Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Helicopters, 44207-44209 [2018-18735]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
the effective date of this AD: Conduct the
inspection within 72 months after the most
recent inspection.
(ii) For airplanes that have not been
inspected as specified in 28–AWL–22 as of
the effective date of this AD: Conduct the
inspection within 12 months after the
effective date of this AD.
(6) For AWL No. 28–AWL–24, ‘‘Motor
Operated Valve Bonding Jumper
Installation—Fault Current Protection’’: At
the applicable time specified in paragraph
(g)(6)(i) or (g)(6)(ii) of this AD.
(i) For airplanes that have been previously
inspected as specified in 28–AWL–24 as of
the effective date of this AD: Conduct the
inspection within 60 months after the most
recent inspection.
(ii) For airplanes that have not been
inspected as specified in 28–AWL–24 as of
the effective date of this AD: Conduct the
inspection within 12 months after the
effective date of this AD.
(h) Additional Acceptable Wire Types and
Sleeving
As an option, when accomplishing the
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
the changes specified in paragraphs (h)(1)
and (h)(2) of this AD can be made to AWL
No. 28–AWL–03.
(1) Where AWL No. 28–AWL–03 identifies
wire types BMS 13–48, BMS 13–58, and BMS
13–60, add the following acceptable wire
types: MIL–W–22759/16, SAE AS22759/16
(M22759/16), MIL–W–22759/32, SAE
AS22759/32 (M22759/32), MIL–W–22759/34,
SAE AS22759/34 (M22759/34), MIL–W–
22759/41, SAE AS22759/41 (M22759/41),
MIL–W–22759/86, SAE AS22759/86
(M22759/86), MIL–W–22759/87, SAE
AS22759/87 (M22759/87), MIL–W–22759/92
and SAE AS22759/92 (M22759/92); and
MIL–C–27500 and NEMA WC 27500 cables
constructed from these military or SAE
specification wire types identified above.
(2) Where AWL No. 28–AWL–03 identifies
TFE–2X Standard wall for wire sleeving, add
the following acceptable sleeving materials:
Roundit 2000NX and Varglas Type HO, HP,
or HM.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and
Critical Design Configuration Control
Limitations (CDCCLs)
After the maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, has been revised as
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no
alternative actions (e.g., inspections),
intervals, and CDCCLs may be used unless
the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs are
approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC), in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this
AD.
(j) Terminating Actions
Accomplishment of the maintenance or
inspection program revision required by
paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the
actions specified in paragraphs (j)(1) through
(j)(5) of this AD.
(1) The revision required by paragraph (g)
of AD 2008–04–10 R1.
(2) The revision required by paragraph (h)
of AD 2009–05–03.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Aug 29, 2018
Jkt 244001
(3) The revision required by paragraph (j)
of AD 2011–12–05.
(4) The revision required by paragraph (h)
of AD 2013–22–03.
(5) The revision required by paragraphs
(n)(1) and (n)(2) of AD 2013–24–15.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO 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
certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (l) of this
AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(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.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair,
modification, or alteration required by this
AD if it is approved by the Boeing
Commercial Airplanes Organization
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has
been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO
Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be
approved, the repair method, modification
deviation, or alteration deviation must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Christopher Baker, Aerospace
Engineer, Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle
ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–
3552; email: christopher.r.baker@faa.gov.
(m) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing 727–100/200 Airworthiness
Limitations (AWLs) D6–8766–AWL, Revision
December 2016.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd.,
MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600;
telephone 562–797–1717; internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
(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
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
44207
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on
August 17, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–18664 Filed 8–29–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0036; Product
Identifier 2017–SW–015–AD; Amendment
39–19354; AD 2018–16–14]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell
Helicopter Textron Inc., Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell) Model
212, Model 412, and Model 412EP
helicopters. This AD requires replacing
the emergency flotation system (EFS)
tube assembly. This AD was prompted
by a report of an EFS tube assembly
failure. The actions of this AD are
intended to address an unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 4,
2018.
SUMMARY:
For service information
identified in this final rule, contact Bell
Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482,
Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone (817)
280–3391; fax (817) 280–6466; or at
https://www.bellcustomer.com/files/.
You may review a copy of the
referenced service information at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX
76177.
ADDRESSES:
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–2018–
0036; 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
economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations
(phone: 800–647–5527) is U.S.
E:\FR\FM\30AUR1.SGM
30AUR1
44208
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
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: Rory
Rieger, Aviation Safety Engineer, DSCO
Branch, AIR–7J0, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222–5193; email rory.rieger@
faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On January 26, 2018, at 83 FR 3630,
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 212, Model 412, and
Model 412EP helicopters with a certain
EFS tube assembly installed. The NPRM
proposed to require, within 300 hours
time-in-service (TIS), replacing any EFS
tube assembly part number (P/N) 412–
073–820–101 with an unknown
manufacture date or that was
manufactured before July 28, 2016. The
NPRM also proposed to prohibit
installing on any helicopter an EFS tube
assembly P/N 412–073–820–101 that
was manufactured before July 28, 2016
or that has an unknown manufacture
date.
The NPRM was prompted by a report
from Bell that an EFS tube assembly
separated from the valve during a 2-year
inflation test. A subsequent
investigation found that excessive
sleeve preset force during
manufacturing caused cracks in the
sleeve of the tube assembly, which may
result in the EFS float failing to deploy.
Bell determined that only those EFS
tube assemblies with P/N 412–073–820–
101 that were shipped prior to July 28,
2016, were subject to this manufacturing
defect. Bell states that because this
manufacturing defect is difficult to
detect, affected EFS tube assemblies in
service must be replaced. The affected
parts were associated with a single Bell
supplier that is no longer manufacturing
the tube assembly.
Comments
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
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
We have reviewed the relevant
information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other products of
these same type designs and that air
safety and the public interest require
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Aug 29, 2018
Jkt 244001
adopting the AD requirements as
proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) 212–11–143 for Bell
Model 212 helicopters, and ASB 412–
11–147 for Bell Model 412 and 412EP
helicopters, both Revision C and dated
December 22, 2016. Each ASB describes
and illustrates procedures to replace the
tube assembly within 600 flight hours or
by March 31, 2017.
Differences Between This AD and the
Service Information
The service information requires
compliance within 600 flight hours or
by March 31, 2017; this AD requires
compliance within 300 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
250 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators will incur
the following costs in order to comply
with this AD. At an average labor rate
of $85 per hour, replacing a tube
assembly will require about 6 workhours and required parts will cost
$4,902, for a total cost of $5,412 per
helicopter and $1,353,000 for the U.S.
fleet.
According to Bell’s service
information, some of the costs of this
AD may be covered under warranty,
thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control
warranty coverage by Bell. Accordingly,
we have included all costs in our 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.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701:
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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):
■
2018–16–14 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.:
Amendment 39–19354; Docket No.
FAA–2018–0036; Product Identifier
2017–SW–015–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron
Inc. Model 212, Model 412, and Model 412EP
helicopters, certificated in any category, with
an emergency flotation system (EFS) tube
assembly part number (P/N) 412–073–820–
101 with a date of manufacture before July
28, 2016, or an unknown date of manufacture
installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a
crack on an EFS tube assembly. This
condition could result in failure of the
E:\FR\FM\30AUR1.SGM
30AUR1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
emergency floats to inflate during an
emergency water landing.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 4, 2018.
(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 300 hours time-in-service:
(i) Remove the EFS tube assembly from
service.
(ii) Lubricate the shoulder of the sleeves,
threads, and seat of each mating fitting with
anti-seize compound.
(iii) Install an EFS tube assembly not listed
in paragraph (a) of this AD.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install an EFS tube assembly listed in
paragraph (a) of this AD on any helicopter.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
proposal to: Rory Rieger, Aviation Safety
Engineer, DSCO Branch, AIR–7J0, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222–5193; email
rory.rieger@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
Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletins
212–11–143 and 412–11–147, both Revision
C and dated December 22, 2016, which are
not incorporated by reference, contain
additional information about the subject of
this AD. For service information identified in
this AD, contact Bell Helicopter Textron,
Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone (817) 280–3391; fax (817) 280–
6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com/
files/. You may review a copy of information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
(h) Subject
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 3212 Emergency Flotation Section.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:35 Aug 29, 2018
Jkt 244001
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0300; Product
Identifier 2017–NM–134–AD; Amendment
39–19375; AD 2018–17–21]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, and
A320 series airplanes; and Model A321–
111, –112, –131, –211, –212, –213, –231,
–232, –251N, –253N, and –271N
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a
revision of an airworthiness limitations
document that specifies more restrictive
maintenance requirements and
airworthiness limitations. This AD
requires revising the maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate revised fuel airworthiness
limitations. We are issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these
products.
SUMMARY:
This AD is effective October 4,
2018.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of October 4, 2018.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this final rule, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office—
EIAS, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No:
2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France;
telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 44 51; email account.airwortheas@airbus.com; internet https://
www.airbus.com. You may view this
service information at the FAA,
Transport Standards Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
It is also available on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
0300.
DATES:
Examining the AD Docket
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 3,
2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–18735 Filed 8–29–18; 8:45 am]
14 CFR Part 39
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
0300; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
44209
The AD docket contains this final rule,
the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket
Operations (phone: 800–647–5527) is
Docket Operations, 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:
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
telephone and fax 206–231–3223.
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 certain Airbus SAS Model
A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes;
and Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211,
–212, –213, –231, –232, –251N, –253N,
and –271N airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
April 27, 2018 (83 FR 18485). The
NPRM was prompted by a revision of an
airworthiness limitations document that
specifies more restrictive maintenance
requirements and airworthiness
limitations. The NPRM proposed to
require revising the maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate revised fuel airworthiness
limitations.
We are issuing this AD to address the
potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss
of the airplane.
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD 2017–0169,
dated September 7, 2017 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the
MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319,
and A320 series airplanes; and Model
A321–111, –112, –131, –211, –212,
–213, –231, –232, –251N, –253N, and
–271N airplanes. The MCAI states:
The Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL)
for Airbus A320 family aeroplanes, which are
approved by EASA, are currently defined and
published in the Airbus A318/A319/A320/
A321 Airworthiness Limitations Section
(ALS) Part 5 document. These instructions
have been identified as mandatory for
continued airworthiness. Failure to
accomplish these instructions could result in
a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of
the aeroplane.
E:\FR\FM\30AUR1.SGM
30AUR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44207-44209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18735]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0036; Product Identifier 2017-SW-015-AD; Amendment
39-19354; AD 2018-16-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.,
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell
Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 212, Model 412, and Model 412EP
helicopters. This AD requires replacing the emergency flotation system
(EFS) tube assembly. This AD was prompted by a report of an EFS tube
assembly failure. The actions of this AD are intended to address an
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 4, 2018.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX
76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of 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-2018-
0036; 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 economic evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is U.S.
[[Page 44208]]
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: Rory Rieger, Aviation Safety Engineer,
DSCO Branch, AIR-7J0, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222-5193; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On January 26, 2018, at 83 FR 3630, 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 212, Model
412, and Model 412EP helicopters with a certain EFS tube assembly
installed. The NPRM proposed to require, within 300 hours time-in-
service (TIS), replacing any EFS tube assembly part number (P/N) 412-
073-820-101 with an unknown manufacture date or that was manufactured
before July 28, 2016. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing on
any helicopter an EFS tube assembly P/N 412-073-820-101 that was
manufactured before July 28, 2016 or that has an unknown manufacture
date.
The NPRM was prompted by a report from Bell that an EFS tube
assembly separated from the valve during a 2-year inflation test. A
subsequent investigation found that excessive sleeve preset force
during manufacturing caused cracks in the sleeve of the tube assembly,
which may result in the EFS float failing to deploy. Bell determined
that only those EFS tube assemblies with P/N 412-073-820-101 that were
shipped prior to July 28, 2016, were subject to this manufacturing
defect. Bell states that because this manufacturing defect is difficult
to detect, affected EFS tube assemblies in service must be replaced.
The affected parts were associated with a single Bell supplier that is
no longer manufacturing the tube assembly.
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
We have reviewed the relevant information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
products of these same type designs and that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 212-11-143 for Bell
Model 212 helicopters, and ASB 412-11-147 for Bell Model 412 and 412EP
helicopters, both Revision C and dated December 22, 2016. Each ASB
describes and illustrates procedures to replace the tube assembly
within 600 flight hours or by March 31, 2017.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
The service information requires compliance within 600 flight hours
or by March 31, 2017; this AD requires compliance within 300 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 250 helicopters of U.S.
Registry.
We estimate that operators will incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour,
replacing a tube assembly will require about 6 work-hours and required
parts will cost $4,902, for a total cost of $5,412 per helicopter and
$1,353,000 for the U.S. fleet.
According to Bell's service information, some of the costs of this
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by Bell.
Accordingly, we have included all costs in our 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.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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):
2018-16-14 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.: Amendment 39-19354; Docket
No. FAA-2018-0036; Product Identifier 2017-SW-015-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Model 212, Model
412, and Model 412EP helicopters, certificated in any category, with
an emergency flotation system (EFS) tube assembly part number (P/N)
412-073-820-101 with a date of manufacture before July 28, 2016, or
an unknown date of manufacture installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack on an EFS tube
assembly. This condition could result in failure of the
[[Page 44209]]
emergency floats to inflate during an emergency water landing.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 4, 2018.
(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 300 hours time-in-service:
(i) Remove the EFS tube assembly from service.
(ii) Lubricate the shoulder of the sleeves, threads, and seat of
each mating fitting with anti-seize compound.
(iii) Install an EFS tube assembly not listed in paragraph (a)
of this AD.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an EFS
tube assembly listed in paragraph (a) of this AD on any helicopter.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Rory Rieger, Aviation Safety Engineer,
DSCO Branch, AIR-7J0, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5193; email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletins 212-11-143 and 412-11-
147, both Revision C and dated December 22, 2016, which are not
incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the
subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD,
contact Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX
76101; telephone (817) 280-3391; fax (817) 280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212 Emergency
Flotation Section.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 3, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18735 Filed 8-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
