Rule2022-08797
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 26, 2022
Effective
May 31, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-11-05 for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2019-11-05 required inspecting the tail rotor (TR) pitch link assemblies, and replacing certain pitch link bearings. This AD was prompted by a report of a worn pitch link, and the FAA's determination that all TR pitch link assemblies are affected by the unsafe condition. This AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2019-11-05, and revises the applicability and requires inspections of certain other TR pitch link assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24401-24404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08797]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0145; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00522-R;
Amendment 39-22027; AD 2022-09-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited)
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-11-05
for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron
Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2019-11-05 required
inspecting the tail rotor (TR) pitch link assemblies, and replacing
certain pitch link bearings. This AD was prompted by a report of a worn
pitch link, and the FAA's determination that all TR pitch link
assemblies are affected by the unsafe condition. This AD continues to
require the actions specified in AD 2019-11-05, and revises the
applicability and requires inspections of certain other TR pitch link
assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 31, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 31,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eb9b99848f9e889f989e9b9b84999fab898e87878d87828c839fc5888486"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6616140902130512151316160914122604030a0a000a0f010e124805090b">[email protected]</span></a>; or at <a href="https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support">https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support</a>. You may view this service
information 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0145.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0145; 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, the
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; phone: (202) 267-9167;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#573f363b793d32392432391731363679303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7afa6abe9ada2a9b4a2a987a1a6a6e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-11-05, Amendment 39-19651 (84 FR
26546, June 7, 2019) (AD 2019-11-05). AD 2019-11-05 applied to certain
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on February 23, 2022 (87 FR 10107).
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require inspecting the TR
pitch link assemblies, and replacing certain pitch link bearings, as
well as proposed to revise the applicability and require inspections of
certain other TR pitch link assemblies. The NPRM was prompted by TCCA
AD CF-2015-16R3, dated April 30, 2021 (TCCA AD CF-
[[Page 24402]]
2015-16R3), issued by TCCA, which is the aviation authority for Canada,
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bell Helicopter Textron
Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. TCCA AD CF-2015-16R3 retains the
requirements of TCCA AD CF-2015-16R2, dated April 3, 2017, and revises
the applicability by specifying certain helicopter serial numbers to
account for new production helicopters, which have already incorporated
the new pitch link assemblies and corrected the unsafe condition. TCCA
AD CF-2015-16R3 also specifies that installing a new pitch link
assembly terminates the repetitive inspections. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in pitch link failure and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
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, TCCA, its technical
representative, has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described
in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air
safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters.
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in
the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 429-15-16,
Revision C, dated October 16, 2020. This service information contains
procedures for inspecting the TR pitch link assemblies, replacing
certain pitch link bearings, and replacement of the pitch link
assemblies. 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 120 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.
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Retained inspections from AD 2019- 2 work-hours x $85 $0 $170 per inspection $20,400 per
11-05. per hour = $170 cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
New inspections.................. 2 work-hours x $85 0 $170 per inspection $20,400 per
per hour = $170 cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacements that would be required based on the results of
any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bearing replacements.................. 3 work-hours x $85 per $3,340 $3,343 $401,160
hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected
operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the
cost estimate.
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:
[[Page 24403]]
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-11-05, Amendment 39-19651
(84 FR 26546, June 7, 2019); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2022-09-07 Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously
Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited): Amendment 39-22027;
Docket No. FAA-2022-0145; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00522-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 31, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
(1) This AD replaces AD 2019-11-05, Amendment 39-19651 (84 FR
26546, June 7, 2019) (AD 2019-11-05).
(2) This AD affects AD 2020-17-10, Amendment 39-21215 (85 FR
49941, August 17, 2020) (AD 2020-17-10).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate
previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429
helicopters, certificated in any category, serial numbers 57001
through 57401 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor
Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a worn pitch link. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address a worn pitch link, which if not
corrected, could result in pitch link failure and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Requirements
(1) For pitch link assembly part number (P/N) 429-012-112-101,
429-012-112-103, 429-012-112-101FM, and 429-012-112-103FM: Within 50
hours time-in-service (TIS) after July 12, 2019 (the effective date
of AD 2019-11-05) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours
TIS:
(i) Perform a dimensional inspection of each inboard and
outboard pitch link assembly for axial and radial bearing play. With
a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect the bearing liner
for a crack, deterioration of the liner, and extrusion of the liner
from the plane. If there is axial or radial play that exceeds
allowable limits, or if there is a crack, deterioration of the
liner, or extrusion of the liner, before further flight, replace the
bearing.
(ii) Inspect the pitch link assembly sealant for pin holes and
voids and to determine if the sealant thickness is 0.025 inch (0.64
mm) or less, extends over the roll staked lip by 0.030 inch (0.76
mm) or more, and is clear of the bearing ball. If there is a pin
hole or void, or if the sealant exceeds 0.026 inch (0.66 mm), does
not extend over the roll staked lip by 0.030 inch (0.76 mm) or more,
or is not clear of the bearing ball, before further flight, replace
the bearing.
(2) For pitch link assembly P/N 429-012-112-101, 429-012-112-
103, 429-012-112-101FM, and 429-012-112-103FM, within 200 hours TIS
following the initial inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, or if the hours TIS of a pitch link assembly exceed 250
hours TIS or are unknown, at the next 50-hour-TIS inspection
required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD:
(i) Replace each bearing P/N 429-312-107-103 with a date of
manufacture before January 13, 2015, with a bearing P/N 429-312-107-
103 that was manufactured on or after January 13, 2015.
(ii) Using a white permanent fine point marker or equivalent,
re-identify the pitch link assembly:
(A) Re-identify P/N 429-012-112-101 and 429-012-112-101FM as
429-012-112-111FM.
(B) Re-identify P/N 429-012-112-103 and 429-012-112-103FM as
429-012-112-113FM.
(iii) Apply a coating of DEVCON 2-TON (C-298) or equivalent over
the new P/N.
(h) New Requirements
For pitch link assemblies other than P/N 429-012-112-101, 429-
012-112-103, 429-012-112-101FM, and 429-012-112-103FM: Within 50
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS:
(1) Perform a dimensional inspection of each inboard and
outboard pitch link assembly for axial and radial bearing play. With
a 10x or higher power magnifying glass, inspect the bearing liner
for a crack, deterioration of the liner, and extrusion of the liner
from the plane. If there is axial or radial play that exceeds
allowable limits, or if there is a crack, deterioration of the
liner, or extrusion of the liner, before further flight, replace the
bearing.
(2) Inspect the pitch link assembly sealant for pin holes and
voids and to determine if the sealant thickness is 0.025 inch (0.64
mm) or less, extends over the roll staked lip by 0.030 inch (0.76
mm) or more, and is clear of the bearing ball. If there is a pin
hole or void, or if the sealant exceeds 0.026 inch (0.66 mm), does
not extend over the roll staked lip by 0.030 inch (0.76 mm) or more,
or is not clear of the bearing ball, before further flight, replace
the bearing.
(i) Terminating Action for Certain Actions in AD 2020-17-10
Accomplishing the initial inspection required by paragraph
(g)(1) or (h) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the
inspections required by paragraph (f)(2) of AD 2020-17-10 for that
pitch link assembly only.
(j) Optional Terminating Action
The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD
are no longer required for helicopters that incorporate pitch link
assemblies, P/N 429-012-212-105 or 429-012-212-107, in accordance
with Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bell Alert
Service Bulletin No. 429-15-16, Revision C, dated October 16, 2020.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#af9682eef9fc82eee6fd82989c9f82eee2e0ecefc9cece81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e37234f585d234f475c23393d3e234f43414d4e686f6f20696178">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Hal Jensen,
Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC
20024; phone: (202) 267-9167; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f29a939edc98979c81979cb2949393dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="254d44490b4f404b56404b654344440b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
Civil Aviation AD CF-2015-16R3, dated April 30, 2021. You may view
the Transport Canada AD at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> in Docket No.
FAA-2022-0145.
(m) 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 No. 429-15-16, Revision C, dated
October 16, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#19696b767d6c7a6d6a6c6969766b6d597b7c75757f75707e716d377a7674"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91e1e3fef5e4f2e5e2e4e1e1fee3e5d1f3f4fdfdf7fdf8f6f9e5bff2fefc">[email protected]</span></a>; or at <a href="https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support">https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support</a>.
(4) You may view this service information 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.
(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,
[[Page 24404]]
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b7d69357275686b7e786f7274755b757a697a357c746d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f495d0146415c5f4a4c5b4640416f414e5d4e01484059">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on April 15, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-08797 Filed 4-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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