Document ID: FAA-2011-0449-0005
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters
Posted Date: 2021-03-09T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 9, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13505-13506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04508]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0449; Project Identifier AD-2020-01464-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would 
have applied to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 206A, 
206B, and 206B3 helicopters. The NPRM was prompted by the need for 
corresponding operating limitations prohibiting flight, including 
hover, with the litter doorpost removed when certain litter kits are 
installed. The NPRM would have required revising the Operating 
Limitations, Section 1, of the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) 
for your helicopter to add an operating limitation when a litter kit is 
installed to prohibit flight with the doorpost removed to prevent loss 
of structural integrity of the fuselage. Since issuance of the NPRM, 
the FAA has determined that an unsafe condition no longer exists. 
Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: The FAA is withdrawing the proposed rule published May 13, 2011 
(76 FR 27958), as of March 9, 2021.

ADDRESSES: 

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-2011-
0449; 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 AD action, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone (817) 222-5110; email kristin.bradley@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA has issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2011 (76 FR 27958). The 
NPRM was prompted by the need for corresponding operating limitations 
prohibiting flight, including hover, with the litter doorpost removed 
when certain litter kits are installed.
    The NPRM proposed to require revising the existing RFM for your 
helicopter by inserting into the Operating Limitations, Section 1, of 
the existing RFM for your helicopter the following statement: ``Flight, 
including hover, with litter doorpost removed is prohibited.'' This 
revision would have been made by pen and ink changes, inserting a copy 
of this AD into the existing RFM for your helicopter, or inserting a 
copy of the RFM Supplement (RFMS) dealing with Litter Kits into the 
existing RFM for your helicopter as follows: For Model 206A 
helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206A-FMS-8, dated December 30, 2009, 
into RFM BHT-206A-FM-1, dated July 2, 2009; for Model 206B 
helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206B-FMS-8, dated December 30, 2009, 
into RFM BHT-206B-FM-1, dated July 2, 2009; and for Model 206B3 
helicopters--inserting RFMS BHT-206B3-FMS-2, dated December 30, 2009, 
into RFM BHT-206B3-FM-1, dated March 24, 2010. The proposed actions 
were intended to add an operating limitation when a litter kit is 
installed to prohibit flight with the doorpost removed to prevent loss 
of structural integrity of the fuselage.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since issuance of the NPRM, reevaluation of current fleet safety 
data indicates that there is not an unsafe condition and AD action is 
no longer necessary. There are no recent records of safety issues 
related to the unsafe condition previously described. Therefore, the 
FAA has determined that AD action is not required. Withdrawal of the 
NPRM constitutes only such action and does not preclude the agency from 
issuing future rulemaking on this issue, nor does it commit the agency 
to any course of action in the future.
    The FAA's Aircraft Certification Service has also changed its 
organizational structure. The new structure replaces product 
directorates with functional divisions. We have revised some of the 
office titles and nomenclature throughout this proposed AD to reflect 
the new organizational changes. Additional information about the new 
structure can be found in the Notice published on July 25, 2017 (82 FR 
34564).
    Lastly, the identification of ``Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-021-
AD'' has been changed to ``Project Identifier AD 2020-01464-R.''

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to comment on the NPRM. The 
FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the 
cost to the public.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM is 
unnecessary. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

Regulatory Findings

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule. This action therefore is not covered under Executive 
Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

[[Page 13506]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Withdrawal

0
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. FAA-2011-
0449, which was published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2011 (76 
FR 27958), is withdrawn.

    Issued on February 26, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-04508 Filed 3-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P