[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 164 (Friday, August 27, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48078-48080]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18383]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0713; Project Identifier AD-2021-00180-R]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Inc., Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for Bell Textron Inc., Model 412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters. This
proposed AD was prompted by evaluation results showing flight loads
that impact the collective lever fatigue life. This proposed AD would
require adding a permanent life penalty for certain collective levers
and prohibit installing those collective levers unless the permanent
life penalty has been added. 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 October 12,
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:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     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.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Bell
Textron, Inc., P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101; telephone 1-450-437-
2862 or 1-800-363-8023; fax 1-450-433-0272; email
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or at https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. 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<PHONE_NUMBER>.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0713; 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: Haytham Alaidy, Aerospace Engineer,
Certification & Program Management Section, DSCO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
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-2021-0713; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00180-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 Haytham Alaidy, Aerospace Engineer, Certification &
Program Management Section, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
exception occurred on : 2021-18383.htm
exception occurred on : 2021-18383.htm
(817) 222-5224; email haytham.ala[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 proposes to adopt a new AD for Bell Textron Inc., Model
412, 412EP, and 412CF helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the
results of an evaluation of BLR Aerospace Strake and FastFin system
part number (P/N) 412-705-040-101. During the evaluation, additional
flight loads were recorded that impact the collective lever fatigue
life. Accordingly, this proposed AD would require adding a permanent
life penalty for affected collective levers and prohibit installing
those collective levers unless the permanent life penalty has been
added. This condition, if not addressed, could result in fatigue damage
and cracking, failure of the collective lever, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.

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.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 412-12-151,
Revision A, dated July 8, 2014. This service information specifies
procedures for adding a permanent flight hour penalty for collective
levers installed or previously installed on helicopters with a Strake
and FastFin system P/N 412-705-040-101.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require, depending on the configuration,
adding a permanent life penalty of 5,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
50% of the total hours TIS accumulated by the collective lever on the
component history card or equivalent record for the collective lever.
This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected collective
lever unless the permanent life penalty has been added on its component
history card or equivalent record.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies adding the permanent life penalty
at the next scheduled inspection, whereas this proposed AD would
require that action within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of
this AD instead. This proposed AD would require adding the permanent
life penalty for helicopters without a Strake and FastFin system P/N
412-705-040-101 installed, but with a collective lever P/N 412-010-408-
101 installed, whereas the service information does not specify this.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 96 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.
    Replacing a collective lever would take about 2 work-hours and
parts would cost about $18,237, for an estimated cost of $18,407 per
helicopter and up to $1,767,072 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 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.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0713; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00180-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 12, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bell Textron Inc., Model 412, 412EP, and
412CF helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2700, Flight
Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by evaluation results showing flight loads
that impact the collective lever fatigue life. The FAA is issuing
this AD to prevent fatigue damage and cracking, which could result
in failure of the collective lever and subsequent 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 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD:
    (i) For helicopters with a Strake and FastFin system part number
(P/N) 412-705-040-101 installed since initial delivery from the
manufacturer, add a permanent penalty

of 5,000 hours TIS to the total hours TIS indicated on the component
history card or equivalent record for the collective lever P/N 412-
010-408-101.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1)(i): Bell Helicopter service
information identifies helicopters with serial numbers 36570, 36579,
36587, and 36593 through 36602 inclusive, as helicopters originally
delivered with a Strake and FastFin system installed.

    (ii) For helicopters with a Strake and FastFin system P/N 412-
705-040-101 installed after delivery from the manufacturer, add a
permanent penalty of 50% of the total hours TIS accumulated by the
collective lever P/N 412-010-408-101 on the component history card
or equivalent record for the collective lever P/N 412-010-408-101.

    Note 2 to paragraph (g)(1)(ii): The Accomplishment Instructions,
part II, paragraph 2., of Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin
412-12-151, Revision A, dated July 8, 2014, provides an example of
calculating and adding a permanent penalty of 50%.

    (iii) For helicopters without a Strake and FastFin system P/N
412-705-040-101 installed, but with a collective lever P/N 412-010-
408-101 installed, add a permanent penalty of 50% of the total hours
TIS accumulated by the collective lever on the component history
card or equivalent record for the collective lever.
    (2) Before further flight, remove from service any collective
lever P/N 412-010-408-101 that has reached or exceeded its life
limit of 10,000 total hours TIS. Thereafter, remove from service
each collective lever P/N 412-010-408-101 on or before reaching its
life limit of 10,000 total hours TIS.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a new
(zero total hours TIS) collective lever P/N 412-010-408-101 unless a
permanent penalty of 5,000 hours TIS has been added to the total
hours TIS on its component history card or equivalent record.
    (4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a used
collective lever P/N 412-010-408-101 unless a permanent penalty of
50% of the total hours TIS accumulated by the collective lever has
been added to the total hours TIS on its component history card or
equivalent record.

(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
certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (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 Haytham Alaidy,
Aerospace Engineer, Certification & Program Management Section, DSCO
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
    Issued on August 19, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18383 Filed 8-26-21; 8:45 am]
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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11824-11826]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04887]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2016-0002; Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-B-1602]

Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard
determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any
Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area
(SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the
supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities
listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek
general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and
where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and
FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the
community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in
effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, the FIRM and FIS
report, once effective, will be used by insurance agents and others to
calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings
and the contents of those buildings.

DATES: Comments are to be submitted on or before June 2, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The Preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report
for each community are available for inspection at both the online
location and the respective Community Map Repository address listed in
the tables below. Additionally, the current effective FIRM and FIS
report for each community are accessible online through the FEMA Map
Service Center at www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.
    You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1602, to
Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance
and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC
20472,<PHONE_NUMBER>, or (email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering
Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration,
FEMA, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472,<PHONE_NUMBER>, or
(email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or visit the FEMA Map Information
eXchange (FMIX) online at www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA proposes to make flood hazard
determinations for each community listed below, in accordance with
section 110 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C.
4104, and 44 CFR 67.4(a).
    These proposed flood hazard determinations, together with the
floodplain management criteria required by 44 CFR 60.3, are the minimum
that are required. They should not be construed to mean that the
community must change any existing ordinances that are more stringent
in their floodplain management requirements. The community may at any
time enact stricter requirements of its own or pursuant to policies
established by other Federal, State, or regional entities. These flood
hazard determinations are used to meet the floodplain management
requirements of the NFIP and also are used to calculate the appropriate
flood insurance premium rates for new buildings built after the FIRM
and FIS report become effective.
    The communities affected by the flood hazard determinations are
provided in the tables below. Any request for reconsideration of the
revised flood hazard information shown on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS
report that satisfies the data requirements outlined in 44 CFR 67.6(b)
is considered an appeal. Comments unrelated to the flood hazard
determinations also will be considered before the FIRM and FIS report
become effective.
    Use of a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) is available to
communities in support of the appeal resolution process. SRPs are
independent panels of experts in hydrology, hydraulics, and other
pertinent sciences established to review conflicting scientific and
technical data and provide recommendations for resolution. Use of the
SRP only may be exercised after FEMA and local communities have been
engaged in a collaborative consultation process for at least 60 days
without a mutually acceptable resolution of an appeal. Additional
information regarding the SRP process can be found online at http://floodsrp.org/pdfs/srp_fact_sheet.pdf.
    The watersheds and/or communities affected are listed in the tables
below. The Preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, FIS report for each
community are available for inspection at both the online location and
the respective Community Map Repository address listed in the tables.
For communities with multiple ongoing Preliminary studies, the studies
can be identified by the unique project number and Preliminary FIRM
date listed in the tables. Additionally, the current effective FIRM and
FIS report for each community are accessible online through the FEMA
Map Service Center at www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 97.022, ``Flood
Insurance.'')

    Dated: February 4, 2016.
Roy E. Wright,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, Department
of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

I. Watershed-based studies:

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                                             Community map repository
               Community                             address
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                     Lower Missouri-Moreau Watershed
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      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
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             Howard County, Missouri, and Incorporated Areas
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City of Franklin.......................  City Hall, 410 Crews Avenue,
                                          Franklin, MO 65250.
City of Glasgow........................  City Hall, 100 Market Street,
                                          Glasgow, MO 65254.
City of New Franklin...................  City Hall, 130 East Broadway,
                                          New Franklin, MO 65274.
Unincorporated Areas of Howard County..  County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse
                                          Square, Fayette, MO 65248.
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II. Non-watershed-based studies:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Community map repository
               Community                             address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Del Norte County, California and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
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        Project: 11-09-0846S Preliminary Date: September 1, 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Crescent City..................  Public Works Department, 377 J
                                          Street, Crescent City, CA
                                          95531.
Unincorporated Areas of Del Norte        Community Development
 County.                                  Department, 981 H Street,
                                          Suite 110, Crescent City, CA
                                          95531.
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        San Luis Obispo County, California and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Project: 11-09-0855S Preliminary Date: November 13, 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Grover Beach...................  City Hall, 154 South Eighth
                                          Street, Grover Beach, CA
                                          93433.
City of Morro Bay......................  Public Works & Community
                                          Development Department, 955
                                          Shasta Avenue, Morro Bay, CA
                                          93442.
City of Pismo Beach....................  City Hall, 760 Mattie Road,
                                          Pismo Beach, CA 93449.
Unincorporated Areas of San Luis Obispo  County Government Center,
 County.                                  Public Works Department, 1055
                                          Monterey Street, Room 207, San
                                          Luis Obispo, CA 93408.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Cass County, Iowa, and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Project: 15-07-0895S Preliminary Date: June 22, 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Anita..........................  City Hall, 744 Main Street,
                                          Anita, IA 50020.
City of Atlantic.......................  City Hall, 23 East 4th Street,
                                          Atlantic, IA 50022.
City of Cumberland.....................  City Hall, 207 Main Street,
                                          Cumberland, IA 50843.
City of Griswold.......................  City Building, 601 2nd Street,
                                          Griswold, IA 51535.
City of Lewis..........................  City Hall, 416 West Main
                                          Street, Lewis, IA 51544.
City of Marne..........................  City Council Chambers, 403
                                          Washington Street, Marne, IA
                                          51552.
City of Massena........................  City Hall, 100 Main Street,
                                          Massena, IA 50853.
City of Wiota..........................  City Hall, 311 Center Street,
                                          Wiota, IA 50274.
Unincorporated Areas of Cass County....  Cass County Courthouse,
                                          Engineer's Office, 5 West 7th
                                          Street, Atlantic, IA 50022.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Mason County, Illinois and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Project:11-05-5337S Preliminary Date: October 16, 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unincorporated Areas of Mason County...  Mason County Courthouse, County
                                          Zoning Office, 125 North Plum
                                          Street, Havana, IL 62644.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Pocahontas County, Iowa, and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Project: 15-07-0902S Preliminary Date: July 31, 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Fonda..........................  City Hall, 104 West 2nd Street,
                                          Fonda, IA 50540.
City of Havelock.......................  City Hall, 858 Wood Street,
                                          Havelock, IA 50546.
City of Laurens........................  City Hall, 272 North 3rd
                                          Street, Laurens, IA 50554.

City of Pocahontas.....................  City Hall, 23 West Elm Avenue,
                                          Pocahontas, IA 50574.
City of Rolfe..........................  City Hall, 319 Garfield Street,
                                          Rolfe, IA 50581.
Unincorporated Areas of Pocahontas       Pocahontas County Courthouse,
 County.                                  99 Court Square, Pocahontas,
                                          IA 50574.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2016-04887 Filed 3-4-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-12-P