Background \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206, 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429, and 430 helicopters with a comfort clip installed; or that have been modified per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SH2073SO (installation of shoulder harness restraint system) or STC SH2751SO (installation of a passenger shoulder harness restraint system). \n\tThe NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2021 (86 FR 35410). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require, within 25 hours time- in-service (TIS) after the effective date of the proposed AD, removing from service each comfort clip and inspecting each shoulder harness seat belt for a rip and abrasion. If there is a rip or abrasion, the NPRM proposed to require removing the shoulder harness seat belt from service beforefurther flight. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing a comfort clip on any helicopter as of the effective date of the proposed AD. \n\tThe NPRM was prompted by Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16, dated June 14, 2018 (Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16), issued by Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-numbered Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429 and 430 helicopters. Transport Canada advises that Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited delivered comfort clips with some helicopters, and that these comfort clips, which were also sold as spare parts or accessories, were intended to improve occupant comfort by reducing shoulder harness tension. However, Transport Canada advises the comfort clip may interfere with the shoulder harness inertia reel, preventing the harness from locking and resulting in injury to the occupant during an emergency landing. To prevent this unsafe condition, Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16 requires, within 25 hours air time or 10 days, whichever occurs first, determining if the comfort clips are installed. If the comfort clips are installed, Transport Canada AD CF- 2018-16 requires removing them from service within 100 hours air time or 30 days, whichever occurs first, and inspecting each shoulder harness seat belt for damage and replacing any shoulder harness seat belt that has damage that exceeds allowable limits before further flight. Transport Canada AD CF-2018-16 also prohibits the installation of any comfort clip on any helicopter. \n\nDiscussion of Final Airworthiness Directive \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThese 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 reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters. \n\nRelated Service Information \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the following Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), each dated January 11, 2016: \n\tASB 222-15-112 for Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters with serial numbers (S/N) 47006 through 47089, 47131 through 47156, and 47501 through 47574 (ASB 222-15-112); \n\tASB 230-15-46 for Model 230 helicopters with S/N 23001 through 23038; \n\tASB 407-15-111 for Model 407 helicopters with S/N 53000 through 53900, 53911 through 54166, and 54300 through 54599; \n\tASB 427-15-39 for Model 427 helicopters with S/N 56001 through 56084, 58001 and 58002 (ASB 427-15-39); \n\tASB 429-15-27 for Model 429 helicopters with S/N 57001 through 57259 (ASB 429-15-27); and \n\tASB 430-15-56 for Model 430 helicopters with S/N 49001 through 49129. \n\tThe FAA also reviewed the following Bell Helicopter ASBs, both Revision A and both dated February 5, 2016: \n\tASB 206-15-133 for Model 206A/B and TH-67 helicopters with S/N 4 through 4690 and 5101 through 5313 (ASB 206-15-133); and \n\tASB 206L-15-175 for Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with S/N 45001 through 45153, 46601 through 46617, 45154 through 45790, 51001 through 51612, and 52001 through 52455 (ASB 206L- 15-175). \n\tAll of the ASBs specify removing all variants of comforts clips from all seat belt assemblies. ASB 222-15-112, ASB 427-15-39, and ASB 429-15-27 also specify that although the helicopter models to which these ASBs apply were not affected by the original design at the time of certification and delivery of the helicopter, the affected parts may have been installed post-delivery to end owners/operators of those helicopters. \n\tASB 206-15-133 and ASB 206L-15-175 also specify that helicopters that have been modified per STC SH2073SO (installation of shoulder harness restraint system) are affected and therefore included in the ASB applicability. \n\tASB 206L-15-175 also specifies that helicopters that have been modified per STC SH2751SO (installation of a passenger shoulder harness restraint system) are affected and therefore included in the ASB applicability. \n\nDifferences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD \n\n\n\tThis AD requires removing the comfort clip and inspecting the shoulder harness seat belt within 25 hours TIS; Transport Canada AD CF- 2018-16 requires inspecting for the presence of a comfort clip at 25 hours air time, or 10 days, whichever occurs first, and then requires removing the comfort clip, if installed. Transport \n\n((Page 50234)) \n\nCanada AD CF-2018-16 requires inspecting the shoulder harness seat belt for any damage that exceeds allowable limits within 100 hours air time or 30 days, whichever occurs first, whereas this AD requires the inspection within 25 hours TIS and removing any shoulder harness seat belt from service before further flight if there is any rip or abrasion. \n\tTransport Canada AD CF-2018-16 applies to all serial-numbered Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429 and 430 helicopters, whereas this AD applies to Model 206, 206A, 206A-1, 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, 429, and 430 helicopters with a comfort clip installed or helicopters that have been modified per STC SH2073SO (installation of shoulder harness restraint system) or STC SH2751SO (installation of a passenger shoulder harness restraint system). \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,347 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 AD. \n\tRemoving each comfort clip will take about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per clip and up to $807,368 for the U.S. fleet. \n\tReplacing a shoulder harness seat belt, if required, will take about 1 work-hour and parts will cost about $250 per shoulder harness seat belt, for an estimated cost of $335 per replacement. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tThe 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 findsnecessary 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 helicopters identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(3) 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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.