((Page 43407)) \n\nBackground \n\n\n\tOn July 6, 2021, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2021-15-51 (Emergency AD 2021-15-51), which requires, before further flight, removing from service all part number (P/N) 204-012-104-005 pins with a serial number (S/N) prefix ''FNFS''. Emergency AD 2021-15-51 also prohibits installing the pin on any helicopter as of the emergency AD's effective date. The FAA sent Emergency AD 2021-15-51 to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. \n\tEmergency AD 2021-15-51 was prompted by a fatal accident on a Bell Textron Inc. Model 212 helicopter in which a pin P/N 204-012-104-005 with an S/N prefix ''FNFS'' sheared off during flight, which resulted in the main rotor blade and the main rotor head detaching from the helicopter. The pin had accumulated only 20 total hours time-in-service (TIS). An inspection of a different Model 212 helicopter revealed that another pin installed, and made by the same manufacturer and with the same S/N prefix, was deformed; this pin had accumulated only 29 total hours TIS. Failure of the pin could result in the main rotor blade detaching from the helicopter and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. \n\tPrior to the FAA issuing Emergency AD 2021-15-51, Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, issued Canadian Emergency AD CF-2021-23, dated July 5, 2021 (Transport Canada Emergency AD CF- 2021-23), to correct an unsafe condition for the following Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., helicopters: \n\tModel 204B helicopters, S/Ns 2001 through 2070 and 2196 through 2199; \n\tModel 205A-1 helicopters, S/Ns 30001 through 30065, 30067 through 30165, 30167 through 30187, 30189 through 30296, and 30298 through 30332; \n\tModel 205B helicopters, S/Ns 30066, 30166, 30188, and 30297; and \n\tModel 212 helicopters, S/Ns 30501 through 30999, 31101 through 31311, 32101 through 32142, and 35001 through 35103. \n\tTransport Canada advises that during an investigation of a Bell Textron Inc., Model 212 fatal accident in Canada, it was discovered that a pin P/N 204-012-104-005 with an S/N prefix ''FNFS'', sheared off during flight, leading to detachment of the main rotor blade and the main rotor head. The pin had accumulated only 20 hours of service, and inspection of another Canadian Bell Textron Inc., Model 212 helicopter found a pin of the same P/N, made by the same manufacturer, with the same S/N prefix ''FNFS'', to be deformed after only approximately 29 hours in service. According to Transport Canada, failure of a main rotor hub strap pin will result in detachment of the main rotor blade and loss of control of the helicopter. \n\tTransport Canada also advises that, although the defective pins were only reported on Bell Textron Inc., Model 212 helicopters, pins of the same P/N can also be installed on Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters. While the cause of failure has not been determined, as a precautionary measure and to address the risk of detachment of main rotor hub strap pins in flight, Bell has issued Alert Service Bulletins to require replacing all pins with P/N 204-012- 104-005 that have S/N prefix ''FNFS''. Accordingly, Transport Canada Emergency AD CF-2021-23 mandates replacement of affected pins. Transport Canada considers its emergency AD an interim action and states that further AD action may follow. \n\nFAA's Determination \n\n\n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD after evaluating all the relevant information and determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type designs. \n\nRelated Service Information \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the following Bell Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs), each dated July 5, 2021: \n\tASB 204B-21-74 for Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B helicopters, S/Ns 2001 through 2070 and 2196 through 2199; \n\tASB 205-21-117 for Bell Textron Inc., Model 205A and 205A- 1 helicopters, S/Ns 30001 through 30065, 30067 through 30165,30167 through 30187, 30189 through 30296, and 30298 through 30332; \n\tASB 205B-21-71 for Bell Textron Inc., Model 205B helicopters, S/Ns30066, 30166, 30188 and 30297; and \n\tASB 212-21-165 for Bell Textron Inc., Model 212 helicopters, S/Ns 30501 through 30999, 31101 through 31311, 32101 through 32142, and 35001 through 35103. \n\tThe ASBs specify removing all P/N 204-012-104-005 pins with an S/N prefix ''FNFS'' before further flight. The ASBs also specify that, although the investigation is still in progress, removing these pins from service is required. The ASBs state that these pins may not have been manufactured in accordance with the engineering design requirements and may therefore shear as a result of this nonconformance. \n\nAD Requirements \n\n\n\tThis AD requires removing from service all P/N 204-012-104-005 pins with an S/N prefix ''FNFS'' before further flight. This AD also prohibits installing this pin on any helicopter as of the effective date of this AD. \n\nInterim ActionThe FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking. \n\nJustification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective Date \n\n\n\tSection 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ''good cause,'' finds that those procedures are ''impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause. \n\tAn unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of Emergency AD 2021-15-51, issued on July 6, 2021, to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. The FAA found that the risk to the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because an urgent unsafe condition existed and corrective action was required before further flight. This condition still exists, therefore, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). \n\tIn addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forego notice and comment. \n\nComments Invited \n\n\n\tThe FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the docket number FAA 2021-0619 and Project Identifier AD-2021-00789-R at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing \n\n((Page 43408)) \n\ndate and may amend this final rule because of those comments. \n\tExcept 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 final rule. \n\nConfidential Business Information \n\n\n\tCBI 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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to David Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, DSCO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5786; email david.wilson@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. \n\nRegulatory Flexibility Act \n\n\n\tThe requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 160 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\tReplacing up to four pins takes about 20 work-hours and parts cost about $1,756 for four pins for an estimated cost of up to $3,456 per helicopter. \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 prescribingregulations 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. \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, and \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.