83 FR 25408 - Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 106 (June 1, 2018)

Page Range		25408-25410
FR Document		2018-11445

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 427 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the inboard skin of the vertical fin around the four tailboom attachment points. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracked vertical fin skins that resulted from metal fatigue. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 106 (Friday, June 1, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25408-25410]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11445]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1105; Product Identifier 2017-SW-023-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 427 helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting the inboard skin of the vertical 
fin around the four tailboom attachment points. This proposed AD is 
prompted by reports of cracked vertical fin skins that resulted from 
metal fatigue. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent 
an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1105; 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 proposed AD, the Transport Canada AD, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this proposed rule, contact 
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, 
Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax 
(450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may 
review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, 
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has 
issued Canadian AD No. CF-2017-03, dated January 31, 2017, to correct 
an unsafe condition for BHTC Model 427 helicopters with vertical fin 
part number (P/N) 427-035-840-105 or P/N 427-035-840-109 installed. 
Transport Canada advises of three reports of cracked vertical fin skins 
that resulted from metal fatigue. If not detected, the crack may grow 
to a critical length, causing the fin to fail, separate from the 
helicopter and damage the main or tail rotor blades, leading to their 
in-flight failure. Loss of the fin may also adversely affect the 
helicopter's directional stability, leading to loss of directional 
control, Transport Canada advises.
    Transport Canada consequently requires repetitively inspecting the 
vertical fins for a crack, and if a crack is detected, replacing the 
fin before further flight.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 427-15-38, 
Revision A, dated November 14, 2016, which specifies recurring 
inspections of the vertical fins every 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
once the vertical fin has accumulated 1,500 hours TIS. This inspection 
also was incorporated in Chapter 4 of the maintenance manual. This 
service information also specifies

[[Page 25409]]

that serial numbers be assigned to vertical fins that do not have a 
serial number.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require within 25 hours TIS or before the 
helicopter has accumulated 1,500 hours TIS, whichever occurs later and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS:
     Removing and cleaning the vertical fin attachment area.
     Using a 10X magnifying glass, visually inspecting the 
inboard skin of the vertical fin around the four tailboom attachment 
points for a crack and replacing the fin before further flight if there 
is a crack.
     Assigning a serial number if the vertical fin does not 
have a serial number.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 27 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work hour. Based on 
these estimates, we expect the following costs:
     Performing the visual inspection would require 2.25 work-
hours and no parts for a cost of about $191 per helicopter and $5,157 
for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
     Replacing the fin would require 4 work-hours, and parts 
would cost $10,000, for a cost of $10,340 per helicopter.
     Assigning a serial number to the fin would require 0.5 
work-hour for a cost of $43 per helicopter.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 (AD):

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited: Docket No. FAA-2017-1105; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-023-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 
427 helicopters with a vertical fin part number (P/N) 427-035-840-
105 or P/N 427-035-840-109 installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack on the vertical 
fin skin. This condition could lead to structural failure of the 
fin, separation of the skin from the helicopter, damage to the main 
or tail rotor blades and loss of helicopter control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 31, 2018.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the helicopter 
has accumulated 1,500 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS:
    (1) Remove the vertical fin and clean the vertical fin 
attachment area with a soap solution to remove all traces of dirt, 
stains, exhaust residue, and oil. Rinse the area with water and let 
dry.
    (i) Using a 10X power magnifying glass, visually inspect the 
inboard skin of the vertical fin for a crack around the four 
tailboom attachment points as depicted in Figure 1 of Bell 
Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 427-15-38, Revision A, dated 
November 14, 2016. Pay particular attention to the upper aft 
attachment point.
    (ii) If there is a crack, replace the vertical fin before 
further flight.
    (2) If the vertical fin does not have a serial number, assign a 
serial number using the helicopter serial number, and permanently 
mark the new serial number on the vertical fin data plate. Create a 
component history card or equivalent record and annotate the serial 
number.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD No. 
CF-2017-03, dated January 31, 2017. You may view the Transport 
Canada AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD 
Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5300, Fuselage 
Structure (General).


[[Page 25410]]


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 16, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11445 Filed 5-31-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

25408 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Proposed Rules

described in this paragraph remain fully • Fax: 202–493–2251. We will file in the docket all
applicable and are complied with • Mail: Send comments to the U.S. comments that we receive, as well as a
accordingly. Department of Transportation, Docket report summarizing each substantive
(k) Related Information Operations, M–30, West Building public contact with FAA personnel
(1) For more information about this AD, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 concerning this proposed rulemaking.
contact Kevin Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC Before acting on this proposal, we will
Propulsion Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 20590–0001. consider all comments we receive on or
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, • Hand Delivery: Deliver to the before the closing date for comments.
WA 98198; phone and fax: 206–231–3555; ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 We will consider comments filed after
email: kevin.nguyen@faa.gov. p.m., Monday through Friday, except the comment period has closed if it is
(2) For Boeing service information possible to do so without incurring
identified in this AD, contact Boeing Federal holidays.
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: expense or delay. We may change this
Examining the AD Docket proposal in light of the comments we
Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600
Westminster Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal You may examine the AD docket on receive.
Beach, CA 90740–5600; telephone the internet at http://
562–797–1717; internet https://
Discussion
www.regulations.gov by searching for
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– Transport Canada, which is the
service information at the FAA, Transport 1105; or in person at Docket Operations aviation authority for Canada, has
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des issued Canadian AD No. CF–2017–03,
Moines, WA. For information on the
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. dated January 31, 2017, to correct an
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195. The AD docket contains this proposed unsafe condition for BHTC Model 427
AD, the Transport Canada AD, the helicopters with vertical fin part
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May number (P/N) 427–035–840–105 or P/N
23, 2018. economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The 427–035–840–109 installed. Transport
James Cashdollar, Canada advises of three reports of
street address for Docket Operations
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, cracked vertical fin skins that resulted
Aircraft Certification Service. (telephone 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be from metal fatigue. If not detected, the
[FR Doc. 2018–11693 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am] crack may grow to a critical length,
available in the AD docket shortly after
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
receipt. causing the fin to fail, separate from the
For service information identified in helicopter and damage the main or tail
this proposed rule, contact Bell rotor blades, leading to their in-flight
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION failure. Loss of the fin may also
Helicopter Textron Canada Limited,
Federal Aviation Administration 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec adversely affect the helicopter’s
J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437–2862 or directional stability, leading to loss of
14 CFR Part 39 (800) 363–8023; fax (450) 433–0272; or directional control, Transport Canada
at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. advises.
[Docket No. FAA–2017–1105; Product Transport Canada consequently
You may review the referenced service
Identifier 2017–SW–023–AD] requires repetitively inspecting the
information at the FAA, Office of the
RIN 2120–AA64 Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, vertical fins for a crack, and if a crack
10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–321, is detected, replacing the fin before
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Fort Worth, TX 76177. further flight.
Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt FAA’s Determination
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, These helicopters have been approved
Administration (FAA), DOT. Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft by the aviation authority of Canada and
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 are approved for operation in the United
(NPRM). Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; States. Pursuant to our bilateral
telephone (817) 222–5110; email agreement with Canada, Transport
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Canada, its technical representative, has
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: notified us of the unsafe condition
Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC)
Model 427 helicopters. This proposed Comments Invited described in its AD. We are proposing
AD would require inspecting the this AD because we evaluated all known
We invite you to participate in this relevant information and determined
inboard skin of the vertical fin around rulemaking by submitting written
the four tailboom attachment points. that an unsafe condition is likely to
comments, data, or views. We also exist or develop on other products of the
This proposed AD is prompted by invite comments relating to the
reports of cracked vertical fin skins that same type design.
economic, environmental, energy, or
resulted from metal fatigue. The actions federalism impacts that might result Related Service Information Under 1
of this proposed AD are intended to from adopting the proposals in this CFR Part 51
prevent an unsafe condition on these document. The most helpful comments We reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert
products. reference a specific portion of the Service Bulletin 427–15–38, Revision A,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

DATES: We must receive comments on proposal, explain the reason for any dated November 14, 2016, which
this proposed AD by July 31, 2018. recommended change, and include specifies recurring inspections of the
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by supporting data. To ensure the docket vertical fins every 100 hours time-in-
any of the following methods: does not contain duplicate comments, service (TIS) once the vertical fin has
• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to commenters should send only one copy accumulated 1,500 hours TIS. This
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the of written comments, or if comments are inspection also was incorporated in
online instructions for sending your filed electronically, commenters should Chapter 4 of the maintenance manual.
comments electronically. submit only one time. This service information also specifies

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Proposed Rules 25409

that serial numbers be assigned to products identified in this rulemaking could lead to structural failure of the fin,
vertical fins that do not have a serial action. separation of the skin from the helicopter,
number. damage to the main or tail rotor blades and
Regulatory Findings loss of helicopter control.
This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties We determined that this proposed AD (c) Comments Due Date
have access to it through their normal would not have federalism implications We must receive comments by July 31,
course of business or by the means under Executive Order 13132. This 2018.
identified in the ADDRESSES section. proposed AD would not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on (d) Compliance
Proposed AD Requirements the relationship between the national You are responsible for performing each
This proposed AD would require Government and the States, or on the action required by this AD within the
within 25 hours TIS or before the distribution of power and specified compliance time unless it has
helicopter has accumulated 1,500 hours responsibilities among the various already been accomplished prior to that time.
TIS, whichever occurs later and levels of government. (e) Required Actions
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 For the reasons discussed, I certify Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
hours TIS: this proposed regulation: before the helicopter has accumulated 1,500
• Removing and cleaning the vertical 1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory hours TIS, whichever occurs later, and
fin attachment area. action’’ under Executive Order 12866; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours
• Using a 10X magnifying glass, 2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the TIS:
visually inspecting the inboard skin of DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (1) Remove the vertical fin and clean the
the vertical fin around the four tailboom (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); vertical fin attachment area with a soap
attachment points for a crack and 3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in solution to remove all traces of dirt, stains,
replacing the fin before further flight if Alaska to the extent that it justifies exhaust residue, and oil. Rinse the area with
there is a crack. making a regulatory distinction; and water and let dry.
• Assigning a serial number if the 4. Will not have a significant (i) Using a 10X power magnifying glass,
vertical fin does not have a serial visually inspect the inboard skin of the
economic impact, positive or negative, vertical fin for a crack around the four
number. on a substantial number of small entities tailboom attachment points as depicted in
Costs of Compliance under the criteria of the Regulatory Figure 1 of Bell Helicopter Alert Service
Flexibility Act. Bulletin 427–15–38, Revision A, dated
We estimate that this proposed AD We prepared an economic evaluation November 14, 2016. Pay particular attention
would affect 27 helicopters of U.S. of the estimated costs to comply with to the upper aft attachment point.
Registry and that labor costs average $85 this proposed AD and placed it in the (ii) If there is a crack, replace the vertical
a work hour. Based on these estimates, AD docket. fin before further flight.
we expect the following costs: (2) If the vertical fin does not have a serial
• Performing the visual inspection List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 number, assign a serial number using the
would require 2.25 work-hours and no Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation helicopter serial number, and permanently
parts for a cost of about $191 per safety, Incorporation by reference, mark the new serial number on the vertical
helicopter and $5,157 for the U.S. fleet fin data plate. Create a component history
Safety.
per inspection cycle. card or equivalent record and annotate the
• Replacing the fin would require 4 The Proposed Amendment serial number.
work-hours, and parts would cost Accordingly, under the authority (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
$10,000, for a cost of $10,340 per delegated to me by the Administrator, (AMOCs)
helicopter. the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part (1) The Manager, Safety Management
• Assigning a serial number to the fin 39 as follows: Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
would require 0.5 work-hour for a cost may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
of $43 per helicopter. PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation
DIRECTIVES Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Authority for This Rulemaking Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Title 49 of the United States Code ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue continues to read as follows: telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9-ASW-
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. (2) For operations conducted under a 14
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: § 39.13 [Amended] CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding you notify your principal inspector, or
detail the scope of the Agency’s the following new airworthiness lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
authority. directive (AD): the local flight standards district office or
We are issuing this rulemaking under certificate holding district office before
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited:
the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, Docket No. FAA–2017–1105; Product operating any aircraft complying with this
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: Identifier 2017–SW–023–AD. AD through an AMOC.
General requirements.’’ Under that
(a) Applicability (g) Additional Information
section, Congress charges the FAA with
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in This AD applies to Bell Helicopter Textron The subject of this AD is addressed in
air commerce by prescribing regulations Canada Limited Model 427 helicopters with Transport Canada AD No. CF–2017–03, dated
for practices, methods, and procedures a vertical fin part number (P/N) 427–035– January 31, 2017. You may view the
840–105 or P/N 427–035–840–109 installed, Transport Canada AD on the internet at
the Administrator finds necessary for
certificated in any category. http://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority (b) Unsafe Condition (h) Subject
because it addresses an unsafe condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
that is likely to exist or develop on crack on the vertical fin skin. This condition Code: 5300, Fuselage Structure (General).

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25410 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Proposed Rules

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 16, Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For possibly resulting in reduced control of the
2018. information on the availability of this aeroplane.
Scott A. Horn, material at the FAA, call 781–238–7759. To address this potential unsafe condition,
Austro Engine included instructions in the
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Examining the AD Docket engine maintenance manual to periodically
inspect the condition of the timing chain
Aircraft Certification Service. You may examine the AD docket on
and, depending on findings, to replace the
[FR Doc. 2018–11445 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am] the internet at http:// timing chain and the chain wheel. The
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P www.regulations.gov by searching for operation manual was updated to allow
and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– windmilling restart only as an emergency
1138; or in person at Docket Operations procedure.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday More recently, Austro Engines published
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) MSB–E4–
Federal Aviation Administration The AD docket contains this NPRM, the 017/2, providing instructions to replace the
mandatory continuing airworthiness timing chain for engines with known
14 CFR Part 39 windmilling restarts. For the reason
information (MCAI), the regulatory
described above, this [EASA] AD requires
[Docket No. FAA–2017–1138; Product evaluation, any comments received, and replacement of the timing chain for engines
Identifier 2017–NE–41–AD] other information. The street address for with known windmilling restarts, and
Docket Operations (phone: 800–647– requires amendment of the applicable
RIN 2120–AA64 5527) is listed above. Comments will be Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).
available in the AD docket shortly after
Airworthiness Directives; Austro You may obtain further information
receipt.
Engine GmbH Engines by examining the MCAI in the AD
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
docket on the internet at http://
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Barbara Caufield, Aerospace Engineer, www.regulations.gov by searching for
Administration (FAA), DOT. ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 1138.
(NPRM). 781–238–7146; fax: 781–238–7199;
email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov. Related Service Information Under 1
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CFR Part 51
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain We reviewed Austro Engine GmbH
Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines Comments Invited
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No.
and for all model E4P engines. This We invite you to send any written MSB–E4–017/2, dated December 2,
proposed AD was prompted by reports relevant data, views, or arguments about 2016. The MSB describes procedures for
of considerable wear on the timing this proposal. Send your comments to replacement of the timing chain. This
chain on these engines. This proposed an address listed under the ADDRESSES service information is reasonably
AD would require replacement of the section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– available because the interested parties
timing chain and amending certain 2017–1138; Product Identifier 2017– have access to it through their normal
airplane flight manuals to limit use of NE–41–AD’’ at the beginning of your course of business or by the means
windmill restarts. We are proposing this comments. We specifically invite identified in the ADDRESSES section.
AD to address the unsafe condition on comments on the overall regulatory,
these products. economic, environmental, and energy FAA’s Determination
DATES: We must receive comments on aspects of this NPRM. We will consider This product has been approved by
this proposed AD by July 16, 2018. all comments received by the closing EASA, and is approved for operation in
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
date and may amend this NPRM the United States. Pursuant to our
using the procedures found in 14 CFR because of those comments. bilateral agreement with the European
We will post all comments we Community, EASA has notified us of
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
receive, without change, to http:// the unsafe condition described in the
methods:
www.regulations.gov, including any
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to MCAI and service information
personal information you provide. We referenced above. We are proposing this
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
will also post a report summarizing each AD because we evaluated all the
instructions for submitting comments.
substantive verbal contact we receive
• Fax: 202–493–2251. relevant information provided by EASA
about this NPRM.
• Mail: U.S. Department of and determined the unsafe condition
Transportation, Docket Operations, M– Discussion described previously is likely to exist or
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room The European Aviation Safety Agency develop on other products of the same
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, (EASA), which is the Technical Agent type design.
Washington, DC 20590. for the Member States of the European Proposed AD Requirements
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail Community, has issued EASA AD 2017–
address above between 9 a.m. and 5 0103, dated June 14, 2017 (referred to This proposed AD would require
p.m., Monday through Friday, except after this as the MCAI), to correct an replacement of the timing chain and
Federal holidays. unsafe condition for the specified amending certain airplane flight
For service information identified in products. The MCAI states: manuals to limit use of windmill
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

this NPRM, contact Austro Engine restarts.
GmbH, Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 11, A– Considerable wear of the timing chain has
been detected on some engines. This may Costs of Compliance
2700 Weiner Neustadt, Austria; phone:
have been caused by windmilling restarts,
+43 2622 23000; fax: +43 2622 23000– We estimate that this proposed AD
which are known to cause high stress to the
2711; internet: www.austroengine.at. timing chain. affects 211 engines installed on
You may view this service information This condition, if not detected and airplanes of U.S. registry.
at the FAA, Engine & Propeller corrected, could lead to failure of the timing We estimate the following costs to
Standards Branch, 1200 District chain and consequent engine power loss, comply with this proposed AD:

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:09 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01JNP1.SGM 01JNP1

Document Created: 2018-06-01 01:30:08
Document Modified: 2018-06-01 01:30:08

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Dates		We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 31, 2018.
Contact		Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 25408
RIN Number		2120-AA64
CFR Associated		Air Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

83 FR 25408 - Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 106 (June 1, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration