Comments Invited \n\n\n\tThis AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and the FAA did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, the FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. The FAA also invites comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the AD, 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 them only one time. The FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the comment period. The FAA will consider all the comments received and may conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments. \n\nDiscussion \n\n\n\tTransport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Emergency AD No. CF-2019-15, dated April 26, 2019, to correct an unsafe condition for Bell Canada Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers 57001 through 57363. Transport Canada advises of a report of an improperly installed curvic coupling part number (P/N) 429-012-120-101. This was discovered during installation of the tail rotor (T/R) hub and blade assembly when the teeth of the curvic coupling rested on top of each other instead of meshing together. Transport Canada further advises that this condition may result in loosening of the T/R assembly and subsequent vibration and loss of drive to the outboard T/R blades, which will result in degraded directional control. Therefore, the Transport Canada Emergency AD requires inspecting the T/R and correcting any defective conditions, as well as reporting any anomalies to Bell Canada. \n\nFAA's Determination \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 the Transport Canada AD. The FAA is issuing this AD because it has evaluated all information provided by Transport Canada and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type designs. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tBell has issued Alert Service Bulletin 429-19-45, dated April 16, 2019, for Model 429 helicopters, serial numbers 57001 through 57343, 57346 through 57349, 57352 through 57356, and 57362. This service information specifies inspecting the inboard and outboard curvic coupling teeth for proper engagement; inspecting for axial play between the inboard and outboard hub and blade assemblies; inspecting for play between the curvic coupling teeth and both inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth; inspecting the curvic coupling teeth for damage; inspecting the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth for damage; installing a serviceable T/R hub and blade assembly; performing a rigging check of the directional control system; and reporting any anomalies to Bell Canada. \n\tThis 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. \n\nAD Requirements \n\n\n\tThis AD requires inspecting the curvic coupling teeth for proper engagement with the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS). \n\tIf the teeth are not properly engaged, this AD requires removing the T/R hub and blade assembly and inspecting the curvic coupling teeth and the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth for a crack, wear, mechanical damage, and corrosion. Depending on the inspection results, this AD requires replacing parts. Then, with the T/R hub and blade assembly installed, this AD requires \n\n((Page 14788)) \n\nperforming a rigging check of the directional control system. \n\tIf the teeth are properly engaged, this AD requires inspecting for axial play between both the inboard and outboard T/R hub and blade assemblies. If there is axial play, this AD requires performing the inspections for a crack, wear, mechanical damage, and corrosion. If there is no axial play, this AD requires inspecting for play between the teeth of the curvic coupling and both the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth, and if play exists, this AD requires performing the inspections for a crack, wear, mechanical damage, and corrosion. \n\tLastly, this AD requires emailing information about the inspection results that resulted in the replacementof parts to Bell Canada. \n\nDifferences Between This AD and the Transport Canada AD \n\n\n\tThe Transport Canada Emergency AD requires reporting information within 3 days after the completion of the inspection, whereas this AD allows a compliance time of up to 10 days after completion of the inspection instead. This AD applies to fewer serial numbered Model 429 helicopters, listed in the applicability section, than the Transport Canada Emergency AD because certain serial numbered helicopters will have complied with the intent of this AD prior to delivery. \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 FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 88 helicopters of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. \n\tInspecting the curvic coupling teeth and the flapping bearing teeth for proper engagement requires about 0.5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,784 for the U.S. fleet. \n\tIf required, removing and installing the T/R hub and blade assembly to inspect the curvic coupling teeth and the inboard and outboard flapping bearing teeth for a crack, wear, mechanical damage, and corrosion requires about 0.5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $43 per helicopter. \n\tReplacing a curvic coupling requires about 0.5 work-hours and parts cost about $4,141 for an estimated cost of $4,184 per curvic coupling. \n\tReplacing a flapping bearing requires about 0.5 work-hours and parts cost about $19,948 for an estimated cost of $19,991 per flapping bearing. \n\tIf required, reporting information takes about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter. \n\nPaperwork Reduction Act \n\n\n\tA federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524. \n\nJustification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective Date \n\n\n\tSection 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.) 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 seeking comment prior to the rulemaking. \n\tAn unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the unsafe condition requires corrective action within 10 hours TIS. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the reasons stated above, 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. \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 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\tThe FAA determined that this 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, I certify that this AD: \n\t1. Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, and \n\t2. 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.