DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0598; Product Identifier 2018-SW-030-AD; Amendment
39-21194; AD 2020-16-10]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212,
214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. This AD was prompted
by a report of a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip (comfort clip)
interfering with the seat belt inertia reel. This AD requires removing
comfort clips from service and inspecting the seat belt shoulder
harness (harness) for a rip or an abrasion. The actions of this AD are
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bell Textron Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone 817-280-3391; fax 817-280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.
com. You may view the referenced service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

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-2018-
0598; 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, any comments received, and other information. The 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: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management
Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817-222-5198; fax: 817-222-4960; email:
Kuethe.Harmon@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Model 204B, 205A,
205A-1, 205B, 212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters with
a comfort clip part number (P/N) D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, or
504636-401 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
April 6, 2020 (85 FR, 19113). The NPRM was prompted by a series of
service bulletins issued by Bell reporting an issue with comfort clip
P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401, which are
installed on seat belt assemblies. A design review by Leonardo S.p.A.
Helicopter (formerly Agusta S.p.A., Finmeccanica S.p.A.) indicates the
use of the affected comfort clips could jeopardize, in cases of impact
or deceleration, the correct functionality of the seat belt or the seat
belt inertia reel. The NPRM proposed to require removing comfort clips
P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401from service and
inspecting each harness for a rip or an abrasion. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this AD, but the FAA did not receive any comments on the
NPRM.

FAA's Determination

The FAA has reviewed the relevant information and determined that
an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of these same type designs and that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 204B-15-70 for
Model 204B helicopters, Bell ASB 205-15-113 for Model 205A and 205A-1
helicopters, Bell ASB 205B-15-66 for Model 205B helicopters, Bell ASB
212-15-156 for Model 212 helicopters, Bell ASB 412-15-170 for Model 412
and 412EP helicopters, and Bell ASB 412CF-15-60 for Model 412CF
helicopters, all dated January 20, 2016. The FAA also reviewed Bell ASB
214-15-76, dated January 11, 2016, for Model 214B and 214B-1
helicopters. This service information specifies removing the comfort
clips from all crew and passenger seat belt assemblies.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

The service information specifies a compliance time of within 100
flight hours or no later than February 21, 2016, and does not specify
inspecting each harness for a rip and an abrasion. This AD requires a
compliance time of within 50 hours TIS and requires inspecting each
harness for a rip and an abrasion. The FAA determined that including an
inspection for harness damage is necessary to correct the unsafe
condition.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 210 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85
per work-hour.
Removing a comfort clip takes about 0.5 work-hour, for an estimated
cost of $43 per comfort clip.

Inspecting a harness takes about 0.25 work-hour, for an estimated
cost of $21 per harness.
If required, replacing a harness takes about 1 work-hour and parts
cost about $1,050 for an estimated replacement cost of $1,135 per
harness.

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 helicopters identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
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.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):