[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 51 (Monday, March 16, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14786-14789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05244]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0221; Product Identifier 2019-SW-042-AD; Amendment 
39-19862; AD 2020-04-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 14787]]

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell Canada) Model 429 
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting a certain part-numbered curvic 
coupling for proper engagement and depending on the inspection results, 
inspecting for play, inspecting the curvic coupling teeth, inspecting 
the flapping bearing teeth, replacing parts, performing a rigging 
check, and reporting information. This AD was prompted by a report of 
disengaged teeth of a curvic coupling due to improper installation. The 
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 31, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of March 31, 2020.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by May 15, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0221; 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, any service information that is 
incorporated by reference, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
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 https://www.bellcustomer.com. 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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0221.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
kristin.bradley@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and the FAA did not provide you with notice and an opportunity 
to provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, the 
FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. The FAA also invites 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. The FAA will file in the docket all comments 
received, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. The FAA will consider all the comments received and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Emergency AD No. CF-2019-15, dated April 26, 2019, to correct an 
unsafe condition for Bell Canada Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers 
57001 through 57363. Transport Canada advises of a report of an 
improperly installed curvic coupling part number (P/N) 429-012-120-101. 
This was discovered during installation of the tail rotor (T/R) hub and 
blade assembly when the teeth of the curvic coupling rested on top of 
each other instead of meshing together. Transport Canada further 
advises that this condition may result in loosening of the T/R assembly 
and subsequent vibration and loss of drive to the outboard T/R blades, 
which will result in degraded directional control. Therefore, the 
Transport Canada Emergency AD requires inspecting the T/R and 
correcting any defective conditions, as well as reporting any anomalies 
to Bell Canada.

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 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its 
technical representative, has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the Transport Canada AD. The FAA is issuing this AD 
because it has 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 designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-45, dated April 16, 
2019, for Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers 57001 through 57343, 
57346 through 57349, 57352 through 57356, and 57362. This service 
information specifies inspecting the inboard and outboard curvic 
coupling teeth for proper engagement; inspecting for axial play between 
the inboard and outboard hub and blade assemblies; inspecting for play 
between the curvic coupling teeth and both inboard and outboard 
flapping bearing teeth; inspecting the curvic coupling teeth for 
damage; inspecting the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth for 
damage; installing a serviceable T/R hub and blade assembly; performing 
a rigging check of the directional control system; and reporting any 
anomalies to Bell Canada.
    This service information 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires inspecting the curvic coupling teeth for proper 
engagement with the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth within 
10 hours time-in-service (TIS).
    If the teeth are not properly engaged, this AD requires removing 
the T/R hub and blade assembly and inspecting the curvic coupling teeth 
and the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth for a crack, wear, 
mechanical damage, and corrosion. Depending on the inspection results, 
this AD requires replacing parts. Then, with the T/R hub and blade 
assembly installed, this AD requires

[[Page 14788]]

performing a rigging check of the directional control system.
    If the teeth are properly engaged, this AD requires inspecting for 
axial play between both the inboard and outboard T/R hub and blade 
assemblies. If there is axial play, this AD requires performing the 
inspections for a crack, wear, mechanical damage, and corrosion. If 
there is no axial play, this AD requires inspecting for play between 
the teeth of the curvic coupling and both the inboard and outboard 
flapping bearing teeth, and if play exists, this AD requires performing 
the inspections for a crack, wear, mechanical damage, and corrosion.
    Lastly, this AD requires emailing information about the inspection 
results that resulted in the replacement of parts to Bell Canada.

Differences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD

    The Transport Canada Emergency AD requires reporting information 
within 3 days after the completion of the inspection, whereas this AD 
allows a compliance time of up to 10 days after completion of the 
inspection instead. This AD applies to fewer serial numbered Model 429 
helicopters, listed in the applicability section, than the Transport 
Canada Emergency AD because certain serial numbered helicopters will 
have complied with the intent of this AD prior to delivery.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 88 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Inspecting the curvic coupling teeth and the flapping bearing teeth 
for proper engagement requires about 0.5 work-hours for an estimated 
cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,784 for the U.S. fleet.
    If required, removing and installing the T/R hub and blade assembly 
to inspect the curvic coupling teeth and the inboard and outboard 
flapping bearing teeth for a crack, wear, mechanical damage, and 
corrosion requires about 0.5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $43 
per helicopter.
    Replacing a curvic coupling requires about 0.5 work-hours and parts 
cost about $4,141 for an estimated cost of $4,184 per curvic coupling.
    Replacing a flapping bearing requires about 0.5 work-hours and 
parts cost about $19,948 for an estimated cost of $19,991 per flapping 
bearing.
    If required, reporting information takes about 1 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.) 
authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for 
rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that those procedures 
are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' 
Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a 
final rule without seeking comment prior to the rulemaking.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the unsafe condition requires corrective action within 10 hours 
TIS. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
impracticable and contrary to public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the reasons stated above, the FAA finds 
that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) 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.
    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 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, and
    2. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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.

[[Page 14789]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2020-04-21 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
19862; Docket No. FAA-2020-0221; Product Identifier 2019-SW-042-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 
429 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a serial number 
57001 through 57343 inclusive, 57346 through 57349 inclusive, 57352 
through 57356 inclusive, and 57362, with a curvic coupling part 
number 429-012-120-101 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an improperly installed 
curvic coupling of the tail rotor (T/R) hub and blade assembly. This 
condition could result in loosening of the T/R assembly, which could 
cause vibration and loss of drive to the outboard T/R blades, and 
subsequent degraded directional control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 31, 2020.

 (d) 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.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 10 hours time-in-service, using a light source, flap 
the inboard and outboard T/R blades to inspect for proper engagement 
of the inboard and outboard curvic coupling teeth with the inboard 
and outboard flapping bearing teeth as shown in Figure 2 of Bell 
Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-45, dated April 16, 2019 (ASB 429-19-
45).
    (i) If the teeth are not properly engaged, before further 
flight, remove the T/R hub and blade assembly and do the following:

    Note to paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this AD:  Figure 1 of ASB 429-19-
45 shows an example of improperly engaged teeth.

    (A) Inspect the inboard flapping bearing teeth and the curvic 
coupling teeth that mate to them for a crack, wear, mechanical 
damage, and corrosion. If there is a crack, wear, mechanical damage, 
or corrosion on the teeth, before further flight, replace with an 
airworthy part.
    (B) Inspect the outboard flapping bearing teeth and the curvic 
coupling teeth that mate to them for a crack, wear, mechanical 
damage, and corrosion. If there is a crack, or wear, mechanical 
damage, or corrosion on the teeth, before further flight, replace 
with an airworthy part.
    (C) With the T/R hub and blade assembly installed, perform a 
rigging check of the directional control system.
    (ii) If the teeth are properly engaged, before further flight, 
inspect for axial play between both the inboard and outboard T/R hub 
and blade assemblies.
    (A) If there is axial play, remove the T/R hub and blade 
assembly, and perform the actions required by paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) 
through (C) of this AD.
    (B) If there is no axial play, inspect for play between the 
teeth of the curvic coupling and both the inboard and outboard 
flapping bearing teeth by applying a lead/lag force to the inboard 
and outboard T/R hub and blade assemblies. If there is play, remove 
the T/R hub and blade assembly, and perform the actions required by 
paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) through (C) of this AD.
    (2) Within 10 days after an inspection that resulted in 
replacing any part as required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, email 
a description of the inspection results that includes a description 
of each replaced part to: productsupport@bellflight.com. Include the 
following information in the email subject line: ``ASB 429-19-45,'' 
the helicopter's serial number, and the operator's name.

(f) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this 
collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding 
this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of 
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

(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: 
Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, Safety Management Section, 
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or sunder 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 
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

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the Transport Canada 
Emergency AD No. CF-2019-15, dated April 26, 2019. You may view the 
Transport Canada Emergency AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0221.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor 
System.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-45, dated April 16, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Bell 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 https://www.bellcustomer.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on March 6, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-05244 Filed 3-13-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


