DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0377; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00380-R;
Amendment 39-21674; AD 2021-16-12]
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
certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters. This AD was
prompted by three occurrences of metallic debris in the engine oil
lubrication system causing the 12 volts direct current (VDC) reference
voltage to be shorted to ground and loss of important flight
information to the pilot. This AD requires replacing a certain part-
numbered relay panel assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 13, 2021.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 13, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel,
Quebec J7J1R4, Canada; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax
(450) 433-0272; email productsupport@bellflight.com; or at
https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. 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. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0377.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0377; 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; email hal.jensen@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 Textron Canada
Limited Model 505 helicopters, with serial numbers 65011 through 65023
inclusive, 65025 through 65028 inclusive, 65030 through 65032
inclusive, 65034, and 65036 with relay panel assembly part number (P/N)
SLS-075-002-107 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on May 25, 2021 (86 FR 28038). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require
replacing relay panel assembly part number P/N SLS-075-002-107 with
relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-109. The NPRM also proposed to
prohibit installing relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 on any
helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by Canadian AD CF-2017-36, dated
December 15, 2017 (Canadian AD CF-2017-36), issued by Transport Canada,
which is the aviation authority for Canada, to correct an unsafe
condition for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTCL) (now Bell
Textron Canada Limited) Model 505 helicopters serial numbers 65011
through 65023, 65025 through 65028, 65030 through 65032, 65034, and
65036. Transport Canada advises of three occurrences of metallic debris
in the engine oil lubrication system of the Model 505 helicopter
causing the Garmin Engine Airframe (GEA) 12 VDC reference voltage to be
shorted to ground. This short to ground results in loss of display of
important flight information including the main rotor rotations per
minute (Nr), fuel quantity, and transmission oil pressure and
temperature, and the generator voltage and ammeter parameters are
marked invalid with a red "X" on the primary flight display (PFD) and
the multi-function display (MFD). This condition, if not addressed,
could result in loss of caution, advisory, and system performance
indications for multiple helicopter systems, particularly when
the initiating event may be the activation of the engine chip detector.

Accordingly, Canadian AD CF-2017-36 requires replacing relay panel
assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 with relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-109.

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. Except for minor editorial changes and updating the email
and website addresses for Bell Textron Canada Limited throughout this
document, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 505-17-04,
dated December 6, 2017 (ASB 505-17-04). ASB 505-17-04 specifies
procedures for replacing relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-107 with
relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-002-109. ASB 505-17-04 also specifies
procedures for accomplishing a functional test of the two engine
electrical magnetic plugs and provides a notice to ensure 505-FM-1 (TR-
2) is inserted into the flight manual.

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

Canadian AD CF-2017-36 requires replacing the relay panel assembly
within 25 hours air time or 30 days, whichever occurs first, whereas
this AD requires that replacement within 25 hours time-in-service
instead. Canadian AD CF-2017-36 applies to certain serial-numbered
Model 505 helicopters, whereas this AD applies to certain serial-
numbered Model 505 helicopters with relay panel assembly P/N SLS-075-
002-107 installed instead.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 3 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85
per work-hour.

Replacing each relay panel assembly takes about 3 work-hours and
parts cost $7,079 for an estimated cost of $7,334 per helicopter and
$22,002 for the U.S. fleet.

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: