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.
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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
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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
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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:
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