DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1296; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00844-R;
Amendment 39-22802; AD 2024-15-10]
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 a fuel leakage discovered during fuel system crash impact
testing activity. This AD requires installing a grommet around the sump
drain port fitting airframe hole, as specified in a Transport Canada
AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 21, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 21, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1296; 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 Transport Canada material identified in this AD,
contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada National Aircraft
Certification, 159 Cleopatra Drive, Nepean, Ontario, K1A 0N5, CANADA;
telephone 888-663-3639; email TC.AirworthinessDirectives-
Consignesdenavigabilite.TC@tc.gc.ca; internet tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
You may find the Transport Canada material on the Transport Canada
website at wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/cawis-swimn/ad_qs1.aspx.

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-2024-1296.

Other Related Material: For Bell material identified in this AD,
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
bellflight.com/support/contact-support.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hughlett, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-5110; email: michael.Hughlett@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada AD CF-2023-51, dated July 11, 2023 (Transport
Canada AD CF-2023-51), to correct an unsafe condition on certain
serial-numbered Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered
Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 505 helicopters as identified in
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-51. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on May 14, 2024 (89 FR 41906). The NPRM was prompted by a fuel
leakage discovered during fuel system crash impact testing activity. In
a certain position, the knurls on the locking sleeve of the fuel drain
quick disconnect valve contacted the airframe cutout upon impact,
resisting against the fuel bladder rotational action and causing
deformation of the poppet, which led to the valve remaining in the
partially open position and subsequent fuel leakage.

The NPRM proposed to require accomplishing the actions specified in
Transport Canada AD CF-2023-51, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.

You may examine Transport Canada AD CF-2023-51 in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1296.

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, has
notified the FAA of 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

Transport Canada AD CF-2023-51 specifies installing a split plastic
grommet around the periphery of the sump drain port fitting airframe
cutout.

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 the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Material

The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin 505-21-21, dated June
8, 2021. For certain serial-numbered helicopters, this material
specifies procedures for installing a split plastic grommet groove
around the periphery of the sump drain port fitting airframe hole
cutout with the split line at the 12 o'clock position.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 145 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.

Installing a grommet around the sump drain port fitting airframe
hole will take approximately 1 work-hour and parts will cost a minimal
amount, for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $12,325 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 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: