822-48824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19431]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0697; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-009-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) for Bell Model 214B, 214B-1, and 214ST helicopters with certain 
tail rotor hanger bearings (bearing) installed. The existing AD 
currently requires inspecting the bearing to determine whether an 
incorrectly manufactured seal material is installed on the bearing. 
Since we issued that AD, we have determined that replacing the 
defective bearing is a required terminating action. This proposed AD 
would retain the repetitive inspection of the bearings and would also 
require replacing the defective bearings. The proposed actions are 
intended to prevent loss of bearing grease, failure of the bearing, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 11, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 
telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review service information at the 
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Blyn, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5762; email 
7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or

[[Page 48823]]

federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in 
this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion 
of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    On May 17, 2013, we issued AD 2013-11-05, amendment 39-17465 (78 FR 
33204, dated June 4, 2013) for Bell Model 214B, 214B-1, and 214ST 
helicopters with certain part-numbered bearings installed. AD 2013-11-
05 requires inspecting the bearings to determine whether an incorrectly 
manufactured seal material is installed on the bearing, and if it is 
installed, inspecting the bearing every 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
for any leaking grease or damage. If the bearing is leaking or has any 
damage, AD 2013-11-05 requires replacing the bearing. AD 2013-11-05 was 
prompted by a report that all part number 214-040-606-005 and 214-040-
606-101 bearings delivered between May 2011 and June 2012 were 
manufactured with incorrect seal material. This incorrect seal material 
does not meet Bell's operating and environmental temperature 
specifications and under extreme heat could result in seal failure and 
grease loss from the bearing. The incorrect seal material is black in 
color; the correctly manufactured bearings have a red/orange to brown 
colored seal. Those actions are intended to prevent loss of bearing 
grease, failure of the bearing, and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-11-05, we have determined that replacing 
the bearings within 500 hours TIS will provide an acceptable level of 
safety and should be a required terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by AD 2013-11-05. These actions are intended to 
provide a terminating action for AD 2013-11-05.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same type 
designs.

Related Service Information

    Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 214-13-74, Revision A, 
dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters serial 
number (S/N) 28001 through 28070, and ASB 214ST-13-90, Revision A, 
dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214ST helicopters. Both ASBs describe 
procedures to determine whether any bearing with incorrect seal 
material is installed on the helicopter and for inspecting any 
installed bearing with incorrect seal material every 10 hours time-in-
service (TIS). Both ASBs also specify replacing any bearing with 
incorrect seal material that is leaking grease or damaged. Finally, the 
ASBs specify replacing any bearing with incorrect seal material within 
500 hours TIS or by December 31, 2013.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain the repetitive inspection 
requirements of AD 2013-11-05. This proposed AD would also require 
replacing any bearing that has black seal material with a bearing that 
has correct seal material within 500 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever 
occurs earlier, as a terminating action.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The Bell ASBs allow 25 hours TIS for the initial inspection, while 
this proposed AD would require inspecting within 10 hours TIS. The ASBs 
specify replacing any bearing with black seal material within 500 hours 
TIS or by December 31, 2013. This proposed AD would require replacement 
within 500 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs earlier.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 26 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in 
order to comply with this AD. At an average labor cost of $85 per hour, 
inspecting the bearings would require about 2.5 work hours, for a cost 
per helicopter of $213 and a cost of $5,538 for the fleet. Replacing a 
defective bearing would require about 3 work hours, and required parts 
would cost $1,372, for a cost per helicopter of $1,627.
    According to Bell's service information some of the costs of this 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by Bell. 
Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This proposed regulation is 
within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe 
condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in 
this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

[[Page 48824]]

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 removing Amendment 39-17465 (78 FR 
33204, dated June 4, 2013) and adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell): Docket No. FAA-2013-0697; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-009-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Model 214B helicopters, serial number 
(S/N) 28001 through 28070, Model 214B-1 helicopters, S/N 28001 
through 28070, and Model 214ST helicopters, S/N 28101 through 28200, 
with a tail rotor hanger bearing (bearing), part number (P/N) 214-
040-606-005 or 214-040-606-101 installed, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a bearing with incorrect 
seal material, which could fail under extreme temperature or 
environmental conditions, resulting in loss of tail rotor control 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

 (c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2013-11-05, Amendment 39-17465 (78 FR 
33204, dated June 4, 2013).

(d) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 11, 2013.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 10 hours time in service (TIS):
    (i) Inspect each bearing to determine whether the seal material 
is correct, as described in the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 1- 
Inspection, paragraphs 1.a. through 2. and Figure 1 of Bell Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) 214-13-74, Revision A, dated March 25, 2013, 
for Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters and ASB 214ST-13-90, Revision 
A, dated March 25, 2013, for Model 214ST helicopters.
    (ii) For each bearing with black seal material, before further 
flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, 
inspect the bearing for leakage, slung grease, or damage. If there 
is any leakage, slung grease, or damage, before further flight, 
replace the bearing with an airworthy bearing with red/orange to 
brown color seal material.
    (2) Within 500 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs earlier, 
replace any bearing with black seal material with an airworthy 
bearing with red/orange to brown color seal material.
    (3) Do not install bearing P/N 214-040-606-005 or 214-040-606-
101 with black seal material on any helicopter.

(g) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: James Blyn, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 
76137; telephone (817) 222-5762; email 7-AVS-ASW-170@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(j) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6500: Tail Rotor 
Drive Bearing.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 2, 2013.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2013-19431 Filed 8-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P