Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters, 30824-30826 [2021-12038]

Download as PDF 30824 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 110 / Thursday, June 10, 2021 / Proposed Rules (g) Required Actions DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Before further flight after the effective date of this AD: (1) Determine the total hours time-inservice (TIS) and total number of landings of tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152. For purposes of this AD, a landing is counted anytime a helicopter lifts off into the air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown. If the total hours TIS and total number of landings cannot be determined, before further flight, remove the part from service. (2) Remove any part from service that has reached or exceeded its life limit as follows. Thereafter, remove any part from service on or before reaching its life limit as follows. Tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152: 14,600 total hours TIS or 57,300 total landings, whichever occurs first. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@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. (i) Related Information khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email kristin.bradley@faa.gov. (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018–0087, dated April 18, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA–2021–0455. Issued on June 3, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021–12039 Filed 6–9–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Jun 09, 2021 Jkt 253001 Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2021–0454; Project Identifier AD–2021–00006–RRIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) (Bell) Model 205B helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a notification of certain parts needing a life limit. This proposed AD would require determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of certain part numbered main rotor grip assemblies (grip assemblies), establishing a life limit for certain partnumbered grip assemblies, removing from service any grip assembly that has reached or exceeded its retirement life, creating a component history card, and removing any grip assembly from service before reaching its retirement life. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing certain grip assemblies unless the life limit was established in accordance with this proposed AD. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 26, 2021. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUMMARY: Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0454; or in person at Docket PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program Manager, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222– 5198; email Kuethe.harmon@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2021–0454; Project Identifier AD– 2021–00006–R’’ at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program Manager, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 110 / Thursday, June 10, 2021 / Proposed Rules Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5198; email Kuethe.harmon@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The FAA received notification from Bell of established life limits for certain part numbered grip assemblies that were not included in Chapter 4— Airworthiness Limitations Schedule (ALS) of Bell Helicopter 205B Maintenance Manual BHT–205B–MM– 1, Revision 1, dated July 15, 1993. Bell states the life limit of 9,000 hours TIS for grip assembly part number (P/N) 204–011–121–005, P/N 204–011–121– 113, and P/N 204–011–121–005 was left out of the ALS for Model 205B helicopters. Bell states this may suggest that these part numbers have an unlimited life when installed on Model 205B helicopters, whereas the retirement life is 9,000 hours TIS. This condition, if not addressed, could result in fatigue and failure of the grip assembly and loss of control of the helicopter. Accordingly, Bell specifies updating the existing ALS to establish a life limit of 9,000 hours TIS for grip assembly P/N 204–011–121–005, P/N 204–011– 121–113, and P/N 204–011–121–005. FAA’s Determination The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Jun 09, 2021 Jkt 253001 Costs of Compliance List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 2 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 workhour. Determining the total hours TIS of each grip assembly and updating the helicopter records would take about 1 work-hour for each grip assembly, for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $170 for the U.S fleet. Replacing each grip assembly would take about 16 work-hours and parts would cost about $50,000 for an estimated cost of $51,360 per grip assembly. Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency’s authority. The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings This proposed AD would require, before further flight, determining the total hours TIS of certain part-numbered grip assemblies and removing from service any certain part-numbered grip assembly that has accumulated or exceeded 9,000 total hours TIS. This proposed AD would also require, for certain part-numbered grip assemblies that have not accumulated or exceeded 9,000 total hours TIS, creating a component history card or equivalent record to annotate a life limit of 9,000 total hours TIS and removing these grip assemblies from service before accumulating 9,000 total hours TIS. Finally, this NPRM would prohibit installing any affected grip assembly that has exceeded or accumulated 9,000 hours TIS, and prohibit alternative life limits for any affected grip assembly. 30825 The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. § 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: ■ Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.): Docket No. FAA–2021– 0454; Project Identifier AD–2021–00006– R. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by July 26, 2021. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) (Bell) Model 205B helicopters, certificated in any category, with main rotor grip assembly (grip assembly) part number (P/N) 204–011–121–005, P/N 204–011–121– 113, or P/N 204–011–121–117 installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor Head. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a notification of certain parts needing a life limit. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a grip assembly remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in fatigue and failure of the grip assembly and loss of helicopter control. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, determine the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of any grip assembly having P/N 204–011–121–005, P/N 204–011– 121–113, or P/N 204–011–121–117. Remove from service any grip assembly that has accumulated or exceeded 9,000 total hours TIS. For each grip assembly that has accumulated less than 9,000 total hours TIS, do the following: E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1 30826 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 110 / Thursday, June 10, 2021 / Proposed Rules (i) Create a component history card or equivalent record to establish a life limit of 9,000 total hours TIS. (ii) Thereafter, remove from service any grip assembly before it accumulates 9,000 total hours TIS. (2) Thereafter, no alternative life limits may be approved for any grip assembly P/N 204–011–121–005, P/N 204–011–121–113, or P/N 204–011–121–117. (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any grip assembly having P/N 204–011–121–005, P/N 204–011–121–113, or P/N 204–011–121–117 on any Model 205B helicopter unless the life limit is established in accordance with this AD. (h) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, DSCO 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 DSCO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ASW-190-COS@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. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program Manager, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5198; email Kuethe.harmon@faa.gov. Issued on June 3, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021–12038 Filed 6–9–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 27 CFR Parts 478 and 479 [Docket No. ATF 2021R–08; AG Order No. 5070–2021] khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS RIN 1140–AA55 Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached ‘‘Stabilizing Braces’’ Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comment. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Jun 09, 2021 Jkt 253001 The Department of Justice (‘‘Department’’) proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) regulations to clarify when a rifle is ‘‘intended to be fired from the shoulder.’’ The Department proposes factors ATF considers when evaluating firearms equipped with a purported ‘‘stabilizing brace’’ to determine whether these weapons would be considered a ‘‘rifle’’ or ‘‘short-barreled rifle’’ under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (‘‘GCA’’) or a ‘‘rifle’’ or ‘‘firearm’’ subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act (‘‘NFA’’). This proposed rule is a separate action from the Notice on the Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with ‘‘Stabilizing Braces’’ published on December 18, 2020, and withdrawn on December 31, 2020. No comments received under the withdrawn notice were considered for this proposed rule, and no comments received pursuant to that notice will be considered as part of this proposed rule. Commenters will need to submit new comments in connection with this proposed rule. DATES: Written comments must be postmarked, and electronic comments must be submitted on or before September 8, 2021. Commenters should be aware that the electronic Federal Docket Management System will not accept comments after Midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period. SUMMARY: You may submit comments, identified by docket number ATF 2021R–08, by any of the following methods— • Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Denise Brown, Mail Stop 6N– 518, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 99 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20226; ATTN: ATF 2021R–08. • Fax: (202) 648–9741. Instructions: All submissions received should include the agency name and docket number (ATF 2021R–08) for this notice of proposed rulemaking. All properly completed comments received will be posted without change to the Federal eRulemaking portal, www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Brown, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Enforcement Programs and Services, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Department of Justice, 99 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20226; telephone: (202) 648–7070 (this is not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the GCA, as amended, and the NFA, as amended.1 This includes the authority to promulgate regulations necessary to enforce the provisions of the GCA and NFA. See 18 U.S.C. 926(a); 26 U.S.C. 7801(a)(2)(A)(ii), 7805(a). The Attorney General has delegated the responsibility for administering and enforcing the GCA and NFA to the Director of ATF, subject to the direction of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General. See 28 CFR 0.130(a)(1)–(2). Accordingly, the Attorney General and ATF have promulgated regulations implementing both the GCA and the NFA. See 27 CFR parts 478, 479. The ATF Director delegated the authority to classify firearms pursuant to the GCA and NFA to ATF’s Firearms Technology Criminal Branch (‘‘FTCB’’) and the Firearms Technology Industry Services Branch (‘‘FTISB’’), within the Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division (‘‘FATD’’), Office of Enforcement Programs and Services (‘‘EPS’’).2 FATD supports the firearms industry and the general public by, among other things, responding to technical inquiries and by testing and evaluating firearms voluntarily submitted to ATF for classification under the GCA or NFA. There is no requirement that the firearms industry or the public submit firearms to ATF for evaluation of the firearm’s proper classification under Federal law. The statutory definitions of ‘‘firearm’’ under the GCA and the NFA are different.3 In 1934, Congress passed the NFA in order to regulate certain 1 NFA provisions still refer to the ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury.’’ However, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107–296, 116 Stat. 2135, transferred the functions of ATF from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice, under the general authority of the Attorney General. 26 U.S.C. 7801(a)(2); 28 U.S.C. 599A(c)(1). Thus, for ease of reference, this notice of proposed rulemaking refers to the Attorney General throughout. 2 Delegation of Authorities within the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Delegation Order 1100.168C (Nov. 5, 2018). 3 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) (GCA definition of firearm); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a) (NFA definition of firearm). E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM 10JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 110 (Thursday, June 10, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30824-30826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12038]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0454; Project Identifier AD-2021-00006-RRIN 2120-
AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously held by Bell 
Helicopter Textron Inc.) (Bell) Model 205B helicopters. This proposed 
AD was prompted by a notification of certain parts needing a life 
limit. This proposed AD would require determining the total hours time-
in-service (TIS) of certain part numbered main rotor grip assemblies 
(grip assemblies), establishing a life limit for certain part-numbered 
grip assemblies, removing from service any grip assembly that has 
reached or exceeded its retirement life, creating a component history 
card, and removing any grip assembly from service before reaching its 
retirement life. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing 
certain grip assemblies unless the life limit was established in 
accordance with this proposed AD. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 26, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0454; 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 NPRM, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management 
Program Manager, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5198; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0454; Project Identifier 
AD-2021-00006-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management Program Manager, DSCO Branch, 
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101

[[Page 30825]]

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5198; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA received notification from Bell of established life limits 
for certain part numbered grip assemblies that were not included in 
Chapter 4--Airworthiness Limitations Schedule (ALS) of Bell Helicopter 
205B Maintenance Manual BHT-205B-MM-1, Revision 1, dated July 15, 1993. 
Bell states the life limit of 9,000 hours TIS for grip assembly part 
number (P/N) 204-011-121-005, P/N 204-011-121-113, and P/N 204-011-121-
005 was left out of the ALS for Model 205B helicopters. Bell states 
this may suggest that these part numbers have an unlimited life when 
installed on Model 205B helicopters, whereas the retirement life is 
9,000 hours TIS. This condition, if not addressed, could result in 
fatigue and failure of the grip assembly and loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    Accordingly, Bell specifies updating the existing ALS to establish 
a life limit of 9,000 hours TIS for grip assembly P/N 204-011-121-005, 
P/N 204-011-121-113, and P/N 204-011-121-005.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require, before further flight, determining 
the total hours TIS of certain part-numbered grip assemblies and 
removing from service any certain part-numbered grip assembly that has 
accumulated or exceeded 9,000 total hours TIS. This proposed AD would 
also require, for certain part-numbered grip assemblies that have not 
accumulated or exceeded 9,000 total hours TIS, creating a component 
history card or equivalent record to annotate a life limit of 9,000 
total hours TIS and removing these grip assemblies from service before 
accumulating 9,000 total hours TIS. Finally, this NPRM would prohibit 
installing any affected grip assembly that has exceeded or accumulated 
9,000 hours TIS, and prohibit alternative life limits for any affected 
grip assembly.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 2 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.
    Determining the total hours TIS of each grip assembly and updating 
the helicopter records would take about 1 work-hour for each grip 
assembly, for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $170 for the 
U.S fleet.
    Replacing each grip assembly would take about 16 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $50,000 for an estimated cost of $51,360 per 
grip assembly.

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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:

Bell Textron Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell 
Helicopter Textron Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2021-0454; Project 
Identifier AD-2021-00006-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by July 26, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate 
previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) (Bell) Model 205B 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with main rotor grip 
assembly (grip assembly) part number (P/N) 204-011-121-005, P/N 204-
011-121-113, or P/N 204-011-121-117 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor 
Head.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a notification of certain parts needing 
a life limit. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a grip assembly 
remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in fatigue and failure of the grip 
assembly and loss of helicopter control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
determine the total hours time-in-service (TIS) of any grip assembly 
having P/N 204-011-121-005, P/N 204-011-121-113, or P/N 204-011-121-
117. Remove from service any grip assembly that has accumulated or 
exceeded 9,000 total hours TIS. For each grip assembly that has 
accumulated less than 9,000 total hours TIS, do the following:

[[Page 30826]]

    (i) Create a component history card or equivalent record to 
establish a life limit of 9,000 total hours TIS.
    (ii) Thereafter, remove from service any grip assembly before it 
accumulates 9,000 total hours TIS.
    (2) Thereafter, no alternative life limits may be approved for 
any grip assembly P/N 204-011-121-005, P/N 204-011-121-113, or P/N 
204-011-121-117.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any grip 
assembly having P/N 204-011-121-005, P/N 204-011-121-113, or P/N 
204-011-121-117 on any Model 205B helicopter unless the life limit 
is established in accordance with this AD.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, DSCO 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 
DSCO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (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 Kuethe Harmon, 
Safety Management Program Manager, DSCO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5198; email [email protected].

    Issued on June 3, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12038 Filed 6-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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