Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4231-4232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1686]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-SW-28-AD; Amendment 39-13438; AD 2004-02-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
the specified Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) model helicopters that requires 
modifying each passenger compartment sliding door (door) by applying a 
kit to replace the levers and links. This amendment is prompted by 
instances of a door inadvertently opening during flight due to the 
unstable configuration of the door. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent the inadvertent opening of a door during flight 
and loss of a passenger or other objects from the cabin.

DATES: Effective March 4, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 4, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy, Via 
Giovanni Agusta 520, telephone 39 (0331) 229111, fax 39 (0331) 229605-
222595. This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort 
Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Monschke, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5116, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified Agusta model helicopters was published 
in the Federal Register on October 22, 2003 (68 FR 60300). That action 
proposed to require modifying the doors by installing a new lever and 
link and other hardware contained in kits, part number (P/N) 109-0823-
25-101 (left hand) and P/N 109-0823-25-102 (right hand).
    The Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), the airworthiness 
authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on Agusta Model A109E helicopters. ENAC advises that the doors 
should be modified.
    Agusta has issued Alert Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-33, dated 
March 19, 2003 (ABT), which specifies modifying the opening and closing 
mechanism of the passenger compartment sliding doors by installing a 
new lever and a new link to avoid the possibility of the mechanism not 
reaching the stowed position. Agusta reports the accidental opening 
during flight of one of the doors, on a few helicopters, without any 
harm to the passengers. ENAC classified this ABT as mandatory and 
issued AD No. 2003-109, dated March 27, 2003, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these helicopters in Italy.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 34 helicopters of U.S. 
registry, and the required actions will take approximately 4 work hours 
per helicopter to accomplish at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $3000 per helicopter. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators to be $110,840 ($3260 per helicopter). However Agusta 
states in its ABT that it will supply the parts at no cost and will 
reimburse up to 4 work hours to modify the doors at a fixed rate of 
$40. Assuming this warranty coverage, the estimated total cost impact 
of this AD on U.S. operators is $3400 ($100 per helicopter).
    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect on

[[Page 4232]]

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. Therefore, it is determined that this 
final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

2004-02-03 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-13438. Docket No. 2003-SW-28-
AD.

    Applicability: Model A109E helicopters, up to and including 
serial number (S/N) 11150 with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Inc. PW206C 
engines, and S/N 11501 through 11509 with Turbomeca Arrius TM2K1 
engines, with a passenger compartment sliding door (door), part 
number (P/N) 109-0360-48-101 (left-hand (LH)), P/N 109-0360-48-102 
(right-hand (RH)), P/N 109-0360-48-201 (LH), or P/N 109-0360-48-202 
(RH), installed, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within 90 days, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the inadvertent opening of a door and loss of a 
passenger or other objects from the cabin, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the doors by replacing levers, P/N 109-0362-30-103 
(LH) and P/N 109-0362-30-104 (RH), and links , P/N 109-0362-05-101; 
with levers P/N 109-0362-30-109 (LH) and P/N 109-0362-30-110 (RH), 
and links, P/N 109-0362-05-105, and the hardware contained in kits, 
P/N 109-0823-25-101 (LH) and P/N 109-0823-25-102 (RH) in accordance 
with the Compliance Instructions in Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 
109 EP-33, dated March 19, 2003.
    (b) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Contact the Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
for information about previously approved alternative methods of 
compliance.
    (c) The modification shall be done in accordance with Agusta 
Bollettino Tecnico No. 109 EP-33, dated March 19, 2003. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy, 
Via Giovanni Agusta 520, telephone 39 (0331) 229111, fax 39 (0331) 
229605-222595. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on March 4, 2004.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Ente Nazionale per 
l'Aviazione Civile (Italy) AD No. 2003-109, dated March 27, 2003.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 16, 2004.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1686 Filed 1-28-04; 8:45 am]
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