[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3244-3246]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00886]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0006; Project Identifier AD-2021-01298-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 certain Bell Textron Inc. Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412,
412CF, and 412EP helicopters with a certain part-numbered tailboom left
hand fin spar cap (spar cap) installed. This proposed AD was prompted
by reports of cracked spar caps. This proposed AD would require
inspecting each spar cap and depending on the inspection results,
removing the spar cap from service. 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 March 7,
2022.

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 protected]; 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-2022-0006 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: Ameet Shrotriya, Aviation Safety
Engineer, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>;
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-2022-0006; Project Identifier
AD-2021-01298-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 Ameet
Shrotriya, Aviation Safety Engineer, DSCO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177-1524; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected]. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA is proposing to adopt a new AD for certain serial-numbered
Bell Textron Inc. Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and
412EP helicopters with a spar cap part number (P/N) 212-030-447-117
installed. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of fatigue
cracking in the spar caps. Metallurgical lab reports identified that
the cracks originate at the rivet holes, possibly from mechanical
damage caused during deburring. This condition, if not addressed, could
result in reduced structural integrity of the helicopter 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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed the following Bell Alert Service Bulletins, each
dated April 15, 2020 (ASB):
     ASB 205-20-116 for Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters,
serial numbers (S/N) 30001 through 30065, 30067 through 30165, 30167
through 30187, 30189 through 30296, and 30298 through 30332;
     ASB 205B-20-69 for Model 205B helicopters, S/N 30066,
30166, 30188, and 30297;
     ASB 210-20-13 for all serial-numbered Model 210
helicopters;
     ASB 212-20-162 for Model 212 helicopters, S/N 30502
through 30603, 30611 through 30999, 31101 through 31311, 32101 through
32142, and 35001 through 35103;
     ASB 412-20-180 for Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, S/N
33001 through 33213, 34001 through 34036, 36001 through 36999, 37002
through 37999, 38001 through 38999, and 39101 through 39999; and
     ASB 412CF-20-67 for Model 412CF helicopters, S/N 46400
through 46499.
    Bell received a report of a fractured fin spar cap that occurred at
vertical fin station (F.S.) 71 through the first rivet hole attaching
the skin to the spar cap. Bell states that if undetected, the fin spar
cap cracking may lead to additional structural damage. Each ASB
specifies procedures for inspecting both flanges of the spar cap
between F.S. 50 and F.S. 71 for cracks, loose rivets, and other damage
using a 10x magnifying glass and flashlight and inspecting the exterior
of the fin skin where it contacts the spar cap for cracks, loose
rivets, and/or distortion. If no cracks or other damage are found, each
ASB specifies returning the helicopter to service; if a crack or other
damage is found, each ASB specifies contacting Bell's Product Support
Engineering before further flight. Additionally, each ASB specifies
that these inspections are to be accomplished within the next 100
flight hours or 90 days after the ASB's release, whichever occurs
first, and every 100 flight hours thereafter.
    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 ADDRESSES.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require, within 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of the AD, and thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 100 hours TIS, using a 10x or higher power magnifying
glass and flashlight, inspecting both flanges of the spar cap for any
crack, loose rivet, and other damage (such as a scratch, dent,
spalling, or corrosion). This proposed AD would also require inspecting
the exterior of the fin skin in the area where it contacts the spar cap
for any crack, loose rivet, and distortion. If there is any crack,
loose rivet, or other damage in either flange, or if there is any
crack, loose rivet, or distortion in the fin skin area, removing the
spar cap from service would be required before further flight.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The ASBs specify contacting Bell if there is a crack or other
damage, where as this proposed AD would not. The ASBs also specify the
compliance time for the initial inspection is within 100 flight hours
or 90 days after April 15, 2020, whichever occurs first; whereas the
initial inspection in this proposed AD would be required within 100
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action.
The design approval holder may develop a modification that will address
the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is
developed, approved, and available, the FAA might consider additional
rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 226 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the
following costs to comply with this proposed AD, using an average labor
rate of $85 per work-hour.
    Each inspection would take about 1 work-hour, and there would be no
parts costs, for an estimated cost of $85 per inspection and $19,210
for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle. Replacing a spar cap, if
required, would take about 50 work-hours and parts costs would be about
$2,000, for an estimated cost of $6,250 per spar cap replacement.

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-2022-0006; Project Identifier AD-
2021-01298-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 7, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Bell Textron Inc. helicopters
certificated in any category, with a tailboom left hand fin spar cap
(spar cap) part number 212-030-447-117 installed.
    (1) Model 205A and 205A-1 helicopters, serial number (S/N) 30001
through 30065 inclusive, 30067 through 30165 inclusive, 30167
through 30187 inclusive, 30189 through 30296 inclusive, and 30298
through 30332 inclusive;
    (2) Model 205B helicopters, S/N 30066, 30166, 30188, and 30297;
    (3) Model 210 helicopters, all S/Ns;
    (4) Model 212 helicopters, S/N 30502 through 30603 inclusive,
30611 through 30999 inclusive, 31101 through 31311 inclusive, 32101
through 32142 inclusive, and 35001 through 35103 inclusive;
    (5) Model 412 and 412EP helicopters, S/N 33001 through 33213
inclusive, 34001 through 34036 inclusive, 36001 through 36999
inclusive, 37002 through 37999 inclusive, 38001 through 38999
inclusive, and 39101 through 39999 inclusive; and
    (6) Model 412CF helicopters, S/N 46400 through 46499 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5302, Rotorcraft
Tail Boom.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of fatigue cracking in the
spar cap. A crack in the spar cap, if not detected and corrected,
could create stress concentrations at the edge of the rivet holes,
resulting in reduced structural integrity of the helicopter and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is issuing
this AD to detect and prevent this unsafe condition.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date
of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS:
    (1) Using a 10x or higher power magnifying glass and a
flashlight, inspect both flanges of the spar cap between fin station
(F.S.) 50 and F.S. 71 for any crack, loose rivet, and other damage
such as a scratch, dent, spalling, or corrosion, as depicted in
Figure 1 of Bell Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 205-20-116, ASB 205B-
20-69, ASB 210-20-13, ASB 212-20-162, ASB 412-20-180, or ASB 412CF-
20-67, each dated April 15, 2020, as applicable to your helicopter.
If either spar cap flange is cracked, has a loose rivet, or has
other damage, remove the spar cap from service before further
flight.
    (2) Inspect the exterior of the fin skin in the area that
contacts the spar cap for any crack, loose rivets, and distortion.
If there is any crack, loose rivet, or distortion in the fin skin in
the area that contacts the spar cap, remove the spar cap from
service before further flight.

(h) 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 Related Information.
    (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 Ameet Shrotriya,
Aviation Safety Engineer, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524;
phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, 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 protected]; or at https://www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(817) 222-5110.

    Issued on January 11, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00886 Filed 1-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


TABLE 2A ESTIMATED ANNUAL BURDEN AND LABOR COST TO INDUSTRY TO IMPLEMENT REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS Burden item' ( A) Person hours per occurrence ( 13) Number ofoccurrences per year ( C) Person hours per respondent per year( C= A* B) ( D) Respondent s per year ( E) Technical person hoursper year( E= C* D) ( F) Management person hours per year ( F= E* 0.05) ( G) Clericalperson  hoursper year( G= E* 0.1) ( H) Cost,$ b 1. Applications N/ A 2. Surveys and Studies N/ A 3. Reporting and A. Read instructions  1 1 1 1 1 0 0 5534 B. Required activities Initial Performance Test Process Vents 480 1 480 1 480 24 48 30,158 Wastewater 160 1 160 1 160 8 16 10,052 C. Create information Included in 3E D. Gather existing information Included in 3E E. Write report Notification of construction/ 2 1 2 8 16 1 2 1035 Notification of physical/ operational changeSd2 1 2 8 16 1 2 1035 Notification of anticipated startu a 2 1 2 8 16 1 2 1035 Actual start up notification ° 2 1 2 8 16 1 2 1035 Notification of applicability of thestandard  2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 Notification of applicability of thestandard  2 1 2 1 2 0 0 110.

Notification of demonstration ofCMS 2 1 2 1 2 10.0521 110.

Notification of initial performancetest 2 _ 4 _ 4 0 0 22136 Report of initial test 80 2 I 160 1 1 160 8 16 TABLE 2A ( Cont'd) ( A) ( B) ( C) ( D) ( E) ( F) ( G) ( H)

Person hours Technical Clerical per respondent person hours Management person hours Person hours Number of per year per year person hours per year per occurrence occurrences ( C= A* B) Respondents ( E= C* D) per year ( G= E* 0.1) Cost,

Burden item' per year per year ( F= E* 0.05) $"

Initial notification and 14 l 14 1 14 1 1 888 implementation'

Submit startup, shutdown, 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 110 malfunction plan Submit quality control plan for 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 66 continuous monitoring systems Compliance status information 20 2 40 8(' 3200 160 320 201,059 report ( semiannual report)

Report of monitoring exceedances 16 4 64 1 64 3 6 3991 and periods of noncompliance Purchase software N/ A 1 N/ A N/ A N/ A N/ A N/ A 0 inc, customizing)

Develop record system' 40 1 40 1 40 2 4 2,508 Time to train personnel 40 1 40 1 40 2 4 2,508 LDAR reporting and 87.5 1 87.5 80 7,000 350 700 439,817 recordkee in '

Continuously monitored parameters N/ A N/ A N/ A 0 SUBTOTAL BURDEN AND COST 11,235 562 1,123 705,908 ( SALARY) NATIONWIDE: 88, 680 Average second year labor cost per 80 5,191 facilit ' Costs assume a rate of $ 55.34/ hour for technical labor, $ 78.54/ hour for management labor, and $ 35.64/ hour for clerical labor.   One time only cost; this will occur prior to the first year, but is included in first year costs.

° Assumes 10 percent of existing sources will require some type of modification to existing process( es).   Assumes there will be a growth of 1 percent per year in applicable sources.

( Total capital costs x 0.2638 ( capital recovery factor based on a 10 percent interest rate and 5 year useful life).

8According to EPA guidance, annual recordkeepuig and reporting costs for the Reg Neg LDAR program are estimated to be 40 percent of monitoring and repair labor, which average $ 8,083 per facility. Person hour burden estimates have been back calculated from the total cost.

' The average facility burden is calculated by dividing the total facility burden by the number of facilities ( 80) subject to the rule. TABLE 2B ESTIMATE OF ANNUAL BURDEN AND COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS Activity ( A) EPAhoursperoperati on ( B)

Operationsper year ( C) Technicalpers on hoursper year( C= A* B) ( D) Managemen t person hours per year= C * 0.05) ( E)

Clericalpersonhours per year ( E= C* 0.1) ( F) Cost,$ a Initial performance test N/ A Repeat initial performance test N/ A Litigation N/ A Report review 1. Review of notification of constr./ reconstr./ staiuu 2 8 16 1 2 681.

2. Review of notification of h s./ o r. changes 2 8 16 1 2 681 3. Review of notification of anticipated startup 2 8 16 1 2 681 4. Review of actual startup notification 2 8 16 1 2 681 5. Review of notification of demonstration of CMS N/ A 6. Review of notification of initial performance test N/ A 7. Review of report of initial test N/ A 8. Review of initial notification and implementation plan' 2 1 2 0 0 74 9. Review of semi annual notification of compliancestatus 2 160 320 16 32 13,270 10. Review of waiver application. N/ A TOTAL BURDEN AND COST ( SALARY) 386 20 4016,670 ' Costs assume a rate of $ 36.981hour for technical labor, $ 49.82/ hour for management labor, and $ 20hour for clerical labor. ' One time only cost.


[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30814-30815]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13861]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R04-OAR-2012-0166; FRL-9964-34-Region 4]

Air Plan Approval; FL: Revisions to New Source Review,
Definitions and Small Business Assistance Programs

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct
final action to approve changes to the Florida State Implementation
Plan (SIP) to update definitions and make administrative edits to
regulations for the Plantwide Applicability Limits and Florida's Small
Business Assistance program. EPA is proposing to approve portions of a
SIP revision submitted by the State of Florida, through the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection on July 1, 2011, to update
definitions and make administrative edits to Plantwide Applicability
Limits and the Small Business Assistance program. This action is being
taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R04-
OAR-2012-0166 at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot
be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish any comment
received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will
generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of
the primary submission (i.e. on the Web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment
policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general
guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: D. Brad Akers, Air Regulatory
Management Section, Air Planning and Implementation Branch, Air,
Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia
30303-8960. Mr. Akers can be reached via telephone at<PHONE_NUMBER> or
via electronic mail at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Final Rules Section of this Federal
Register, EPA is approving the State's implementation plan revision as
a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views
this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse
comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the
direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to
this rule, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse
comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public
comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on
this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on
this document. Any parties interested in commenting on this document
should do so at this time.

    Dated: June 15, 2017.
V. Anne Heard,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 4.
[FR Doc. 2017-13861 Filed 6-30-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P