DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1170; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00720-R;
Amendment 39-21575; AD 2021-11-13]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD
requires inspecting certain serial-numbered Emergency Flotation System
(EFS) inflation hoses and depending on the results of those
inspections, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from
service. This AD was prompted by a report that a float compartment on
an EFS did not inflate. 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 a certain document listed in this AD as of July 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For Safran Aerosystems Services 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 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-2020-1170.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1170; 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 service information that is incorporated by
reference, 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,
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General
Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

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 429 helicopters
with a Bell EFS kit part number (P/N) 429-706-069-101/-103/-105/-121/-
123/-125/-139/-141/-143/or -157 manufactured before July 2019, with a
float supply hose manufactured before January 2014, installed, except
for float supply hoses marked with ``SB 025-69-21'' above the external
identification marking. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
March 23, 2021 (86 FR 15434). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require
within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), removing each EFS supply hose
and inspecting each end (also referred to as fitting or banjo) of the
EFS supply hose using a certain plastic cable tie, and depending on the
results of those inspections, removing from service certain parts and
replacing those parts with airworthy parts. The NPRM also proposed to
require marking a green dot on the base of certain supply hoses and
writing ``SB 025-69-21'' above the external identification marking of
the EFS with indelible ink. Finally, the NPRM proposed to prohibit
installing any EFS supply hose manufactured before January 2014 unless
it has been inspected in accordance with the NPRM. The NPRM was
prompted by Canadian AD CF-2020-21R1, issued August 19, 2020 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2020-21R1), by Transport Canada, which is the aviation
authority for Canada, to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-
numbered Bell Model 429 helicopters. Transport Canada advises that
during maintenance on an EFS, the third compartment of the left forward
float did not inflate. Transport Canada also advises that an
investigation determined the supply hose for the gas flow from the
pressurized cylinder to the float compartment was blocked due to a
manufacturing defect. Bell advised that similar supply hoses are
installed on various EFS part numbers, which could be installed on
different helicopter type designs. Transport Canada further advises
that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
partial inflation of the EFS during an emergency landing on water,
preventing a timely egress from the helicopter, and injury to
helicopter occupants.
Accordingly, Transport Canada AD CF-2020-21R1 requires a one-time
special detailed inspection of the affected system to verify that there
is no blockage through the EFS supply hoses and replacement, as
required, of the affected supply hoses. Transport Canada AD CF-2020-
21R1 also renders any affected EFS supply hoses not eligible as a
replacement part on Bell Model 429 helicopters.

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 Safran Aerosystems Services Service Bulletin No.
025-69-21, Revision 00, dated March 23, 2020 (SB 025-69-21). SB 025-69-
21 is attached to Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 429-20-52, dated
March 30, 2020 (ASB 429-20-52). SB 025-69-21 is incorporated by
reference in this AD. ASB 429-20-52 is not incorporated by reference in
this AD. SB 025-69-21 specifies, for certain EFSs manufactured before
July 2019, and any float supply hose manufactured before January 2014,
performing a special inspection to verify that there is no blockage
through the float supply hoses of the EFS inflation system.
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.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

The Transport Canada AD requires compliance within 600 hours air
time or within the next 24-month inspection of the EFS, whichever
occurs first, whereas this AD requires compliance within 100 hours TIS.
The Transport Canada AD limits the applicability to certain EFS supply
hoses listed in SB 025-69-21, whereas this AD applies to certain EFS
supply hoses manufactured before January 2014 but excludes EFS supply
hoses marked with ``SB 025-69-21.''

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 110 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
Removing and inspecting each EFS supply hose will take about 0.75
work-hour, for an estimated cost of $64 per hose.
Installing or replacing each EFS supply hose will take about 0.10
work-hour with a minimal parts cost, for an estimated cost of $9 per
hose.
Marking each EFS supply hose with a green dot and the applicable
service bulletin number will take a minimal amount of time at a nominal
cost.
According to Safran's service information, some of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage by
Safran; accordingly, all costs are included in this cost estimate.

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.

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: