DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1003; Project Identifier AD-2021-01141-R;
Amendment 39-21899; AD 2022-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-15-
51, which applied to Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously
held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B,
and 212 helicopters. AD 2021-15-51 required removing certain main rotor
hub strap pins (pins) from service and prohibited installing them on
any helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-15-51, it was determined
that a defective pin could also be installed on Bell Textron Inc. Model
210 helicopters. This AD continues the required actions in AD 2021-15-
51 and expands the applicability to add Model 210 helicopters. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 16, 2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bell Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
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 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 at https://www.regulations.govby
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1003; 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 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: David Wilson, Aerospace Engineer,
DSCO
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5786; email
david.wilson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued Emergency AD 2021-15-51 on July 6, 2021, and it
published as a Final rule; request for comments on August 9, 2021 as
Amendment 39-21678 (86 FR 43406) (AD 2021-15-51). AD 2021-15-51 applied
to Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212
helicopters with a pin part number (P/N) 204-012-104-005 with a serial
number (S/N) prefix ``FNFS'' installed. AD 2021-15-51 was prompted by
a
fatal accident of a Model 212 helicopter in which a pin P/N 204-012-
104-005 with an S/N prefix ``FNFS'' sheared off during flight, which
resulted in the main rotor blade and the main rotor head detaching from
the helicopter. The pin had accumulated only 20 total hours time-in-
service (TIS). An inspection of a different Model 212 helicopter
revealed that another pin installed, and made by the same manufacturer
and with the same S/N prefix, was deformed; this pin had accumulated
only 29 total hours TIS. Because an affected pin could also be
installed on other helicopters, AD 2021-15-51 also applied to Model
204B, 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters. Failure of a pin could result
in the main rotor blade detaching from the helicopter and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
After AD 2021-15-51 was issued, it was determined that an affected
pin could also be installed on Model 210 helicopters. Therefore, the
FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part
39 to supersede AD 2021-15-51. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on November 19, 2021 (86 FR 64832) and it proposed to continue
to require all of the requirements of AD 2021-15-51 and add Model 210
helicopters to the applicability.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adoption of the AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in
the NPRM.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), each Revision
A and dated July 22, 2021:
ASB 204B-21-74 for Model 204B helicopters, S/Ns 2001
through 2070 and 2196 through 2199;
ASB 205-21-117 for Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, S/Ns
30001 through 30065, 30067 through 30165, 30167 through 30187, 30189
through 30296, and 30298 through 30332;
ASB 205B-21-71 for Model 205B helicopters, S/Ns 30066,
30166, 30188 and 30297;
ASB 210-21-14 for all Model 210 helicopters, and
ASB 212-21-165 for Model 212 helicopters, S/Ns 30501
through 30999, 31101 through 31311, 32101 through 32142, and 35001
through 35103.
The ASBs specify removing all P/N 204-012-104-005 pins with an S/N
prefix ``FNFS'' before further flight. The ASBs also specify that,
although the investigation is still in progress, removing these pins
from service is required. The ASBs state that these pins may not have
been manufactured in accordance with the engineering design
requirements and may therefore shear as a result of this
nonconformance.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 155 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.
Replacing up to four pins takes about 20 work-hours and parts cost
about $1,756 for four pins for an estimated cost of up to $3,456 per
helicopter, and up to $535,680 for the U.S. fleet.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals.
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
The FAA has determined that 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 2021-15-51, Amendment 39-21678 (86
FR 43406, August 9, 2021); and
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
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