Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 34844-34846 [2017-15552]
Download as PDF
34844
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
rudder control cable replacement and the
aileron and rudder control cables were rigged
as specified in any applicable Bombardier
aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) revision
earlier than the revision date shown in
paragraphs (h)(2)(i) through (h)(2)(v) of this
AD or the AMM revision date is unknown:
Within 15 months after the effective date of
this AD.
(i) Bombardier GL 700 AMM, Revision 67,
dated August 6, 2015 (for Model BD–700–
1A10 airplanes).
(ii) Bombardier GL XRS AMM, Revision
45, dated August 6, 2015 (for Model BD–700–
1A10 airplanes).
(iii) Bombardier GL 6000 AMM, Revision
15, dated August 6, 2015 (for Model BD–700–
1A10 airplanes).
(iv) Bombardier GL 5000 AMM, Revision
48, August 6, 2015 (for Model BD–700–1A11
airplanes).
(v) Bombardier GL 5000 GVFD AMM,
Revision 15, August 6, 2015 (for Model BD–
700–1A11 airplanes).
(3) For airplanes other than those
identified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of
this AD: Within 30 months since the date of
issuance of the original Canadian
airworthiness certificate or the date of
issuance of the original Canadian export
certificate of airworthiness, or within 30 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
(i) No Alternative Actions and Intervals
Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this
AD, after the maintenance or inspection
program has been revised as required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be
used unless the actions or intervals are
approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, New York 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 manager of 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.
(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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:07 Jul 26, 2017
Jkt 241001
the DAO, the approval must include the
DAO-authorized signature.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian
AD CF–2016–06 R1, dated July 25, 2016, for
related information. This MCAI may be
found in the AD docket on the Internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2016–9304.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Cesar A. Gomez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch,
ANE–171, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 516–228–7318; fax 516–794–5531;
email: Cesar.Gomez@faa.gov.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Temporary Revision (TR) 5–2–10, dated
November 24, 2015, to Section 5–10–40, of
Bombardier Global Express XRS BD–700
Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.
(ii) TR 5–2–15, dated November 24, 2015,
to Section 5–10–40, of Bombardier Global
6000 GL 6000 Time Limits/Maintenance
Checks.
(iii) TR 5–2–15, dated November 24, 2015,
to Section 5–10–40, of Bombardier Global
5000 GL 5000 Featuring Global Vision Flight
Deck—Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.
(iv) TR 5–2–16, dated November 24, 2015,
to Section 5–10–40, of Bombardier Global
5000 BD–700 Time Limits/Maintenance
Checks.
(v) TR 5–2–47, dated November 24, 2015,
to Section 5–10–40, of Bombardier Global
Express BD–700 Time Limits/Maintenance
Checks.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(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, call
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29,
2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–14589 Filed 7–26–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0174; Directorate
Identifier 2014–SW–059–AD; Amendment
39–18973; AD 2017–15–13]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
(Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD
requires reducing the life limit of certain
landing gear parts and is prompted by
a stress analysis. The actions of this AD
are intended to address an unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 31,
2017.
ADDRESSES: 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/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.
SUMMARY:
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–2017–
0174; 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 AD, the Transport Canada
AD, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for the
Docket Operations Office (phone: 800–
647–5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations
Office, M–30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM
27JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
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:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Discussion
On March 7, 2017, at 82 FR 12753, the
Federal Register published our notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which
proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
adding an AD that would apply to Bell
Model 429 helicopters. The NPRM
proposed to require reducing the life
limit of certain landing gear parts by
requiring the removal from service of
any part that has reached or exceeded
its new life limit before further flight.
The proposed requirements were
intended to prevent failure of a landing
gear part, failure of a landing gear skid,
and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter during takeoff or landing.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No.
CF–2014–28, dated August 19, 2014,
issued by Transport Canada, which is
the aviation authority for Canada, to
correct an unsafe condition for Bell
Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers
57001 and subsequent. Transport
Canada advises that Bell has reduced
the life limits of several landing gear
components and accordingly revised the
airworthiness limitations schedule for
Model 429 helicopters. The reduced life
limits resulted from a stress analysis
completed by Bell after the introduction
of the Model 429 helicopter to service.
While the reduced life limits were
originally published in Revision 9 of the
Bell Model 429 maintenance manual,
Transport Canada AD No. CF–2014–28
requires inserting the new airworthiness
limitations schedule in Revision 10 of
the Bell Model 429 maintenance
manual. Transport Canada states that
failure to replace those components
prior to the established airworthiness
life could result in an unsafe condition.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD, but
we did not receive any comments on the
NPRM.
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 its AD. We are issuing this
AD because we evaluated all
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:07 Jul 26, 2017
Jkt 241001
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 and that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Model 429
Maintenance Manual BHT–429–MM–1,
Chapter 4, Airworthiness Limitations
Schedule, Revision 9, dated January 6,
2012, which specifies airworthiness life
limits and inspection intervals for parts
installed on Model 429 helicopters.
Revision 9 reduced the life limits for the
skid tube assemblies, forward crosstube
assembly, and aft crosstube assembly.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 71
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 per
work-hour. Calculating the life limit
will take about 0.25 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $21 per helicopter and
$1,491 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing a
skid tube assembly will take about 2
work-hours and parts will cost about
$7,050 for an estimated replacement
cost of $7,220. Replacing a forward
cross tube assembly will take about 1.5
work-hours and parts will cost about
$5,880 for an estimated replacement
cost of $6,008. Replacing an aft tube
assembly will take about 1.5 work-hours
and parts will cost $6,710 for an
estimated replacement cost of $6,838.
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
helicopters identified in this rulemaking
action.
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
34845
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) 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
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):
■
2017–15–13 Bell Helicopter Textron
Canada Limited: Amendment 39–18973;
Docket No. FAA–2017–0174; Directorate
Identifier 2014–SW–059–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron
Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a
landing gear part remaining in service
beyond its fatigue life. This condition could
result in failure of a landing gear part, failure
of a landing gear skid, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter during takeoff or
landing.
E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM
27JYR1
34846
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 31,
2017.
(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
Before further flight, determine the
accumulated retirement index number (RIN)
for each part and remove it from service if
it has reached or exceeded its life limit as
follows. Thereafter, remove each part from
service on or before reaching its life limit. For
purposes of this AD, a run-on landing is
defined as a landing with forward ground
travel of the helicopter greater than 3 feet
(0.91 m) with weight on skids.
(1) For Skid Tube Assembly part number
(P/N) 429–700–101, 429–700–102, and 429–
030–586–107: 16,000 RIN. Count 1 RIN for
each landing; count 81 RIN for each run-on
landing; and count 117 RIN for each
autorotation landing.
(2) For Forward Crosstube Assembly P/N
429–712–101: 10,000 RIN. Count 1 RIN for
each landing; count 50 RIN for each run-on
landing; and count 118 RIN for each
autorotation landing.
(3) Aft Crosstube Assembly P/N 429–723–
108: 30,000 RIN. Count 1 RIN for each
landing; count 32 RIN for each run-on
landing; and count 186 RIN for each
autorotation landing.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
(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
(1) Bell 429 Maintenance Manual BHT–
429–MM–1, Volume 1, Chapter 4, Revision 9,
dated January 6, 2012, which is not
incorporated 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 https://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–2014–28, dated
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:07 Jul 26, 2017
Jkt 241001
August 19, 2014. You may view the
Transport Canada AD on the Internet at
https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA–2017–0174.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 3200, Landing Gear System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 18,
2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–15552 Filed 7–26–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0395; Directorate
Identifier 2017–CE–011–AD; Amendment
39–18966; AD 2017–15–06]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model
HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series
200 and 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201
airplanes that would supersede AD 97–
10–05. This AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by an aviation authority
of another country to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes
the unsafe condition as cracks in the
main landing gear (MLG) fitting at the
pintle to cylinder interface, which could
cause failure of the MLG during takeoff
and landing. We are issuing this AD to
require actions to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 31,
2017.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in the AD
as of August 31, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–
0395; or in person at Document
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
For the British Aerospace Jetstream
Series 3100 and 3200 service
information identified in this AD,
contact BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd,
Business Support Team—Technical
Publications, Prestwick International
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland,
United Kingdom; phone: +44 1292
675207; fax: +44 1292 675704; email:
RApublications@baesystems.com;
Internet: https://www.regionalservices.com/spares_and_support/
support/aircraft-technical-publications/.
For the Heroux Devtek service
information identified in this AD,
contact Heroux Devtek Product Support,
Unit 1, Pembroke Court, Chancellor
Road, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire,
WA7 1TG, England; phone: +44 01928
530530; fax: +44 01928 579454; email:
technical_support@herouxdevtek.com;
Internet: https://www.herouxdevtek.com/
aog-product-support. You may view this
referenced service information at the
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329–
4148. It is also available on the Internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA–2017–
0395.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–
4059; fax: (816) 329–4090; email:
doug.rudolph@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to British Aerospace Regional
Aircraft Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1,
Jetstream Series 200 and 3101, and
Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. The
NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on April 28, 2017 (82 FR
19646), and proposed to supersede AD
97–10–05, Amendment 39–10017 (62
FR 28318; May 23, 1997). The NPRM
proposed to correct an unsafe condition
for the specified products and was
based on mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of
another country. The MCAI states:
Cracks were found during early fatigue
testing and in service on the main landing
gear (MLG) main fitting at the pintle to
cylinder interface.
This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could lead to structural failure of
E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM
27JYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 143 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34844-34846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15552]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0174; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-059-AD;
Amendment 39-18973; AD 2017-15-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD
requires reducing the life limit of certain landing gear parts and is
prompted by a stress analysis. The actions of this AD are intended to
address an unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 31, 2017.
ADDRESSES: 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/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.
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-2017-
0174; 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 AD, the Transport Canada AD, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
[[Page 34845]]
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:
Discussion
On March 7, 2017, at 82 FR 12753, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Model 429
helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require reducing the life limit of
certain landing gear parts by requiring the removal from service of any
part that has reached or exceeded its new life limit before further
flight. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent failure of a
landing gear part, failure of a landing gear skid, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter during takeoff or landing.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. CF-2014-28, dated August 19, 2014,
issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada,
to correct an unsafe condition for Bell Model 429 helicopters, serial
numbers 57001 and subsequent. Transport Canada advises that Bell has
reduced the life limits of several landing gear components and
accordingly revised the airworthiness limitations schedule for Model
429 helicopters. The reduced life limits resulted from a stress
analysis completed by Bell after the introduction of the Model 429
helicopter to service. While the reduced life limits were originally
published in Revision 9 of the Bell Model 429 maintenance manual,
Transport Canada AD No. CF-2014-28 requires inserting the new
airworthiness limitations schedule in Revision 10 of the Bell Model 429
maintenance manual. Transport Canada states that failure to replace
those components prior to the established airworthiness life could
result in an unsafe condition.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.
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
its 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 and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Model 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, Chapter
4, Airworthiness Limitations Schedule, Revision 9, dated January 6,
2012, which specifies airworthiness life limits and inspection
intervals for parts installed on Model 429 helicopters. Revision 9
reduced the life limits for the skid tube assemblies, forward crosstube
assembly, and aft crosstube assembly.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 71 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 per work-hour.
Calculating the life limit will take about 0.25 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $21 per helicopter and $1,491 for the U.S. fleet.
Replacing a skid tube assembly will take about 2 work-hours and parts
will cost about $7,050 for an estimated replacement cost of $7,220.
Replacing a forward cross tube assembly will take about 1.5 work-hours
and parts will cost about $5,880 for an estimated replacement cost of
$6,008. Replacing an aft tube assembly will take about 1.5 work-hours
and parts will cost $6,710 for an estimated replacement cost of $6,838.
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 helicopters 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) 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):
2017-15-13 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Amendment 39-
18973; Docket No. FAA-2017-0174; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-059-
AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model
429 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a landing gear part
remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could
result in failure of a landing gear part, failure of a landing gear
skid, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter during
takeoff or landing.
[[Page 34846]]
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 31, 2017.
(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
Before further flight, determine the accumulated retirement
index number (RIN) for each part and remove it from service if it
has reached or exceeded its life limit as follows. Thereafter,
remove each part from service on or before reaching its life limit.
For purposes of this AD, a run-on landing is defined as a landing
with forward ground travel of the helicopter greater than 3 feet
(0.91 m) with weight on skids.
(1) For Skid Tube Assembly part number (P/N) 429-700-101, 429-
700-102, and 429-030-586-107: 16,000 RIN. Count 1 RIN for each
landing; count 81 RIN for each run-on landing; and count 117 RIN for
each autorotation landing.
(2) For Forward Crosstube Assembly P/N 429-712-101: 10,000 RIN.
Count 1 RIN for each landing; count 50 RIN for each run-on landing;
and count 118 RIN for each autorotation landing.
(3) Aft Crosstube Assembly P/N 429-723-108: 30,000 RIN. Count 1
RIN for each landing; count 32 RIN for each run-on landing; and
count 186 RIN for each autorotation landing.
(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 429 Maintenance Manual BHT-429-MM-1, Volume 1, Chapter
4, Revision 9, dated January 6, 2012, which is not incorporated 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 https://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-2014-28, dated August 19, 2014. You may view the Transport
Canada AD on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket
No. FAA-2017-0174.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3200, Landing Gear
System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 18, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-15552 Filed 7-26-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P