Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Helicopters, 28766-28768 [2016-10860]
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28766
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2016 / Proposed Rules
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 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. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska; 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.
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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
■
Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2016–
6414; Directorate Identifier 2015–NM–
175–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 24,
2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:20 May 09, 2016
Jkt 238001
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model
CL–600–2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial
numbers 7003 and subsequent.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 34, Navigation.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by two in-service
incidents of a loss of all air data information
in the flight deck. We are issuing this AD to
prevent loss of control when a loss of all air
data information has occurred in the flight
deck.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Airplane Flight Manual Revision
Within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD, revise the emergency procedures
section of the airplane flight manual (AFM)
by incorporating Section 03–19, Unreliable
Airspeed, Revision 63, dated February 13,
2015, of Chapter 3, Emergency Procedures, in
the Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet
Model CL–600–2B19 Airplane Flight Manual
CSP A–012, Revision 64B, dated December 8,
2015.
(h) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), ANE–170, 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 ACO, send it to ATTN:
Program Manager, Continuing Operational
Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 516–228–7300; fax 516–794–5531.
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. The AMOC
approval letter must specifically reference
this AD.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain corrective
actions from a manufacturer, the action must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, New York ACO, ANE–170,
FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation
(TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.’s TCCA Design
Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by
the DAO, the approval must include the
DAO-authorized signature.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian
Airworthiness Directive CF–2015–12, dated
June 23, 2015, for related information. This
MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–
2016–6414.
(2) For service information identified in
ˆ
this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Cote´
Vertu Road West, Dorval, Quebec H4S 1Y9,
Canada; telephone 514–855–5000; fax 514–
855–7401; email thd.crj@
aero.bombardier.com; Internet https://
www.bombardier.com. You may view this
service information at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
425–227–1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 28,
2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–10732 Filed 5–9–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2016–6551; Directorate
Identifier 2013–SW–070–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell
Helicopter Textron Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model
430 helicopters. This proposed AD
would require establishing a life limit
for a certain main rotor hub attachment
bolt (bolt) and removing from service
each bolt that has met or exceeded its
life limit. This proposed AD is
prompted by a documentation error that
omitted the life limit of a certain partnumbered bolt from the Airworthiness
Limitations section of the maintenance
manual. The proposed actions are
intended to establish a life limit for a
certain part-numbered bolt to prevent
failure of a bolt, failure of a main rotor
hub, and subsequent loss of control of
a helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 11, 2016.
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
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\10MYP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2016 / Proposed Rules
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–2016–
6551; or in person at the Docket
Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations
Office (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 proposed 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/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 Group, Rotorcraft
Directorate, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222–5110; email matthew.fuller@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Comments Invited
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 might result
from adopting the proposals in this
document. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, 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 only one time.
We will file in the docket all
comments that we receive, as well as a
report summarizing each substantive
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:20 May 09, 2016
Jkt 238001
public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking.
Before acting on this proposal, we will
consider all comments we receive on or
before the closing date for comments.
We will consider comments filed after
the comment period has closed if it is
possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. We may change this
proposal in light of the comments we
receive.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the
aviation authority for Canada, has
issued AD No. CF–2013–26, dated
September 24, 2013, to correct an unsafe
condition for certain serial-numbered
Bell Model 430 helicopters. Transport
Canada advises that bolt part number
(P/N) MS21250–08083, which replaced
bolt P/N 20–065–08083 in 2009, has a
retirement life of 5,000 hours. However,
the retirement life for the replacement
bolt was inadvertently omitted from the
limitations section of the Bell 430
maintenance manual. Transport Canada
advises that this situation, if not
corrected, could result in failure of a
bolt and loss of control of the helicopter.
Transport Canada AD No. CF–2013–26
requires reviewing the helicopter
records to determine if bolt P/N
MS21250–08083 is installed, creating a
historical service record, and
establishing an airworthiness life of
5,000 hours air time.
FAA’s Determination
This helicopter has been approved by
the aviation authority of Canada and is
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 its AD. We are proposing
this AD because we evaluated all known
relevant information and determined
that an unsafe condition is likely to
exist or develop on other products of the
same type design.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert
Service Bulletin 430–12–47, dated
November 14, 2012 (ASB). The ASB
states that original bolt P/N 20–065–
08083 has a retirement life of 5,000
hours but has been replaced by standard
bolt P/N MS21250–08083, which does
not have a life limit listed in the
maintenance manual. The purpose of
the ASB is to establish a life limit of
5,000 hours for the replacement bolt.
Bell specifies reviewing the aircraft
records back to January 2009 to
determine which part-numbered bolts
are installed. If a replacement bolt P/N
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
28767
MS21250–08083 is installed, the ASB
specifies using data from aircraft records
to create a historical service record for
the replacement bolts and reflecting the
5,000 hours life limit. The ASB also
specifies updating the Bell 430
maintenance manual.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require
within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS),
revising the Airworthiness Limitations
section of the applicable maintenance
manual or Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA) by establishing a
life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for each
bolt P/N MS21250–08083. This
proposed AD would also require
determining the number of hours TIS for
each bolt and using the helicopter’s
hours if the hours TIS of a bolt is
unknown. This proposed AD would also
require removing from service each bolt
that has reached or exceeded its life
limit.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the Transport Canada AD
The proposed AD would require
compliance within 10 hours TIS, while
the Transport Canada AD requires
compliance within 60 days.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 43 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators
may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. At an average
labor cost of $85 per work-hour, we
estimate reviewing and revising the
records would require 1 work-hour for
a cost of about $85 per helicopter and
$3,655 for the U.S. fleet. We estimate
replacing a bolt that has exceeded its
life limit would require 0.5 work-hour
plus $290 for a replacement bolt, for a
total cost of $333 per bolt.
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
E:\FR\FM\10MYP1.SGM
10MYP1
28768
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 90 / Tuesday, May 10, 2016 / Proposed Rules
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 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, I certify
this proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
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 proposed 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.
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.
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
■
Bell Helicopter Textron: Docket No. FAA–
2016–6551; Directorate Identifier 2013–
SW–070–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model 430 helicopters,
serial number 49001 through 49129, with a
main rotor head attachment bolt (bolt) part
number MS21250–08083 installed,
certificated in any category.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:20 May 09, 2016
Jkt 238001
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a
bolt remaining in service beyond its fatigue
life. This condition could result in failure of
a bolt, failure of the main rotor hub and
subsequent loss of control of a helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 11,
2016.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6220 Main Rotor Head.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 27,
2016.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–10860 Filed 5–9–16; 8:45 am]
(d) Compliance
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
(e) Required Actions
Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(1) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations
section of the applicable maintenance
manual or Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a life limit
of 5,000 hours TIS for each bolt P/N
MS21250–08083.
(2) Determine the number of hours TIS for
each bolt and update the helicopter’s
historical records. If the hours TIS is
unknown, calculate the number of hours TIS
by counting the helicopter’s hours TIS
beginning January 1, 2009.
(3) Remove from service each bolt that has
reached or exceeded its life limit.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller,
Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety
Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(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.
(g) Additional Information
■
§ 39.13
(b) Unsafe Condition
(1) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin
430–12–47, dated November 14, 2012, which
is not incorporated by reference, contains
additional information about the subject of
this proposed rule. For service information
identified in this proposed 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/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.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
Transport Canada AD No. CF–2013–26, dated
September 24, 2013. You may view the
Transport Canada AD on the Internet at
https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2016–6415; Directorate
Identifier 2015–NM–178–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier,
Inc. Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL–600–2C10
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702)
airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by two in-service incidents of
a loss of all air data information in the
flight deck. This proposed AD would
require a revision of the airplane flight
manual (AFM) emergency procedures
section to provide procedures to guide
the crew on how to stabilize the
airplane airspeed and attitude for
continued safe flight when a loss of all
air data information has occurred in the
flight deck. We are proposing this AD to
prevent loss of control when a loss of all
air data information has occurred in the
flight deck.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by June 24, 2016.
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.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\10MYP1.SGM
10MYP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28766-28768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10860]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-6551; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-070-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 430 helicopters. This
proposed AD would require establishing a life limit for a certain main
rotor hub attachment bolt (bolt) and removing from service each bolt
that has met or exceeded its life limit. This proposed AD is prompted
by a documentation error that omitted the life limit of a certain part-
numbered bolt from the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
maintenance manual. The proposed actions are intended to establish a
life limit for a certain part-numbered bolt to prevent failure of a
bolt, failure of a main rotor hub, and subsequent loss of control of a
helicopter.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 11, 2016.
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
[[Page 28767]]
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-2016-
6551; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations Office (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 proposed 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/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 Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
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 might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued AD No. CF-2013-26, dated September 24, 2013, to correct an
unsafe condition for certain serial-numbered Bell Model 430
helicopters. Transport Canada advises that bolt part number (P/N)
MS21250-08083, which replaced bolt P/N 20-065-08083 in 2009, has a
retirement life of 5,000 hours. However, the retirement life for the
replacement bolt was inadvertently omitted from the limitations section
of the Bell 430 maintenance manual. Transport Canada advises that this
situation, if not corrected, could result in failure of a bolt and loss
of control of the helicopter. Transport Canada AD No. CF-2013-26
requires reviewing the helicopter records to determine if bolt P/N
MS21250-08083 is installed, creating a historical service record, and
establishing an airworthiness life of 5,000 hours air time.
FAA's Determination
This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of
Canada and is 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
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 430-12-47, dated
November 14, 2012 (ASB). The ASB states that original bolt P/N 20-065-
08083 has a retirement life of 5,000 hours but has been replaced by
standard bolt P/N MS21250-08083, which does not have a life limit
listed in the maintenance manual. The purpose of the ASB is to
establish a life limit of 5,000 hours for the replacement bolt. Bell
specifies reviewing the aircraft records back to January 2009 to
determine which part-numbered bolts are installed. If a replacement
bolt P/N MS21250-08083 is installed, the ASB specifies using data from
aircraft records to create a historical service record for the
replacement bolts and reflecting the 5,000 hours life limit. The ASB
also specifies updating the Bell 430 maintenance manual.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require within 10 hours time-in-service
(TIS), revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable
maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by
establishing a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for each bolt P/N MS21250-
08083. This proposed AD would also require determining the number of
hours TIS for each bolt and using the helicopter's hours if the hours
TIS of a bolt is unknown. This proposed AD would also require removing
from service each bolt that has reached or exceeded its life limit.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Transport Canada AD
The proposed AD would require compliance within 10 hours TIS, while
the Transport Canada AD requires compliance within 60 days.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 43 helicopters of
U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs
in order to comply with this AD. At an average labor cost of $85 per
work-hour, we estimate reviewing and revising the records would require
1 work-hour for a cost of about $85 per helicopter and $3,655 for the
U.S. fleet. We estimate replacing a bolt that has exceeded its life
limit would require 0.5 work-hour plus $290 for a replacement bolt, for
a total cost of $333 per bolt.
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
[[Page 28768]]
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 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, I certify this proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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.
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
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):
Bell Helicopter Textron: Docket No. FAA-2016-6551; Directorate
Identifier 2013-SW-070-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model 430 helicopters, serial number 49001
through 49129, with a main rotor head attachment bolt (bolt) part
number MS21250-08083 installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a bolt remaining in
service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could result in
failure of a bolt, failure of the main rotor hub and subsequent loss
of control of a helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 11, 2016.
(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
Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(1) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
applicable maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for
each bolt P/N MS21250-08083.
(2) Determine the number of hours TIS for each bolt and update
the helicopter's historical records. If the hours TIS is unknown,
calculate the number of hours TIS by counting the helicopter's hours
TIS beginning January 1, 2009.
(3) Remove from service each bolt that has reached or exceeded
its life limit.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate,
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 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.
(g) Additional Information
(1) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 430-12-47, dated
November 14, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference, contains
additional information about the subject of this proposed rule. For
service information identified in this proposed 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/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.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD
No. CF-2013-26, dated September 24, 2013. You may view the Transport
Canada AD on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD
Docket.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor
Head.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 27, 2016.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10860 Filed 5-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P