DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0087; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-029-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, Limited
(Bell) 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 the
Bell Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and
206L-4 helicopters with Aviation Specialties Unlimited Inc. (ASU) Night
Vision Imaging System (NVIS) lighting modified by Supplemental Type
Certificate SR01383SE (STC). This proposed AD is prompted by the
finding that an unfiltered turbine outlet temperature (TOT) indicator
over-temperature warning light, when illuminated, created glare and
reflections that could degrade the pilot's view while using night
vision goggles thereby creating an unsafe condition. The proposed
actions are intended to modify any unfiltered TOT indicator unit over-
temperature warning light by installing a filter to prevent degradation
of the pilot's vision while using night vision goggles and to prevent
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 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 Mail address above 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
Aviation Specialties Unlimited Inc., 4632 Aeronca Street, Boise, Idaho
83705, telephone (208) 426-8117, fax (208) 426-8975 or http://www.asu-nvg.com/. You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Blvd. Room 663, Fort Worth, TX 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, Airframe Branch,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057, telephone (425) 917-
6426, fax (425) 917-6590; email kathleen.arrigotti@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

We propose to adopt a new AD for the specified Bell model
helicopters with an ASU Night Vision Lighting Imaging System installed
per STC SR01383SE. This proposed AD is prompted by the finding that an
unfiltered TOT indicator over-temperature warning light, when
illuminated, created glare and reflections that could degrade the
pilot's view while the pilot is using night vision goggles. This
proposed AD would require determining the date of the STC installation,
determining whether each helicopter has a TOT indicator unit with an
internal over-temperature warning light. If an unfiltered TOT indicator
over-temperature warning light is installed, this AD would require
installing an NVIS filter. The proposed actions are intended to modify
any unfiltered TOT indicator unit over-temperature warning light by
installing a filter to prevent degradation of the pilot's vision while
using night vision goggles and to prevent subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant
information and determined that an unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters with NVIS lighting
installed per STC SR01383SE on or before April 6, 2011.

Relevant Service Information

We reviewed ASU's Alert Service Bulletin No. ASU 206-2010-11-1,
dated November 4, 2010 (ASB) for the Bell Helicopter Textron 206 series
helicopters. The ASB states to visually inspect each helicopter to
determine if the TOT indicator/gauge has an internal over-temperature
warning light installed. If the over-temperature warning light is
internal, the ASB specifies notifying ASU. ASU states it will
immediately ship an NVIS filter, part number (P/N) ASU-TOTGAG-1.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require, within 30 days or 50 hours time-in-
service, whichever occurs first, determining the date of the STC
installation. If the date is on or before April 6, 2011, or the date is
undocumented, this AD would require determining if the TOT indicator
unit has an internal over-temperature warning light. If the unit has an
unfiltered internal over-temperature warning light, this AD would
require installing an NVIS filter, P/N ASU-TOTGAG-1.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

This proposed AD does not apply to helicopters modified by the STC
after April 6, 2011, because a new design was approved for the STC on
April 6, 2011, and contained instructions to install the NVIS over-
temperature indicator light filter. This proposed AD does not require
you to notify ASU.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 34 helicopters of
U.S. registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs
to comply with this AD: Determining the date, inspecting for an
unfiltered, over-temperature TOT indicator light in the cockpit, and
installing a filter would take about 1.8 work hours at $85 per hour. A
filter would cost about $300. The total cost would be $15,402 assuming
the filter would be installed on the entire fleet.

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 above, 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 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

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: