DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0387; Project Identifier AD-2021-01225-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc., Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Bell Textron Inc., Model 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a cracked
check valve. This proposed AD would require inspecting certain engine
oil and fuel check valves, and depending on the results, repetitively
inspecting and removing the check valve from service. This proposed AD
would also prohibit installing affected engine oil and fuel check
valves on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Bell
Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; 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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0387; 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 NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management
Program Manager, Certification & Program Management Section, DSCO
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5198; email
kuethe.harmon@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2022-0387; Project Identifier
AD-2021-01225-R" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program Manager, Certification &
Program Management Section, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222-5198; email kuethe.harmon@faa.gov. Any commentary that the
FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed
in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA proposes to adopt a new AD for Bell Textron Inc., Model
212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters with an engine oil check valve
part number (P/N) 209-062-520-001 or fuel check valve P/N 209-062-607-
001 manufactured by Circor Aerospace that is marked "Circle Seal" and
"CORONA CA," and has a manufacturing date code of, or prior to, "9/
11" (September 2011), or does not have a manufacturing date code,
installed. This proposed AD would not apply to check valves marked with
"TQL." This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a cracked check
valve manufactured in 2009 by Circor Aerospace. An incorrect torque
value applied on the threaded fitting at the check valve inlet end
during the assembly process resulted in the crack. Indication of this
condition may also include an enlarged outside diameter (O.D.)
measurement of the check valve housing at the inlet end where the
threaded fitting is installed or a leak. These check valves may be
installed as engine oil check valve P/N 209-062-520-001 and fuel check
valve P/N 209-062-607-001 on Bell Textron Inc., Model 212, 412, 412CF,
and 412EP helicopters.

The FAA previously issued AD 2019-09-02, Amendment 39-19636 (84 FR
22695, May 20, 2019), which applies to the same model helicopters with
the same part-numbered check valves installed, except it is only for
check valves marked "Circle Seal" and with a manufacturing date code
of "10/11" (October 2011) through "03/15" (March 2015).

This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of
lubrication or fuel to the engine, failure of the engine or a fire, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FAA's Determination

The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type designs.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 212-20-163,
Revision B, dated April 6, 2021 (ASB 212-20-163), Bell ASB 212-20-164,
Revision B, dated April 6, 2021 (ASB 212-20-164), Bell ASB 412-20-182,
Revision B, dated April 6, 2021 (ASB 412-20-182), and Bell ASB 412-20-
183, Revision C, dated April 6, 2021 (ASB 412-20-183). ASB 212-20-163
and ASB 412-20-182 specify procedures for inspecting and replacing
engine oil check valve P/N 209-062-520-001. ASB 212-20-164 and ASB 412-
20-183 specify procedures for inspecting and replacing fuel check valve
P/N 209-062-607-001.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

This proposed AD would require measuring the O.D. of an affected
(engine oil or fuel) check valve housing at the center and at the inlet
end where the threaded fitting is installed. If the dimension measured
at the inlet end is greater than 0.003 inch (0.0762 mm) compared to the
measurement at the center, this proposed AD would require repetitively
inspecting the check valve for a crack and leak, and depending on the
results, removing the check valve from service. This proposed AD would
also require removing the check valve from service at a longer
compliance time, which would terminate the repetitive inspections.
Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit installing affected check
valves on any helicopter.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 169 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 proposed AD.

Measuring up to four check valves (two engine oil and two fuel)
would take up to about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of up to $85
per helicopter and $14,365 for the U.S. fleet. Inspecting up to four
check valves (two engine oil and two fuel) would take up to about 2
work-hours for an estimated cost of up to $170 per helicopter and
$28,730 for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle as applicable.
Replacing up to four valves (two engine oil and two fuel) would take up
to about 4 work-hours and parts would cost up to about $340, for an
estimated cost of up to $680 per helicopter and $114,920 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

The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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: