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PROPOSED AD BELL TEXTRON CANADA LIMITED HELICOPTERS: Docket No. FAA-2020-1175; Product Identifier 2018-SW-071-AD.
(a) APPLICABILITY

    This  airworthiness  directive  (AD)  applies  to  the  following Bell
    Textron  Canada  Limited  (Bell)  helicopters,  certificated  in   any
    category:

(1) Bell Model 206B,  serial number  (S/N) 004 through 4690 inclusive, in-
    cluding helicopters converted from Model 206A; and

Note 1 to paragraph (a)(1): Helicopters with a 206B3 designation are Model
206B helicopters.

(2) Bell Model 206L,  S/N 45001 through 45153 inclusive, and 46601 through
    46617 inclusive.

(b) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This  AD  defines  the  unsafe  condition  as  a  third  stage turbine
    vibration.  This condition  could result  in  turbine  failure, engine
    power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) AFFECTED ADS

    This AD  supersedes AD  2013-20-13, Amendment  39-17619 (78  FR 66252,
    November 5, 2013).

(d) COMMENTS DUE DATE

    The FAA must receive comments by April 26, 2021.

(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

    Within 25 hours time-in-service:

(1) For Bell Model 206B helicopters:

(i) Revise the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter
    by  inserting Section  1, Operating  Limitations, page  1-2A, of  Bell
    Model 206B RFM BHT-206B-FM-1, Revision  B-54, dated May 30, 2018  (BHT
    -206B-FM-1) or Section 1, Limitations,  page 1-5, of Bell Model  206B3
    RFM BHT-206B3-FM-1, Revision 17, dated May 30, 2018  (BHT-206B3-FM-1),
    as applicable to your helicopter. Inserting a different document  with
    "Steady-state operation"  information identical  to page  1-2A of  BHT
    -206B-FM-1  or  page  1-5 of  BHT-206B3-FM-1,  as  applicable to  your
    helicopter, is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this
    paragraph.

(ii) Revise the existing RFM  for your helicopter  by inserting Section 2,
     Normal Procedures,  page 2-8  of BHT-206B-FM-1  or Section  2, Normal
     Procedures,  page  2-10  of  BHT-206B3-FM-1,  as  applicable  to your
     helicopter.   Inserting   a  different   document   with  "Continuous
     Operation" information identical to page 2-8 of BHT-206B-FM-1 or page
     2-10  of  BHT-206B3-FM-1,  as  applicable  to  your  helicopter,   is
     acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.

(iii) Remove placard part number (P/N) 230-075-213-121, if installed.

(iv) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-129 or placard P/N 230-075-213-131 on
     the instrument panel directly below the dual tachometer.

(2) For Bell Model 206L helicopters:

(i) Revise the existing RFM for your helicopter  by  inserting  Section 1,
    Operating Limitations, page 1-4B,  of Bell Model 206L  RFM BHT-206L-FM
    -1,  Revision  31,  dated  May 30, 2018  (BHT-206L-FM-1).  Inserting a
    different document with "Steady-state operation" information identical
    to page 1-4B  of BHT-206L-FM-1 is  acceptable for compliance  with the
    requirements of this paragraph.

(ii) Revise the existing RFM  for your helicopter  by inserting Section 2,
     Normal Procedures, page 2-10 of BHT-206L-FM-1. Inserting a  different
     document with "Continuous Operation" information identical to page  2
     -10  of   BHT-206L-FM-1  is   acceptable  for   compliance  with  the
     requirements of this paragraph.

(iii) Remove placard P/N 230-075-213-123, if installed.

(iv) Install placard P/N 230-075-213-129 or placard P/N 230-075-213-131 on
     the instrument panel below the dual tachometer.

(g) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)

(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch,  FAA,  may approve AMOCs
    for this AD. Send your proposal to: Michael Hughlett, Aviation  Safety
    Engineer,  General  Aviation   &  Rotorcraft  Section,   International
    Validation Branch, FAA,  10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,  Fort Worth, TX  76177;
    telephone 817-222-5889; email 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.

(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate
    or under 14 CFR part 91,  subpart K, the FAA suggests 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.

(h) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

(1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-07-115, Revision D, and ASB 206L
    -07-146,  Revision  C,  each  dated  July  9,  2018,  which  are   not
    incorporated by  reference, contain  additional information  about the
    subject of this  AD. For a  copy of this  service information, contact
    Bell Textron Canada Limited,  12,800 Rue de l'Avenir,  Mirabel, Quebec
    J7J 1R4; telephone 450-437-2862 or 800-363-8023; fax 450-433-0272;  or
    at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view this 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-2018
    -23, dated August 22,  2018. You may view  the Transport Canada AD  on
    the internet in the AD Docket at https://www.regulations.gov.

(i) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7250, Turbine Section.

Issued on January 27, 2021. Lance T Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworth-
iness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 26, 2021
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1175; Product Identifier 2018-SW-071-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2013-20-13 for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell
Textron Canada Limited) (Bell) Model 206B and 206L helicopters. AD
2013-20-13 requires installing a placard beneath the engine power dual
tachometer and revising the Operating Limitations section of the
existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. Since the
FAA issued AD 2013-20-13, the engine manufacturer expanded the RPM (N2)
steady-state operation avoidance range limits. This proposed AD would
retain certain requirements of AD 2013-20-13, require revising certain
sections of the existing RFM for your helicopter, and require either
replacing or installing a placard. The actions of this proposed AD are
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 26,
2021.

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

Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1175;
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, any comments received and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.

For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact
Bell 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
https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view this 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: Michael Hughlett, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone 817-222-5889; email Michael.Hughlett@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2020-1175; Product Identifier
2018-SW-071-AD" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regualations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this proposal.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Michael Hughlett, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation &
Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5889; email
Michael.Hughlett@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.

Discussion

The FAA issued AD 2013-20-13, Amendment 39-17619 (78 FR 66252,
November 5, 2013) for certain Bell Model 206B and 206L helicopters. AD
2013-20-13 requires installing a placard beneath the engine power dual
tachometer and revising the Operating Limitations section of the
existing RFM for your helicopter. AD 2013-20-13 was prompted by several
incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were
caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-
state operations. Those actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid
certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, and prevent
failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and sub-
sequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Actions Since AD 2013-20-13 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2013-20-13, Transport Canada, which is the
aviation authority for Canada, issued Canadian AD No. CF-2018-23, dated
August 22, 2018, which advises that Rolls Royce has expanded the RPM
(N2) steady-state operation avoidance range limits due to several
failures of the third stage turbine wheel. According to Transport
Canada, Rolls Royce determined that detrimental vibrations could occur
within a particular range of turbine speeds, which may be a
contributing factor to these failures. Accordingly, Rolls Royce has
expanded the steady-state operation avoidance range limits. Bell has
also amended the RFMs and the engine starting procedures for RPM (N2)
and provided a new decal (placard) to inform pilots to avoid steady-
state operations at those engine turbine speeds. The Transport Canada
AD mandates incorporating the amended RFM power plant operating
limitations and engine starting procedures for RPM (N2) steady-state
operation and installing a new decal.

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
the FAA's bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its
technical representative, has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the Transport Canada AD. The FAA is proposing this AD
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of
the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed the following service information, which contains
revised operating limitations and engine starting instructions:

Section 1, Operating Limitations, page 1-2A, of Bell Model
206B RFM BHT-206B-FM-1, Revision B-54, dated May 30, 2018 (BHT-206B-FM-1).

Section 2, Normal Procedures, page 2-8 of BHT-206B-FM-1.

Section 1, Limitations, page 1-5, of Bell Model 206B3 RFM
BHT-206B3-FM-1, Revision 17, dated May 30, 2018 (BHT-206B3-FM-1).

Section 2, Normal Procedures, page 2-10 of BHT-206B3-FM-1.

Section 1, Operating Limitations, page 1-4B, of Bell Model
206L RFM BHT-206L-FM-1, Revision 31, dated May 30, 2018 (BHT-206L-FM-1).

Section 2, Normal Procedures, page 2-10 of BHT-206L-FM-1.

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.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-07-115,
Revision D, for Model 206A and 206B helicopters, and ASB 206L-07-146,
Revision C, for Model 206L helicopters, each dated July 9, 2018. This
service information contains procedures for installing a decal
(placard) on the instrument panel below the Nr/N2 RPM dual tachometer
indicator and inserting the RFM changes into the RFM.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require revising the Operating Limitations
and the Normal Procedures sections of the existing RFM for your
helicopter. This proposed AD would also require installing or replacing
a placard. The proposed actions would be required within 25 hours time-
in-service (TIS).

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD

The Transport Canada AD requires compliance within 30 calendar
days, while this proposed AD would require compliance within 25 hours
TIS.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 934
helicopters of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may
incur the following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD.
Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.

Amending the existing RFM for your helicopter would take about 0.5
work-hour, for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $40,162 for
the U.S. fleet.

Installing or replacing a placard would take about 0.2 work-hour
and parts would cost about $20, for a cost of $37 per helicopter.

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.

The FAA is 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

The FAA 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. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

3. 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.

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:

a. Removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-20-13, Amendment 39-17619
(78 FR 66252, November 5, 2013); and

b. Adding the following new AD: