Document ID: FAA-2017-0433-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters
Posted Date: 2018-03-08T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9818-9819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04651]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 46 / Thursday, March 8, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 9818]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0433; Product Identifier 2016-SW-078-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 429 helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting each main rotor pitch link rod end 
bearing assembly (bearing) for wear and play. This proposed AD is 
prompted by reports of worn bearings. The actions of this proposed AD 
are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 7, 2018.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0433; 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 proposed AD, the Transport Canada AD, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations (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: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

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 Canadian AD No. CF-2016-39, dated December 12, 2016, to correct 
an unsafe condition for BHTC Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers 
57001 and subsequent. Transport Canada advises of reports of worn 
bearings adversely affecting the helicopters' handling qualities. 
Transport Canada states the scheduled inspection interval of 12 months 
or 800 hours is not sufficient to detect and correct a worn bearing 
under the current wear rate. Additionally, according to Transport 
Canada, the combination of the blade weight, positioning of the 
swashplate, and the preload of elastomers can make bearing play 
difficult to detect during a preflight exterior check. Transport Canada 
determined it necessary to implement an inspection frequent enough to 
detect a worn bearing in order to prevent a bearing from failing, 
adversely affecting handling qualities, and damaging adjacent 
components. These conditions could lead to loss of control of the 
helicopter. Transport Canada AD CF-2016-39 therefore requires 
inspecting bearing part number (P/N) 429-010-433-101/-103 for play and 
potential wear and replacing it if necessary, within 30 days from the 
effective date of its AD and at subsequent intervals not to exceed 50 
hours air time.

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 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described 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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-11-03, 
Revision A, dated January 13, 2015 (ASB), which specifies inspecting 
bearing P/N 429-010-433-101 and P/N 429-010-433-

[[Page 9819]]

103 within 10 flight hours and every 50 hours for play and potential 
wear.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 20 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, visually 
inspecting each bearing for wear and play. This proposed AD also would 
require replacing parts that exceed allowable limits before further 
flight.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

    This proposed AD would require initially inspecting the bearing 
within 20 hours TIS, while the Transport Canada AD requires the initial 
inspection within 30 days.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 64 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Inspecting the bearing would require 2 work-hours and no 
parts for a cost of $170 per helicopter and $10,880 for the U.S. fleet 
per inspection cycle.
     Replacing a -101 bearing would require 1 work-hour and 
$3,560 for parts for a cost of $3,645 per bearing. Replacing a -103 
bearing would require 1 work-hour and $3,365 for parts for a cost of 
$3,450 per bearing.

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 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 Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2017-0433; 
Product Identifier 2016-SW-078-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 
429 helicopters, serial numbers 57001 and larger, with a main rotor 
pitch link rod end bearing assembly (bearing) part number (P/N) 429-
010-433-101 or 429-010-433-103 installed, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a worn bearing. This 
condition could result in failure of a bearing, which could lead to 
reduced helicopter handling, damage to other components, and 
subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 7, 2018.

(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 20 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS:
    (1) Inspect the upper and lower pitch link rod ends for axial 
and radial bearing play by rolling the bearings through all angles, 
paying particular attention to the areas depicted in Figure 1 of 
Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 429-11-03, Revision A, dated 
January 13, 2015.
    (2) If there is any play in a bearing, remove the pitch link 
assembly and perform a dimensional inspection of the axial and 
radial bearing play. Measure the play at the angle that results in 
the maximum amount of play. Replace the rod end assembly before 
further flight if bearing play exceeds 0.010 inch for axial 
direction or 0.005 inch for radial direction.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, 
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD No. 
CF-2016-39, dated December 12, 2016. 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: 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 21, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04651 Filed 3-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P