Document ID: FAA-2016-6551-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bell Helicopter Textron Helicopters
Posted Date: 2016-05-10T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28766-28768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10860]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6551; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-070-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 430 helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require establishing a life limit for a certain main 
rotor hub attachment bolt (bolt) and removing from service each bolt 
that has met or exceeded its life limit. This proposed AD is prompted 
by a documentation error that omitted the life limit of a certain part-
numbered bolt from the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
maintenance manual. The proposed actions are intended to establish a 
life limit for a certain part-numbered bolt to prevent failure of a 
bolt, failure of a main rotor hub, and subsequent loss of control of a 
helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 11, 2016.

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

[[Page 28767]]

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6551; 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 rule, contact 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax 
(450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may 
review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
matthew.fuller@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 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

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued AD No. CF-2013-26, dated September 24, 2013, to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain serial-numbered Bell Model 430 
helicopters. Transport Canada advises that bolt part number (P/N) 
MS21250-08083, which replaced bolt P/N 20-065-08083 in 2009, has a 
retirement life of 5,000 hours. However, the retirement life for the 
replacement bolt was inadvertently omitted from the limitations section 
of the Bell 430 maintenance manual. Transport Canada advises that this 
situation, if not corrected, could result in failure of a bolt and loss 
of control of the helicopter. Transport Canada AD No. CF-2013-26 
requires reviewing the helicopter records to determine if bolt P/N 
MS21250-08083 is installed, creating a historical service record, and 
establishing an airworthiness life of 5,000 hours air time.

FAA's Determination

    This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 430-12-47, dated 
November 14, 2012 (ASB). The ASB states that original bolt P/N 20-065-
08083 has a retirement life of 5,000 hours but has been replaced by 
standard bolt P/N MS21250-08083, which does not have a life limit 
listed in the maintenance manual. The purpose of the ASB is to 
establish a life limit of 5,000 hours for the replacement bolt. Bell 
specifies reviewing the aircraft records back to January 2009 to 
determine which part-numbered bolts are installed. If a replacement 
bolt P/N MS21250-08083 is installed, the ASB specifies using data from 
aircraft records to create a historical service record for the 
replacement bolts and reflecting the 5,000 hours life limit. The ASB 
also specifies updating the Bell 430 maintenance manual.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require within 10 hours time-in-service 
(TIS), revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable 
maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by 
establishing a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for each bolt P/N MS21250-
08083. This proposed AD would also require determining the number of 
hours TIS for each bolt and using the helicopter's hours if the hours 
TIS of a bolt is unknown. This proposed AD would also require removing 
from service each bolt that has reached or exceeded its life limit.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    The proposed AD would require compliance within 10 hours TIS, while 
the Transport Canada AD requires compliance within 60 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 43 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 
work-hour, we estimate reviewing and revising the records would require 
1 work-hour for a cost of about $85 per helicopter and $3,655 for the 
U.S. fleet. We estimate replacing a bolt that has exceeded its life 
limit would require 0.5 work-hour plus $290 for a replacement bolt, for 
a total cost of $333 per bolt.

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 regulation is within 
the scope of that authority

[[Page 28768]]

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.

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 (AD):

Bell Helicopter Textron: Docket No. FAA-2016-6551; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-SW-070-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model 430 helicopters, serial number 49001 
through 49129, with a main rotor head attachment bolt (bolt) part 
number MS21250-08083 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a bolt remaining in 
service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could result in 
failure of a bolt, failure of the main rotor hub and subsequent loss 
of control of a helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 11, 2016.

(d) 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.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (1) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
applicable maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for 
each bolt P/N MS21250-08083.
    (2) Determine the number of hours TIS for each bolt and update 
the helicopter's historical records. If the hours TIS is unknown, 
calculate the number of hours TIS by counting the helicopter's hours 
TIS beginning January 1, 2009.
    (3) Remove from service each bolt that has reached or exceeded 
its life limit.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 430-12-47, dated 
November 14, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this proposed rule. For 
service information identified in this proposed rule, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 
433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review 
the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
No. CF-2013-26, dated September 24, 2013. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD 
Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor 
Head.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 27, 2016.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10860 Filed 5-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P