DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1175; Product Identifier 2018-SW-071-AD; Amendment
39-21563; AD 2021-11-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding 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
required 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. This AD was
prompted by the engine manufacturer expanding the RPM (N2) steady-state
operation avoidance range limits. This AD retains certain requirements
of AD 2013-20-13, and requires revising certain sections of the
existing RFM for your helicopter and installing or replacing a placard.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 15,
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final 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 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. Service information that is incorporated by reference is also
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1175.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket 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 final rule, the
Transport Canada AD, 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: 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:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2013-20-13, Amendment 39-17619 (78 FR
66252, November 5, 2013), (AD 2013-20-13). AD 2013-20-13 applied to
Bell Model 206B helicopters, serial number (S/N) 004 through 4675,
including helicopters converted from Model 206A; and Bell Model 206L
helicopters, S/N 45001 through 45153, and 46601 through 46617. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2021 (86 FR 13828). The
NPRM proposed to require, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS),
revising the Operating Limitations and the Normal Procedures sections
of the existing RFM for your helicopter and installing or replacing a
placard. The NPRM was prompted by a determination from the
manufacturers that the steady-state operation avoidance range limits
needed to be expanded, amendments to the RFM needed to be incorporated,
and a new placard (decal) needed to be installed.
Transport Canada AD CF-2018-23, dated August 22, 2018 (AD CF-2018-
23), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for
Canada, corrects an unsafe condition for Bell Model 206B series
helicopters including those converted from Model 206A, S/Ns up to 4690,
and model 206L series helicopters, S/Ns 45001 through 45153 and 46601
through 46617. Transport Canada 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. 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. This condition, if not addressed, could
result in turbine failure, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, Transport Canada AD CF-2018-23 requires incorporating
the amended RFM power plant operating limitations and engine starting
procedures for RPM (N2) steady-state operation and installing a new
decal.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

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 reviewed the relevant data and determined that
air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters.

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.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

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

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 934 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.
Amending the existing RFM for your helicopter takes 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 takes about 0.2 work-hour and
parts 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

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.

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:

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

b. Adding the following new AD: