DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0232; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00353-R;
Amendment 39-22758; AD 2024-10-12]
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 407 helicopters. This AD was
prompted by a report that a certain part-numbered fuel system standpipe
assembly (standpipe) may have sharp edges at the interval weld joints
due to a quality escape during the manufacturing process. This AD
requires inspecting certain fuel system parts and, depending on the
inspection results, taking corrective actions and performing a fuel
quantity gauging system calibration. Depending on the results of the
fuel quantity gauging system calibration, this AD requires performing
additional corrective actions and repeating the fuel quantity gauging
system calibration. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 22, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 22,
2024.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0232; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For Bell material, contact Bell Textron Canada Limited,
12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; phone 1-450-
437-2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax 1-450-433-0272; email
productsupport@bellflight.com; or at bellflight.com/support/contact-support.
You may view this material 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
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0232.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hughlett, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (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 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Textron Canada
Limited Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 54832 through 54931
inclusive, 54933 through 54939 inclusive, and 54942 through 54954
inclusive, with a certain part-numbered fuel system standpipe assembly
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 20,
2024 (89 FR 12792). The NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-
2023-11, dated February 23, 2023 (Transport Canada AD CF-2023-11),
issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada.
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-11 states that, due to a quality escape,
standpipe part number (P/N) 407-062-032-103 may have been delivered
with sharp edges at the internal weld joints.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require, with the standpipe
removed, inspecting its interior for any sharp edges on each internal
weld joint. If there are any sharp edges on any weld joint, the NPRM
proposed to require deburring the edges, ensuring not to exceed a
certain depth into the tube. The NPRM then proposed to require removing
all sanding residue and applying a chemical film to any bare metal
surfaces. The NPRM also proposed to require, with the harness assembly
removed, inspecting the harness assembly connectors for any mechanical
damage and corrosion to the electrical pins, and inspecting the
insulation tubing and wires of the harness assembly for any crack and
chafing. Depending on these results, the NPRM proposed to require
replacing the harness assembly.
If the harness assembly was required to be replaced as a result of
the proposed AD requirements, the NPRM proposed to require performing a
fuel quantity gauging system calibration.

Depending on the calibration results, the NPRM proposed to require
replacing the harness assembly and repeating the fuel quantity gauging
system calibration. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
You may examine the Transport Canada AD in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0232.

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 Transport Canada and are
approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's
bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada has notified the FAA
about the unsafe condition described in its AD. Except for minor
editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
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 Bell Alert Service Bulletin 407-21-124, dated
February 1, 2022, which specifies procedures for a one-time visual
inspection of the internal weld joints of standpipe P/N 407-062-032-
103. If there are any sharp edges, this service information specifies
rework procedures, which include deburring the sharp edges, removing
all residue, and applying a chemical film. This service information
also specifies procedures to remove and inspect the harness assembly
connectors for any damage to the electrical pins and inspect the
insulation tubing and wires for any cracks and chafing.
Additionally, this service information specifies if any damage is
found, contacting product support engineering and submitting certain
information. Finally, this service information specifies instructions
for various fuel procedures and checks.
The FAA also reviewed Fuel Quantity Gauging System, DMC-407-A-95-
65-10-01A-273A-A, dated June 2, 2022, of Chapter 95--Instruments, of
Bell Model 407 Maintenance Manual, BHT-407-MM, Issue No. 014, dated
December 12, 2023, which specifies procedures for a fuel quantity
gauging system calibration procedure and inspecting the fuel quantity
display information.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

Transport Canada AD CF-2023-11 requires contacting Bell for
disposition instructions if damage is found on the harness assembly,
whereas this AD requires removing an affected harness assembly from
service and replacing it with an airworthy harness assembly.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 51 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.
Inspecting the interior of the standpipe will take approximately 1
work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $4,335 for
the U.S. fleet.
Inspecting the harness assembly connectors, insulation tubing, and
wiring will take approximately 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85
per helicopter and $4,335 for the U.S. fleet.
If required, deburring, cleaning, and applying a chemical film to
each affected weld joint will take approximately 0.5 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $43 per weld joint.
If required, replacing an affected harness assembly will take
approximately 1 work-hour and parts will cost approximately $1,071 for
an estimated cost of $1,156 per harness replacement.
If required, performing a fuel quantity gauging system calibration
will take approximately 10 work-hours for an estimated cost of $850 per
procedure.
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 operators.

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: