AD NUMBER: 2017-13-03

PRODUCT: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: This AD requires adding an identification number to life-limited rod ends that do not have a serial number (S/N).

These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of Canada and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with Canada, Transport Canada, its technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in its AD.

The FAA is are issuing this AD because we 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 design and that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 70 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Marking the rod ends will take about 0.5 work-hour for a total estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and $3,010 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing a rod end that has exceeded its life limit will take about 3 work-hours and required parts will cost about $4,100 for an estimated replacement cost of $4,355 per rod end.

DATES: This AD is effective July 27, 2017.

FMI: AD