Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters, 35555-35557 [2020-12592]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 113 / Thursday, June 11, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin Number
SBA5X–23–03, dated February 7, 2020.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
(h) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
14 CFR Part 39
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Chicago 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 (j) of this
AD.
(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.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Joe Dubusky, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 E. Devon
Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847–294–
7543; fax: 847–294–7834; email:
joseph.dubusky@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
(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) Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin Number
SBA5X–23–03, dated February 7, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For the service information identified in
this AD, contact Cirrus Design Corporation,
Cirrus Design Corporation; 4515 Taylor
Circle Duluth, MN 55811; phone: (800) 279–
4322; email: info@cirrusaircraft.com;
internet: https://cirrusaircraft.com.
(4) You may view the referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch,
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (816) 329–4148.
(5) You may view the service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For more
information on the availability of this
material at NARA, email: fedreg.legal@
nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/
federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on May 28, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–12498 Filed 6–10–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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[Docket No. FAA–2018–0866; Product
Identifier 2018–SW–083–AD; Amendment
39–21145; AD 2020–12–10]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron
Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held
by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.)
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is superseding
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011–12–
08 for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
(Bell), Model 205A, 205A–1, 205B, 212,
412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. AD
2011–12–08 required a one-time
inspection of the tail rotor (T/R) blade
for corrosion and pitting. This new AD
retains the requirements of AD 2011–
12–08 while excluding certain T/R
blades from the applicability. This AD
was prompted by new manufacturing
and inspection procedures implemented
by Bell that correct the unsafe condition
on more recently manufactured T/R
blades. The actions of this AD are
intended to address an unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 16,
2020.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in this AD
as of July 5, 2011 (76 FR 35334, June 17,
2011).
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this final rule, contact Bell
Textron Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth,
TX 76101; telephone 817–280–3391; fax
817–280–6466; or at https://
www.bellcustomer.com. You may view
this referenced service information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy, Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX
76177. It is also available on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2018–0866.
SUMMARY:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA–2018–0866; 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, any service information that is
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incorporated by reference, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is Docket Operations,
U.S. Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management
Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817–222–5198; email
kuethe.harmon@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to remove AD 2011–12–08,
Amendment 39–16715 (76 FR 35334,
June 17, 2011) (‘‘AD 2011–12–08’’) and
add a new AD. AD 2011–12–08 applied
to Bell Model 205A, 205A–1, 205B, 212,
412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters with
a T/R blade, part number 212–010–750
(all dash numbers), all serial numbers
(S/Ns) except those with a prefix of ‘‘A’’
and the number 17061 or larger, and
required a one-time inspection of the T/
R blade for corrosion and pitting. The
NPRM published in the Federal
Register on April 11, 2019 (84 FR
14626). The NPRM proposed to retain
the requirements of AD 2011–12–08 but
remove blades with an S/N prefix of
‘‘BH’’ from the applicability. The
proposed actions were intended to
correct the unsafe conditions on these
products.
Since the FAA issued the NPRM, Bell
Helicopter Textron Inc., has changed its
name to Bell Textron Inc. This final rule
reflects that change and updates the
contact information to obtain service
documentation.
Comments
After the NPRM was published, the
FAA received comments from five
commenters, four from individuals and
one from the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA). The following
presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA’s response to each
comment.
Support for the NPRM
Two individual commenters
supported the NPRM.
Comments Requesting More
Information
EASA and an individual commenter
requested that the FAA provide more
information about the unsafe condition
and the related service information.
Request: One individual requested
details regarding the manufacturing
anomalies due to the chemical milling
process, how the process affected the
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 113 / Thursday, June 11, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
manufacturing of other parts, and what
manufacturing changes have been made
to ensure future problems do not
continue.
FAA Response: The FAA agrees to
provide additional information. AD
2011–12–08 was issued in 2011 to
address manufacturing anomalies in the
chemical milling process. Chem-milled
steps are applied to all tail rotor metal
blade spars. Pits in the spars were found
along the step of straight chem-mill
cuts. Gas bubbles were trapped on the
step of the cut, and this created pits
down the length of the step in the
radius. To address this, Bell advised its
supplier to better agitate the tanks,
change the wetting agent, or use vertical
racking instead of horizontal. In
addition to corrective actions taken by
the chem-mill supplier, Bell added
inspections for chem-mill defects upon
receipt of the spars. No problems have
recurred since the AD 2011–12–08 was
issued. This superseding AD does not
change any of the corrective actions
from AD 2011–12–08. This superseding
AD only excludes a newly
manufactured part that is not subject to
the unsafe condition identified in AD
2011–12–08.
Request: EASA requested the FAA
make the Bell service bulletins
referenced in the NPRM available for
review in the AD docket. EASA also
asked whether Bell will revise its
service bulletins to exclude blades with
the prefix ‘‘BH.’’
FAA Response: Because the Bell
service bulletins requested by EASA
were incorporated by reference in AD
2011–12–08, they are available on the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov
in AD Docket No. FAA–2011–0561. In
addition, they will be available in the
AD docket for this new AD, Docket No.
FAA–2018–0866. The FAA is unaware
of whether Bell will revise its service
bulletins.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
Request for the FAA To Inspect the
T/R Blades
One commenter disagreed with the
FAA’s proposal to supersede the AD by
removing T/R blades with an S/N with
a prefix of ‘‘BH’’ from the applicability.
The commenter stated that these blades
should still be inspected by the FAA.
FAA Response: The FAA has
determined that the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD does not apply to
T/R blades with an S/N with a prefix of
‘‘BH’’. Therefore, those blades have been
removed from the applicability. In
addition, neither AD 2011–12–08 nor
this superseding AD require operators to
have the T/R blades inspected by the
FAA. Instead, the T/R blades must be
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inspected using standard requirements
under 14 CFR parts 43 and 145.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA has reviewed the relevant
information and determined that an
unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other helicopters of
these same type designs and that air
safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as
proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA has reviewed the following
Bell Alert Service Bulletins, all Revision
A, and all dated December 8, 2009,
which specify a one-time inspection of
the T/R blades for corrosion or pitting,
and repairing or replacing the T/R blade
if corrosion, pitting, or other damage is
discovered:
• Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
205–09–102, for Model 205A and 205A–
1 helicopters;
• ASB No. 205B–09–54, for Model
205B helicopters;
• ASB No. 212–09–134, for Model
212 helicopters;
• ASB No. 412–09–136, for Model
412 and 412EP helicopters; and
• ASB No. 412CF–09–38, for Model
412CF helicopters.
This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties
have access to it through their normal
course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 384 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
The FAA estimates that operators may
incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD. Labor costs are
estimated at $85 per work-hour.
Inspecting a T/R blade takes about 10
work-hours and no parts for an
estimated cost of $850 per helicopter
and $326,400 for the U.S. fleet.
Repairing a T/R blade takes about 10
work-hours and parts cost $750 for an
estimated replacement cost of $1,600
per blade.
Replacing a T/R blade takes about 10
work-hours and parts cost $28,120 for
an estimated replacement cost of
$28,970 per blade.
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.
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The FAA is issuing this rulemaking
under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section
44701, General requirements. Under
that section, Congress charges the FAA
with promoting safe flight of civil
aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and
procedures the Administrator finds
necessary for safety in air commerce.
This regulation is within the scope of
that authority because it addresses an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has determined that this AD
will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD
will not have a substantial direct effect
on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
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
removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2011–12–08, Amendment 39-16715 (76
FR 35334, June 17, 2011), and adding
the following new AD:
■
2020–12–10 Bell Textron Inc. (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Bell
Helicopter Textron Inc.): Amendment
39–21145; Docket No. FAA–2018–0866;
Product Identifier 2018–SW–083–AD.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 113 / Thursday, June 11, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (Type
Certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter
Textron Inc.) Model 205A, 205A–1, 205B,
212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters,
certificated in any category, with a tail rotor
(T/R) blade part number 212–010–750 (all
dash numbers) installed, all serial numbers
(S/Ns) except:
(1) S/Ns with a prefix of ‘‘BH’’; or
(2) S/Ns with a prefix of ‘‘A’’ and a number
17061 or larger.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a
pit or corrosion in the forward spar of a T/
R blade. This condition could result in a
crack in the T/R blade, loss of the T/R blade,
and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
(c) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2011–12–08,
Amendment 39–16715 (76 FR 35334, June
17, 2011) (‘‘AD 2011–12–08’’).
(d) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective July 16, 2020.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
(e) 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.
(f) Required Actions
(1) Within 25 hours time-in-service or 30
days, whichever occurs first:
(i) Remove the T/R hub and blade assembly
from the helicopter and remove the T/R blade
from the hub. Remove the paint from the spar
area on both sides of the T/R blade by
following the Accomplishment Instructions,
paragraphs 3. through 5., of the following
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service
Bulletins, all Revision A, and all dated
December 8, 2009: Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. 205–09–102 for the Model 205A
and 205A–1 helicopters; ASB No. 205B–09–
54 for the Model 205B helicopters; ASB No.
212–09–134 for the Model 212 helicopters;
ASB No. 412CF–09–38 for the Model 412CF
helicopters; and ASB No. 412–09–136 for the
Model 412 and 412EP helicopters.
(ii) Using a 3-power or higher magnifying
glass, visually inspect both sides of the T/R
blade for any corrosion or pitting in the spar
inspection areas as depicted in Figure 1 of
the ASB for your model helicopter.
(2) Before further flight:
(i) If you find any corrosion or pitting that
is 0.003 inch deep or less, either replace the
T/R blade with an airworthy T/R blade or
repair the T/R blade.
(ii) If you find any corrosion or pitting that
is greater than 0.003 inch deep, replace the
T/R blade with an airworthy T/R blade.
(iii) If any parent material is removed
during the sanding operation required by
paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD, either replace
the T/R blade with an airworthy T/R blade,
or repair the T/R blade if the parent material
removed is within the maximum repair
damage limits.
(iv) If there is no corrosion or pitting and
no damage greater than 0.003 inch deep,
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refinish the inspection areas and reinstall
each T/R blade onto the T/R hub, install the
T/R assembly on the helicopter and track and
balance the T/R in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 8.
through 10., of the ASB for your model
helicopter.
(g) Credit for Previous Actions
Actions accomplished before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with AD 2011–
12–08 are acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions specified in paragraph
(f) of this AD.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, DSCO, FAA, may
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
proposal to: Kuethe Harmon, Safety
Management Program Manager, DSCO
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817–222–5198;
email 9-ASW-190-COS@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
that you notify your principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office, before
operating any aircraft complying with this
AD through an AMOC.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6410, Tail Rotor Blades.
(j) 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.
(3) The following service information was
approved for IBR on July 5, 2011 (76 FR
35334, June 17, 2011).
(i) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 205–09–102,
Revision A, dated December 8, 2009.
(ii) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No.
205B–09–54, Revision A, dated December 8,
2009.
(iii) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No.
212–09–134, Revision A, dated December 8,
2009.
(iv) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No.
412CF–09–38, Revision A, dated December 8,
2009.
(v) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No.
412–09–136, Revision A, dated December 8,
2009.
(4) For Bell Helicopter service information
identified in this AD, contact Bell Textron,
Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone 817–280–3391; fax 817–280–6466;
or at https://www.bellcustomer.com.
(5) You may view this service information
at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy,
Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 817–222–5110.
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35557
(6) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on June 5, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–12592 Filed 6–10–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[TD 9394]
RIN 1545–BD80
Special Rules To Reduce Section 1446
Withholding; Correcting Amendment
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Correcting amendments.
AGENCY:
This document contains
corrections to Treasury Decision 9394,
which was published in the Federal
Register on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.
Treasury Decision 9394 contained final
regulations regarding when a
partnership may consider certain
deductions and losses of a foreign
partner to reduce or eliminate the
partnership’s obligation to pay
withholding tax under section 1446 on
effectively connected taxable income
allocable under section 704 to such
partner.
SUMMARY:
These corrections are effective
on June 11, 2020, and applicable as of
April 29, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ronald M. Gootzeit at (202) 317–6937
(not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Background
The final regulations (TD 9394) that
are the subject of this correction are
under section 1446 of the Code.
Need for Correction
As published on April 29, 2008 (73
FR 23069), the final regulations (TD
9394; FR Doc. E8–9356) contained
errors that need to be corrected.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 113 (Thursday, June 11, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35555-35557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12592]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0866; Product Identifier 2018-SW-083-AD; Amendment
39-21145; AD 2020-12-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-12-08
for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (Bell), Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212,
412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters. AD 2011-12-08 required a one-time
inspection of the tail rotor (T/R) blade for corrosion and pitting.
This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2011-12-08 while excluding
certain T/R blades from the applicability. This AD was prompted by new
manufacturing and inspection procedures implemented by Bell that
correct the unsafe condition on more recently manufactured T/R blades.
The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 16, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 5, 2011
(76 FR 35334, June 17, 2011).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bell Textron Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone 817-280-3391; fax 817-280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also available
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0866.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2018-0866; 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, any service
information that is incorporated by reference, any comments received,
and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is
Docket Operations, U.S. Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management
Program Manager, DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817-222-5198; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to remove AD 2011-12-08, Amendment 39-16715 (76 FR 35334,
June 17, 2011) (``AD 2011-12-08'') and add a new AD. AD 2011-12-08
applied to Bell Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP
helicopters with a T/R blade, part number 212-010-750 (all dash
numbers), all serial numbers (S/Ns) except those with a prefix of ``A''
and the number 17061 or larger, and required a one-time inspection of
the T/R blade for corrosion and pitting. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on April 11, 2019 (84 FR 14626). The NPRM proposed to
retain the requirements of AD 2011-12-08 but remove blades with an S/N
prefix of ``BH'' from the applicability. The proposed actions were
intended to correct the unsafe conditions on these products.
Since the FAA issued the NPRM, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., has
changed its name to Bell Textron Inc. This final rule reflects that
change and updates the contact information to obtain service
documentation.
Comments
After the NPRM was published, the FAA received comments from five
commenters, four from individuals and one from the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Support for the NPRM
Two individual commenters supported the NPRM.
Comments Requesting More Information
EASA and an individual commenter requested that the FAA provide
more information about the unsafe condition and the related service
information.
Request: One individual requested details regarding the
manufacturing anomalies due to the chemical milling process, how the
process affected the
[[Page 35556]]
manufacturing of other parts, and what manufacturing changes have been
made to ensure future problems do not continue.
FAA Response: The FAA agrees to provide additional information. AD
2011-12-08 was issued in 2011 to address manufacturing anomalies in the
chemical milling process. Chem-milled steps are applied to all tail
rotor metal blade spars. Pits in the spars were found along the step of
straight chem-mill cuts. Gas bubbles were trapped on the step of the
cut, and this created pits down the length of the step in the radius.
To address this, Bell advised its supplier to better agitate the tanks,
change the wetting agent, or use vertical racking instead of
horizontal. In addition to corrective actions taken by the chem-mill
supplier, Bell added inspections for chem-mill defects upon receipt of
the spars. No problems have recurred since the AD 2011-12-08 was
issued. This superseding AD does not change any of the corrective
actions from AD 2011-12-08. This superseding AD only excludes a newly
manufactured part that is not subject to the unsafe condition
identified in AD 2011-12-08.
Request: EASA requested the FAA make the Bell service bulletins
referenced in the NPRM available for review in the AD docket. EASA also
asked whether Bell will revise its service bulletins to exclude blades
with the prefix ``BH.''
FAA Response: Because the Bell service bulletins requested by EASA
were incorporated by reference in AD 2011-12-08, they are available on
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in AD Docket No. FAA-2011-
0561. In addition, they will be available in the AD docket for this new
AD, Docket No. FAA-2018-0866. The FAA is unaware of whether Bell will
revise its service bulletins.
Request for the FAA To Inspect the T/R Blades
One commenter disagreed with the FAA's proposal to supersede the AD
by removing T/R blades with an S/N with a prefix of ``BH'' from the
applicability. The commenter stated that these blades should still be
inspected by the FAA.
FAA Response: The FAA has determined that the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD does not apply to T/R blades with an S/N with a
prefix of ``BH''. Therefore, those blades have been removed from the
applicability. In addition, neither AD 2011-12-08 nor this superseding
AD require operators to have the T/R blades inspected by the FAA.
Instead, the T/R blades must be inspected using standard requirements
under 14 CFR parts 43 and 145.
FAA's Determination
The FAA has reviewed the relevant information and determined that
an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of these same type designs and that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA has reviewed the following Bell Alert Service Bulletins,
all Revision A, and all dated December 8, 2009, which specify a one-
time inspection of the T/R blades for corrosion or pitting, and
repairing or replacing the T/R blade if corrosion, pitting, or other
damage is discovered:
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 205-09-102, for Model
205A and 205A-1 helicopters;
ASB No. 205B-09-54, for Model 205B helicopters;
ASB No. 212-09-134, for Model 212 helicopters;
ASB No. 412-09-136, for Model 412 and 412EP helicopters;
and
ASB No. 412CF-09-38, for Model 412CF helicopters.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 384 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85
per work-hour.
Inspecting a T/R blade takes about 10 work-hours and no parts for
an estimated cost of $850 per helicopter and $326,400 for the U.S.
fleet.
Repairing a T/R blade takes about 10 work-hours and parts cost $750
for an estimated replacement cost of $1,600 per blade.
Replacing a T/R blade takes about 10 work-hours and parts cost
$28,120 for an estimated replacement cost of $28,970 per blade.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2011-12-08, Amendment 39-16715 (76 FR 35334, June 17, 2011), and adding
the following new AD:
2020-12-10 Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.): Amendment 39-21145; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0866; Product Identifier 2018-SW-083-AD.
[[Page 35557]]
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate
previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 205A, 205A-1,
205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters, certificated in any
category, with a tail rotor (T/R) blade part number 212-010-750 (all
dash numbers) installed, all serial numbers (S/Ns) except:
(1) S/Ns with a prefix of ``BH''; or
(2) S/Ns with a prefix of ``A'' and a number 17061 or larger.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a pit or corrosion in
the forward spar of a T/R blade. This condition could result in a
crack in the T/R blade, loss of the T/R blade, and subsequent loss
of control of the helicopter.
(c) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2011-12-08, Amendment 39-16715 (76 FR 35334,
June 17, 2011) (``AD 2011-12-08'').
(d) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective July 16, 2020.
(e) 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.
(f) Required Actions
(1) Within 25 hours time-in-service or 30 days, whichever occurs
first:
(i) Remove the T/R hub and blade assembly from the helicopter
and remove the T/R blade from the hub. Remove the paint from the
spar area on both sides of the T/R blade by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3. through 5., of the
following Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletins, all
Revision A, and all dated December 8, 2009: Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) No. 205-09-102 for the Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters; ASB
No. 205B-09-54 for the Model 205B helicopters; ASB No. 212-09-134
for the Model 212 helicopters; ASB No. 412CF-09-38 for the Model
412CF helicopters; and ASB No. 412-09-136 for the Model 412 and
412EP helicopters.
(ii) Using a 3-power or higher magnifying glass, visually
inspect both sides of the T/R blade for any corrosion or pitting in
the spar inspection areas as depicted in Figure 1 of the ASB for
your model helicopter.
(2) Before further flight:
(i) If you find any corrosion or pitting that is 0.003 inch deep
or less, either replace the T/R blade with an airworthy T/R blade or
repair the T/R blade.
(ii) If you find any corrosion or pitting that is greater than
0.003 inch deep, replace the T/R blade with an airworthy T/R blade.
(iii) If any parent material is removed during the sanding
operation required by paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD, either replace
the T/R blade with an airworthy T/R blade, or repair the T/R blade
if the parent material removed is within the maximum repair damage
limits.
(iv) If there is no corrosion or pitting and no damage greater
than 0.003 inch deep, refinish the inspection areas and reinstall
each T/R blade onto the T/R hub, install the T/R assembly on the
helicopter and track and balance the T/R in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 8. through 10., of the ASB
for your model helicopter.
(g) Credit for Previous Actions
Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with AD 2011-12-08 are acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, DSCO, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send
your proposal to: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program Manager,
DSCO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone 817-222-5198; email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office
or certificate holding district office, before operating any
aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail Rotor
Blades.
(j) 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.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
July 5, 2011 (76 FR 35334, June 17, 2011).
(i) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. 205-09-102, Revision A, dated December 8, 2009.
(ii) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 205B-09-54, Revision
A, dated December 8, 2009.
(iii) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 212-09-134, Revision
A, dated December 8, 2009.
(iv) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 412CF-09-38, Revision
A, dated December 8, 2009.
(v) Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. ASB No. 412-09-136, Revision
A, dated December 8, 2009.
(4) For Bell Helicopter service information identified in this
AD, contact Bell Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101;
telephone 817-280-3391; fax 817-280-6466; or at https://www.bellcustomer.com.
(5) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 817-222-5110.
(6) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on June 5, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12592 Filed 6-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
