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2021-03-13 BELL TEXTRON CANADA LIMITED (TYPE CERTIFICATE PREVIOUSLY HELD BY BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA LIMITED): Amendment 39-21416; Docket No. FAA-2020-0860; Product Identifier 2019-SW-005-AD.
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 1, 2021.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    None.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This  AD  applies to  Bell  Textron Canada  Limited  (type certificate
    previously held by Bell  Helicopter Textron Canada Limited)  Model 429
    helicopters,  certificated  in  any  category,  serial  numbers  57001
    through 57351 inclusive.

(d) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6200, Main  rotor system.

(e) REASON

    This AD was prompted by the  introduction of a new life limit  for the
    centrifugal force bearing (CFB). The FAA is issuing this AD to address
    a CFB remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. Failure to observe
    the CFB  life limit  could result  in excessive  vibration and loss of
    control of the helicopter.

(f) COMPLIANCE

    Comply  with this  AD within  the compliance  times specified,  unless
    already done.

(g) REQUIRED ACTIONS

    For each CFB  having part number  429-310-003-103 (the affected  CFB):
    Within 50 hours time-in-service, determine the accumulated  retirement
    index number (RIN). For purposes of this AD, count 1 RIN each time one
    or both engines are started. If any affected CFB has accumulated 8,000
    or more total RIN, before further flight, remove the affected CFB from
    service. If  any affected  CFB has  accumulated less  than 8,000 total
    RIN, create a component history card or equivalent record indicating a
    life limit of 8,000 total  RIN. Thereafter, continue to count  RIN and
    record the  life limit  of the  affected CFB  on its component history
    card or  equivalent record  and remove  the affected  CFB from service
    before accumulating 8,000 total RIN.

(h) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)

(1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, has the author-
    ity to approve  AMOCs for this  AD, if requested  using the procedures
    found in  14 CFR  39.19. In  accordance with  14 CFR  39.19, send your
    request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District
    Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager
    of  the  Strategic Policy  Rotorcraft  Section, send  it  to: Manager,
    Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section,  FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,  Fort
    Worth, TX  76177; telephone  817-222-5110. Information  may be emailed
    to: 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your  appropriate principal in-
    spector, or lacking  a principal inspector,  the manager of  the local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding  district office.

(i) RELATED INFORMATION

(1) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD CF-2019-03,
    dated January 31, 2019. This Transport  Canada AD may be found in  the
    AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by  searching
    for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2020-0860.

(2) For more  information about this  AD, contact Matt  Fuller, AD Program
    Manager, Continued Operational  Safety Branch, Airworthiness  Products
    Section, General  Aviation and  Rotorcraft Unit,  FAA, 10101  Hillwood
    Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX  76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-
    AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.

(3) Bell Model 429  Maintenance Planning Information BHT-429-MPI,  Chapter
    4,   Airworthiness   Limitations   Schedule,    DMC-429-A-04-00-00-00A
    -288A-A, Issue 1, dated January 10, 2019, which is not incorporated by
    reference, contains additional information  about the subject of  this
    AD.  For  service  information  identified  in  this  AD  that  is not
    incorporated by reference, 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.

(j) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    None.

Issued on  January 28,  2021. Gaetano  A. Sciortino,  Deputy Director  for
Strategic  Initiatives,  Compliance  &  Airworthiness  Division,  Aircraft
Certification Service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, AD Program  Manager, Contin-
ued  Operational Safety  Branch, Airworthiness  Products Section,  General
Aviation and Rotorcraft  Unit, FAA, 10101  Hillwood Pkwy., Fort  Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0860; Product Identifier 2019-SW-005-AD; Amendment
39-21416; AD 2021-03-13]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited)
Helicopters

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held
by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. This
AD was prompted by the introduction of a new life limit for the
centrifugal force bearing (CFB). This AD requires determining the
accumulated retirement index number (RIN) and removing each affected
CFB from service before it accumulates 8,000 total RIN. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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. 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. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 817-222-5110.

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-
0860; 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 final rule, 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager,
Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section,
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion


Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, issued Transport Canada AD CF-2019-03, dated
January 31, 2019 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition
for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron
Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. TCCA advises that an
airworthiness limitations schedule document introduces a new life limit
for CFB part number (P/N) 429-310-003-103, a component that was not
previously included. Failure to observe the CFB life limit could result
in excessive vibration and loss of control of the helicopter. You may
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0860.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bell Helicopter
Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 429
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 1,
2020 (85 FR 61879). The NPRM was prompted by the introduction of a new
life limit for the CFB. The NPRM proposed to require determining the
accumulated RIN and removing each affected CFB from service before it
accumulates 8,000 total RIN. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a
CFB remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. Failure to observe
the CFB life limit could result in excessive vibration and loss of
control of the helicopter. See the MCAI for additional background
information.

Comments


The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion


The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed,
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these
minor changes:

Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and

Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Other Related Service Information


Bell Helicopter has issued Bell Model 429 Maintenance Planning
Information BHT-429-MPI, Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule,
DMC-429-A-04-00-00-00A-288A-A, Issue 1, dated January 10, 2019. This
service information describes new maintenance requirements and
airworthiness limitations.

Costs of Compliance


The FAA estimates that this AD affects 85 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

LABOR COST
PARTS COST
COST PER HELICOPTER
COST ON U.S. OPERATORS
28 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,380 $42,576 ($10,644 per bearing x 4 blades)
$44,956
$3,821,260

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


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: