DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0795; Product Identifier 2019-SW-069-AD; Amendment
39-21247; AD 2020-19-05]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 505
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each swashplate assembly
bearing (bearing), and depending on the inspection results, removing
the bearing from service. This AD was prompted by a report of a bearing
that migrated out of the swashplate inner ring. The actions of this AD
are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 8, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 8,
2020. The FAA must receive comments on this AD by November 9, 2020.

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-
0795; 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, the Transport Canada AD, any service information that is
incorporated by reference, 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 final 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 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. It is also available on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0795.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel E. Moore, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-
5110; email daniel.e.moore@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and the FAA did not provide you with notice and an opportunity
to provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, the
FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the AD, 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 them only one time.
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 file in the docket all comments received, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this rulemaking during the comment period. The FAA
will consider all the comments received and may conduct additional
rulemaking based on those comments.

Confidential Business Information

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 final rule 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 final rule, 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 final rule. Submissions
containing CBI should be sent to Daniel E. Moore, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-
5110; email daniel.e.moore@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

Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Canadian AD No. CF-2019-28, dated July 25, 2019, to correct an
unsafe condition for Bell Model 505 helicopters, serial number 65011
through 65211. Transport Canada advises of a report showing that a
bearing migrated out of its inner ring. An investigation revealed that,
although the inspection witness mark was applied to the part, the
bearing had not been staked during manufacturing. Transport Canada
further advises that an un-staked bearing, which has migrated out of
its bore, may lead to restriction of the swashplate's movement as a
result of contact or binding between the control tube clevis and the
bearing housing.
This contact or binding may restrict control authority and may also
introduce unintended loads into the control system causing a failure of
the control tube and/or bearing. This situation, if not corrected,
could lead to loss of control of the helicopter. Accordingly, the
Transport Canada AD requires a one-time inspection of each bearing.

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 its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after evaluating all of
the information provided by Transport Canada and determining the unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters
of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin 505-19-13, dated July 2,
2019, which specifies procedures for a one-time inspection of the
staking of certain bearings.
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

Bell Helicopter has issued BHT-ALL-SPM Chapter 9--Bearings,
Sleeves, and Bushings, Revision 7, dated March, 24, 2017, which
specifies procedures for servicing swashplate assembly bearings,
sleeves, and bushings.

AD Requirements

This AD requires, within 20 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a
10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspecting both sides of each
affected bearing for staking in the outer ring part number (P/N) 206-
010-453, inner ring P/N 206-010-451, and lever assembly P/N 206-010-
447. If either side of a bearing is not staked, this AD requires
removing the bearing from service before further flight.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

The Transport Canada AD requires inspecting the bearings for proper
staking, whereas this AD requires inspecting both sides of each bearing
for staking instead. If a swashplate assembly bearing is not staked,
the Transport Canada AD requires replacing the bearing and contacting
Bell, whereas this AD requires removing the bearing from service
instead.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 81 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.
Inspecting the bearings for staking takes about one work-hour for
an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $6,885 for the U.S. fleet.
Replacing a bearing takes about one work-hour and parts cost about $100
for an estimated cost of $185 per replacement.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.)
authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for
rules when the agency, for ``good cause'' finds that those procedures
are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.''
Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a
final rule without seeking comment prior to the rulemaking.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the required corrective action must be completed within 20
hours TIS, a time period of up to one month based on the average
flight-hour utilization rate of these helicopters. Therefore, notice
and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary
to public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for
the reasons stated above, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than one
month.

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 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, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866, and
2. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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):