[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53171-53174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22414]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0834; Product Identifier 2018-SW-058-AD; Amendment 
39-19421; AD 2018-16-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD 
was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
helicopters as Emergency AD 2018-16-51, dated July 26, 2018, which 
superseded Emergency AD 2018-15-51, dated July 20, 2018. This AD 
requires inspecting the tail rotor (T/R) gearbox installation, 
inspecting the T/R gearbox retaining hardware and support attachment 
point areas, and replacing each nut. This AD is prompted by two reports 
of T/R gearbox assemblies loosely attached to the gearbox support. The 
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 6, 2018 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2018-16-51, issued on July 26, 2018, which contains the requirements of 
this AD.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket

[[Page 53172]]

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0834; 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 AD, the Transport Canada AD, the economic evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations (telephone 800- 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 
433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, 
issued Emergency AD No. CF-2018-18, dated July 11, 2018, to correct an 
unsafe condition for Bell Model 429 helicopters. Transport Canada 
advises of two reports of T/R gearbox assemblies loosely attached to 
the gearbox support. According to Transport Canada, this condition 
could lead to structural damage and possible loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    As a result, on July 20, 2018, we issued Emergency AD 2018-15-51 
(Emergency AD 2018-15-51), which required inspecting the T/R gearbox 
installation for looseness, visually inspecting the T/R gearbox 
retaining hardware and support attachment point areas, and torque 
inspecting the gearbox retaining nuts. Depending on the inspection 
results, Emergency AD 2018-15-51 required replacing or repairing the 
affected parts in accordance with FAA-approved procedures. Emergency AD 
2018-15-51 was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators 
of these helicopters. The actions in Emergency AD 2018-15-51 were 
intended to prevent detachment of the T/R gearbox, loss of T/R control, 
and loss of control of the helicopter.
    After we issued Emergency AD 2018-15-51, we discovered an error in 
the replacement nut P/N. The required replacement nut P/N is NAS9926-
6L; not NAS9926-5L as incorrectly stated in Emergency AD 2018-15-51. 
Therefore, on July 26, 2018, we issued Emergency AD 2018-16-51 to 
supersede Emergency AD 2018-15-51 to correct the nut P/N. Emergency AD 
2018-16-51 otherwise retains all of the requirements of Emergency AD 
2018-15-51. Emergency AD 2018-16-51 was also sent previously to all 
known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the Transport Canada AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated 
all information provided by Transport Canada and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-18-40, dated July 6, 
2018, which specifies a one-time inspection of the T/R gearbox 
installation and a one-time visual and torque inspection of the six 
installation attachment points. This service information also specifies 
contacting Bell Product Support Engineering with the results of the T/R 
gearbox installation inspection, any findings of the visual inspection, 
and the results of the torque inspection.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires inspecting the T/R gearbox installation for 
looseness, visually inspecting the T/R gearbox retaining hardware and 
each support attachment point area, and torque inspecting each gearbox 
retaining nut. Depending on the inspection results, this AD requires 
replacing or repairing the affected parts in accordance with FAA-
approved procedures.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

    The Transport Canada AD applies to helicopters with specific serial 
numbers, whereas this AD applies to all Model 429 helicopters. The 
Transport Canada AD includes a calendar based compliance time, whereas 
this AD does not. The Transport Canada AD requires reporting certain 
information to Bell Product Support Engineering and this AD does not. 
If there is looseness, this AD requires performing the visual 
inspection and torque inspection before further flight, while the 
Transport Canada AD requires contacting Bell. Lastly, if the torque of 
a T/R gearbox retaining nut is below 160 in-lbs (19 Nm), this AD 
requires removing the T/R gearbox and inspecting the mounting surfaces 
and retaining hardware, while the Transport Canada AD requires 
contacting Bell.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is 
later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 90 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85.00 per work-hour.

[[Page 53173]]

    Inspecting the T/R gearbox installation takes about 0.25 work-hour 
for an estimated cost of $21 per helicopter and $1,890 for the U.S. 
fleet. Inspecting the T/R gearbox retaining hardware and the support 
attachment points takes about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of 
$43 per helicopter and $3,870 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing the nuts 
takes about 1 work-hour and parts cost about $20 for an estimated cost 
of $105 per helicopter and $9,450 for the U.S. fleet.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2018-16-51, issued on July 26, 2018, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA found that the risk 
to the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to 
adoption of this rule because there are required actions that must be 
completed before further flight and within 5 hours time-in-service. 
These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby published in the 
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all 
persons. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reasons 
stated above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

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.
    We are 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

    We 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, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2018-16-51 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
19421; Docket No. FAA-2018-0834; Product Identifier 2018-SW-058-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model 429 helicopters, certificated in any 
category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a loose tail rotor (T/R) 
gearbox support attachment point. This condition could result in 
detachment of the T/R gearbox, loss of T/R control, and loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(c) Related ADs

    This AD requires the same actions as Emergency AD 2018-16-51, 
dated July 26, 2018, which superseded Emergency AD 2018-15-51, dated 
July 20, 2018.

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 6, 2018 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD 2018-16-51, issued on July 26, 2018, which contains the 
requirements of this AD.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight, inspect for looseness of the T/R 
gearbox installation to the T/R gearbox structural support by moving 
the T/R gearbox output shaft in an upward and downward direction. If 
the T/R gearbox installation is loose, before further flight, 
complete the actions required by paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (ii) of 
this AD.
    (2) Within 5 hours time-in-service, unless already completed as 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD:
    (i) Visually inspect the T/R gearbox retaining hardware and each 
support attachment point area for evidence of fretting, a crack, and 
incorrect installation. If there is any evidence of fretting, a 
crack, or incorrect installation, before further flight, repair in 
accordance with FAA-approved procedures.
    (ii) Inspect each T/R gearbox retaining nut by applying 160 in-
lbs (19 Nm) of torque. If the torque of a T/R gearbox retaining nut 
is below 160 in-lbs (19 Nm), before further flight:
    (A) Remove the T/R gearbox and inspect each stud for proper 
staking, each stud thread for uniformity, each mounting surface for 
evidence of fretting and cracking, and each mounting hole for 
elongation. If a stud is not properly staked, a stud thread is not 
uniform, a mounting surface has evidence of fretting or cracking, or 
a mount hole is elongated, before further flight, replace the 
affected parts or repair in accordance with FAA-approved procedures.
    (B) Replace each nut with nut part number NAS9926-6L and apply a 
torque of 160 in-lbs.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-18-40, dated July 6, 2018, 
which is not incorporated

[[Page 53174]]

by reference, contains additional information about the subject of 
this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Bell 
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, 
Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 
433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a 
copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD 
No. CF-2018-18, dated July 11, 2018. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2018-0834.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6520, Tail Rotor 
Gearbox.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 5, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-22414 Filed 10-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


