DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0783; Project Identifier 2019-SW-009-AD; Amendment
39-21825; AD 2021-24-04]
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), 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 505 helicopters. This
AD was prompted by the determination that reducing the pressure
altitude limitations for certain fuel types is necessary. This AD
requires revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your
helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 13, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of January 13,
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bell Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel,
Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; telephone 1-450-437-2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax
1-450-433-0272; 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-2021-0783.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0783; 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer,
Dynamic Systems Section, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy &
Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222-5110; email rao.edupuganti@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 certain Bell Textron
Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter
Textron Canada Limited) Model 505 helicopters. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on September 20, 2021 (86 FR 52109). In the NPRM,
the FAA proposed to require revising the existing RFM for your
helicopter. Incorporating the RFM revision may be performed by the
owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and
must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this
AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR
91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. This is an exception to the FAA's standard
maintenance regulations.
The NPRM was prompted by Canadian AD CF-2019-08, dated March 5,
2019 (Canadian AD CF-2019-08), issued by Transport Canada, which is the
aviation authority for Canada, to correct an unsafe condition for Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters serial numbers
65011 and subsequent. Transport Canada advises of the need to reduce
the altitude limitations for Jet B and JP-4 wide-cut fuels following
unsatisfactory performance of the engine at the original higher
altitude limitations with these wide-cut fuels. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in low fuel pressure, engine flame-out, or
engine power interruption (a change in any engine performance
parameter--including but not limited to gas generator speed, power
turbine speed, main gas temperature, or output torque--outside its
normal limits for the prevailing operating conditions).
Accordingly, Canadian AD CF-2019-08 requires revising the RFM to
reflect the reduced altitude operating limitations for Jet B and JP-4
wide-cut fuels.

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, this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Figure 1-6. Fuel Operating Envelope (Sheet 1 of 1)
of Bell 505 Rotorcraft Flight Manual BHT-505-FM-1, Revision 3, dated
July 25, 2018, which specifies limitations, normal and emergency
procedures, performance data, weight and balance information, and
provides a list of approved optional equipment supplements. This
revision of the service information includes an updated figure of the
fuel operating envelope showing the reduced pressure altitude
limitations for Jet B and JP-4 fuels.
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-2019-08 requires updating the RFM to Bell 505 RFM
BHT-505-FM-1 Revision 3 or later revisions approved by Transport
Canada, whereas this AD requires revising the Limitations Section of
the RFM for your helicopter by replacing the existing Figure 1-6. with
Figure 1-6. Fuel Operating Envelope (Sheet 1 of 1) of Bell 505 RFM BHT-
505-FM-1, Revision 3, dated July 25, 2018.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 73 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.
Revising the existing RFM for your helicopter would take about 0.5
work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter or $3,139 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 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive: