Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters, 35692-35695 [2021-14400]
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35692
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 127 / Wednesday, July 7, 2021 / Proposed Rules
FAA is issuing this AD to address spurious
degradation or unavailability of the full
AFCS. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in temporary
impairment of the automated flight aid for
control of the helicopter and increase the
flightcrew’s workload.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD: Comply with all required actions and
compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Aviation Safety
Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018–0002, dated
January 4, 2018 (EASA AD 2018–0002).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018–0002
(1) Where EASA AD 2018–0002 refers to
flight hours (FH), this AD requires using
hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2018–0002 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(3) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD
2018–0002 does not apply to this AD.
(4) Where the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2018–0002 specifies
to download an option file from a certain
website, that method of installation is not
required by this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2018–0002 specifies
to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
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(j) 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 (k)(2) 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For EASA AD 2018–0002, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may view this
material at the 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.
This material may be found in the AD docket
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16:33 Jul 06, 2021
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at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0505.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L’Enfant
Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024;
telephone (202) 267–9167; email hal.jensen@
faa.gov.
Issued on June 15, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–14401 Filed 7–6–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0497; Project
Identifier 2019–SW–043–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron
Canada Limited 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 Canada Limited
Model 429 helicopters. This proposed
AD was prompted by three reports of
unexpected forces or uncommanded
inputs to the directional (yaw) control
system. This proposed AD would
require revising the existing Rotorcraft
Flight Manual (RFM) for your
helicopter. 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 August 23,
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 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
For service information identified in
this NPRM, contact Bell Textron Canada
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4702
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Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir,
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4, Canada;
telephone (450) 437–2862 or (800) 363–
8023; fax (450) 433–0272; or at https://
www.bellcustomer.com. You may view
this service information at the 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0497; 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, the Transport Canada AD, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mitch Soth, Flight Test Engineer,
Southwest Section, Flight Test Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–
5110; email mitch.soth@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–2021–0497; Project Identifier
2019–SW–043–AD’’ 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
E:\FR\FM\07JYP1.SGM
07JYP1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 127 / Wednesday, July 7, 2021 / Proposed Rules
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 Mitch Soth, Flight
Test Engineer, Southwest Section, Flight
Test Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email
mitch.soth@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
Transport Canada, which is the
aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada Emergency AD
CF–2019–16, dated May 6, 2019
(Transport Canada AD CF–2019–16), to
correct an unsafe condition for Bell
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited
(now Bell Textron Canada Limited)
Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers
57001 and subsequent. Transport
Canada advises of three reports of
unexpected forces or uncommanded
inputs to the directional (yaw) control
system during ground operations.
Investigation revealed that a yaw trim
runaway can occur while the automatic
pedal trim function is operating. This
condition, if not addressed, could result
in loss of control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, Transport Canada AD CF–
2019–16 requires revising Bell RFM
BHT–429–FM–1 by incorporating
revision 14, dated April 18, 2019.
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FAA’s Determination
These helicopters have been approved
by the aviation authority of Canada and
are approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to the FAA’s bilateral
agreement with Canada, Transport
Canada, its technical representative, has
notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in its AD. The FAA is
proposing this AD after evaluating all
known relevant information and
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of the same
type design.
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Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Section 2—Normal
Procedures, Section 3—Emergency and
Malfunction Procedures, and Section
4—Performance, of Bell RFM BHT–429–
FM–1, Revision 14, dated April 18,
2019. This revision of the service
information adds a procedure to reduce
the risk of trim runaway during start
sequence, cautions to reduce the risk of
uncommanded control movement
during engine start and takeoff and resetting force trim detent instructions
during engine start and takeoff, and an
emergency procedure to assist flight
crew to recognize trim runaway and
response instructions.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
revising the existing RFM for your
helicopter by adding procedures in
Section 2, Normal Procedures, under 2–
4. INTERIOR AND PRESTART CHECK,
2–5. ENGINE START, and 2–8.
TAKEOFF; Section 3, Emergency and
Malfunction Procedures, under 3–9.
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL
SYSTEM; and Section 4, Performance,
under 4–2. POWER ASSURANCE
CHECK.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 120
helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
Based on these numbers, the FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD.
Revising the existing RFM for your
helicopter would take about 0.50 workhour for an estimated cost of $43 per
helicopter and $5,160 for the U.S. fleet.
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
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35693
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, 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
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 Canada Limited: Docket No.
FAA–2021–0497; Project Identifier
2019–SW–043–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by August 23,
2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada
Limited Model 429 helicopters, certificated
in any category, serial numbers 57001 and
subsequent.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6720, Tail Rotor Control System.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 127 / Wednesday, July 7, 2021 / Proposed Rules
(e) Unsafe Condition
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, revise the existing Rotorcraft
Flight Manual for your helicopter as follows:
(i) In Section 2, Normal Procedures, under
2–4. INTERIOR AND PRESTART CHECK,
add the following as item 25: ‘‘25. Depress
the cyclic force TRIM REL button and
collective FORCE REL button (4-axis only) to
center actuators and extinguish any active
out of detent indications.’’
(ii) In Section 2, Normal Procedures, under
2–5. ENGINE START and under 2–8.
TAKEOFF, add the following above item 1:
‘‘CAUTION: WHEN MANIPULATING
This AD was prompted by three reports of
unexpected forces or uncommanded inputs
to the directional (yaw) control system. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent yaw trim
runaway. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in loss of control of
the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
FLIGHT CONTROLS WITH FORCE TRIM
SELECTED ON, DO NOT RELEASE
AFFECTED FLIGHT CONTROL UNTIL THE
OUT OF DETENT INDICATION
EXTINGUISHES. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS
MAY BE RESET BY DEPRESSING THE
CYCLIC FORCE TRIM REL BUTTON AND
COLLECTIVE FORCE REL BUTTON (4–AXIS
ONLY) UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT
INDICATION EXTINGUISHES.’’
(iii) In Section 3, Emergency and
Malfunction Procedures, under 3–9.
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM,
add the information in Figure 1 to paragraph
(g)(1)(iii) of this AD as item 3–9–D:
3-9-D. TRIM RUNAWAY
• INDICATIONS:
Flight controls - Uncommanded movement.
Flight control forces - High in axis of uncommanded movement,
normal in other axes.
Out of detent indication for affected axis
• PROCEDURE:
1. Cyclic force TRIM REL and/or collective FORCE REL button
(4-axis only)-Depress until the out of detent indication extinguishes.
2. Flight controls - Do not release flight control if out of detent
indication is present.
3. Force TRIM switch-OFF; check TRM OFF illuminates on PFD.
4. IfIMC, land as soon as practical. IfVMC, continue flight in SCAS.
(iv) In Section 4, Performance, under 4–2.
POWER ASSURANCE CHECK, add the
following above the instructions for
performing a power assurance check:
‘‘CAUTION: WHEN MANIPULATING
FLIGHT CONTROLS WITH FORCE TRIM
SELECTED ON, DO NOT RELEASE
AFFECTED FLIGHT CONTROL UNTIL THE
OUT OF DETENT INDICATION
EXTINGUISHES. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS
MAY BE RESET BY DEPRESSING THE
CYCLIC FORCE TRIM REL BUTTON AND
COLLECTIVE FORCE REL BUTTON (4–AXIS
ONLY) UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT
INDICATION EXTINGUISHES.’’
(2) Using a document with information
identical to the information in paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD is acceptable for compliance
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16:33 Jul 06, 2021
Jkt 253001
with the actions required by paragraph (g)(1)
of this AD.
(3) The actions required by paragraphs
(g)(1) and (2) of this AD may be performed
by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least
a private pilot certificate and must be entered
into the aircraft records showing compliance
with this AD in accordance with § 43.9(a)(1)
through (4) and § 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record
must be maintained as required by § 91.417,
§ 121.380, or § 135.439.
(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
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Mitch Soth, Flight Test Engineer,
E:\FR\FM\07JYP1.SGM
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EP07JY21.070
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(l)(iii)
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 127 / Wednesday, July 7, 2021 / Proposed Rules
Southwest Section, Flight Test Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
mitch.soth@faa.gov.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
Transport Canada Emergency AD CF–2019–
16, dated May 6, 2019. You may view the
Transport Canada AD on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA–2021–0497.
Issued on June 10, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–14400 Filed 7–6–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–500; Project
Identifier 2017–SW–069–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and
EC130T2 helicopters. This proposed AD
was prompted by a report of a jammed
pilot collective pitch lever (collective).
This proposed AD would require
inspecting the collective for proper
engagement of the locking pin. 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 August 23,
2021.
SUMMARY:
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 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:33 Jul 06, 2021
Jkt 253001
For service information identified in
this NPRM, contact Airbus Helicopters,
2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie,
TX 75052; telephone (972) 641–0000 or
(800) 232–0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or
at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/
services/technical-support.html. You
may view the referenced service
information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information
on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–500; 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, the European Aviation Safety
Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anthony Kenward, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–
5152; email anthony.kenward@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–2021–500; Project Identifier 2017–
SW–069–AD’’ 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
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
35695
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 Anthony Kenward,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth
ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5152; email
anthony.kenward@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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD 2017–0062,
dated April 11, 2017 (EASA AD 2017–
0062), to correct an unsafe condition for
Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and
EC130T2 helicopters. EASA states that
during an autorotation test conducted
during an acceptance flight, the pilot
felt a jamming sensation when pushing
the collective to the low pitch position,
and he subsequently was able to free the
collective by pulling on it. According to
EASA, an analysis determined that the
locking tab hook (hook) and the low
pitch locking pin (pin) were extremely
close, and that a fold in the control lever
boot may have become caught between
the two components. EASA states that
this condition, if not detected and
corrected, could result in an untimely
locking of the collective and subsequent
reduced control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2017–0062
requires inspecting and adjusting, if
necessary, the clearance between the
hook and the pin while in the low pitch
position.
FAA’s Determination
These helicopters have been approved
by EASA and are approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to the
FAA’s bilateral agreement with the
European Union, EASA has notified the
FAA about the unsafe condition
described in its AD. The FAA is
proposing this AD after evaluating all
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 7, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35692-35695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14400]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0497; Project Identifier 2019-SW-043-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited 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 Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by three reports of unexpected forces or
uncommanded inputs to the directional (yaw) control system. This
proposed AD would require revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight
Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. 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 August 23,
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 between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Bell
Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4,
Canada; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-0272;
or at https://www.bellcustomer.com. You may view this service
information at the 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0497; 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, the
Transport Canada AD, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mitch Soth, Flight Test Engineer,
Southwest Section, Flight Test Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222-5110; 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-2021-0497; Project Identifier
2019-SW-043-AD'' 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
[[Page 35693]]
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 Mitch Soth, Flight Test
Engineer, Southwest Section, Flight Test Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 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
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2019-16, dated May 6, 2019
(Transport Canada AD CF-2019-16), to correct an unsafe condition for
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada
Limited) Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers 57001 and subsequent.
Transport Canada advises of three reports of unexpected forces or
uncommanded inputs to the directional (yaw) control system during
ground operations. Investigation revealed that a yaw trim runaway can
occur while the automatic pedal trim function is operating. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the
helicopter. Accordingly, Transport Canada AD CF-2019-16 requires
revising Bell RFM BHT-429-FM-1 by incorporating revision 14, dated
April 18, 2019.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its
technical representative, has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD after evaluating all
known relevant information and determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters
of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Section 2--Normal Procedures, Section 3--Emergency
and Malfunction Procedures, and Section 4--Performance, of Bell RFM
BHT-429-FM-1, Revision 14, dated April 18, 2019. This revision of the
service information adds a procedure to reduce the risk of trim runaway
during start sequence, cautions to reduce the risk of uncommanded
control movement during engine start and takeoff and re-setting force
trim detent instructions during engine start and takeoff, and an
emergency procedure to assist flight crew to recognize trim runaway and
response instructions.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the existing RFM for your
helicopter by adding procedures in Section 2, Normal Procedures, under
2-4. INTERIOR AND PRESTART CHECK, 2-5. ENGINE START, and 2-8. TAKEOFF;
Section 3, Emergency and Malfunction Procedures, under 3-9. AUTOMATIC
FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM; and Section 4, Performance, under 4-2. POWER
ASSURANCE CHECK.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 120 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at
$85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD.
Revising the existing RFM for your helicopter would take about 0.50
work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $5,160 for
the U.S. fleet.
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, 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 Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2021-0497; Project
Identifier 2019-SW-043-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 23, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429
helicopters, certificated in any category, serial numbers 57001 and
subsequent.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor
Control System.
[[Page 35694]]
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by three reports of unexpected forces or
uncommanded inputs to the directional (yaw) control system. The FAA
is issuing this AD to prevent yaw trim runaway. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of the
helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for your helicopter as
follows:
(i) In Section 2, Normal Procedures, under 2-4. INTERIOR AND
PRESTART CHECK, add the following as item 25: ``25. Depress the
cyclic force TRIM REL button and collective FORCE REL button (4-axis
only) to center actuators and extinguish any active out of detent
indications.''
(ii) In Section 2, Normal Procedures, under 2-5. ENGINE START
and under 2-8. TAKEOFF, add the following above item 1: ``CAUTION:
WHEN MANIPULATING FLIGHT CONTROLS WITH FORCE TRIM SELECTED ON, DO
NOT RELEASE AFFECTED FLIGHT CONTROL UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT
INDICATION EXTINGUISHES. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS MAY BE RESET BY
DEPRESSING THE CYCLIC FORCE TRIM REL BUTTON AND COLLECTIVE FORCE REL
BUTTON (4-AXIS ONLY) UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT INDICATION
EXTINGUISHES.''
(iii) In Section 3, Emergency and Malfunction Procedures, under
3-9. AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, add the information in Figure
1 to paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of this AD as item 3-9-D:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP07JY21.070
(iv) In Section 4, Performance, under 4-2. POWER ASSURANCE
CHECK, add the following above the instructions for performing a
power assurance check: ``CAUTION: WHEN MANIPULATING FLIGHT CONTROLS
WITH FORCE TRIM SELECTED ON, DO NOT RELEASE AFFECTED FLIGHT CONTROL
UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT INDICATION EXTINGUISHES. THE FLIGHT CONTROLS
MAY BE RESET BY DEPRESSING THE CYCLIC FORCE TRIM REL BUTTON AND
COLLECTIVE FORCE REL BUTTON (4-AXIS ONLY) UNTIL THE OUT OF DETENT
INDICATION EXTINGUISHES.''
(2) Using a document with information identical to the
information in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD is acceptable for
compliance with the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(3) The actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD
may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a
private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft
records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with Sec.
43.9(a)(1) through (4) and Sec. 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be
maintained as required by Sec. 91.417, Sec. 121.380, or Sec.
135.439.
(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: [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.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Mitch Soth,
Flight Test Engineer,
[[Page 35695]]
Southwest Section, Flight Test Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada
Emergency AD CF-2019-16, dated May 6, 2019. You may view the
Transport Canada AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2021-0497.
Issued on June 10, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-14400 Filed 7-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P