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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33339-33340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11256]



[[Page 33339]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20511; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-32-AD; 
Amendment 39-14117; AD 2005-12-01]
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 
Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E helicopters that requires, within 5 
hours time-in-service (TIS), locating relay K7212 and its associated 
cable in the overhead panel assembly and visually inspecting the 
electrical cable in the splice area for arcing or burns. If arcing or 
burns are found, this AD requires, before further flight, replacing an 
unairworthy cable with an airworthy cable kit. This AD is prompted by 
an overhead panel inspection report of incorrect crimping of the pins 
on the cable that connects to the relay. An electrical cable fault 
during assembly could result in arcing or burning of the cable junction 
at a relay in the overhead electrical panel. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect arcing or burns of the cable or relay 
and to prevent burning of the cable junction at a relay, a fire in the 
cockpit, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective July 13, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 13, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy, Via Giovanni 
Agusta 520, telephone 39 (0331) 229111, fax 39 (0331) 229605-222595.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains this AD, any comments, and 
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or at the 
Docket Management System (DMS), U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McCallister, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Safety Management Group, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0110, telephone (817) 222-5121, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend 14 CFR part 39 to 
include an AD for the specified model helicopters was published in the 
Federal Register on March 8, 2005 (70 FR 11165). That action proposed 
to require, within 5 hours TIS, locating relay K7212 and its associated 
cable in the overhead panel assembly and visually inspecting the 
electrical cable in the splice area for arcing or burns. If arcing or 
burns are found, this proposal would require, before further flight, 
replacing an unairworthy cable with an airworthy cable kit.
    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 carrying out the 
controls and modification called for by Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 
109EP-22, dated November 12, 2001 (BT 109EP-22).
    Agusta has issued BT 109EP-22, which specifies visually inspecting 
the cable for the possible presence of arcing or burns. If the presence 
of arcing or burns are found, the BT specifies modifying the direct 
current electrical system bus bar connections with a kit, P/N 109-0823-
01-101. ENAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
AD No. 2001-481, dated November 13, 2001, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these helicopters in Italy.
    This helicopter model is manufactured in Italy and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the 
applicable bilateral agreement, Italy has kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the findings of ENAC, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    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 with a change of names in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this AD. This change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.
    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 12 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. The required actions will take about \1/2\ work hour to 
visually inspect and 2.5 work hours to replace the cable per helicopter 
at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $707 per helicopter. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators to be $10,824 
assuming the cable is replaced on the entire fleet.

Regulatory Findings

    We have 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD. See the DMS to examine the economic evaluation.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 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.
    We are 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

[[Page 33340]]

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:

2005-12-01 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-14117. Docket No. FAA-2005-
20511; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-32-AD.

    Applicability: Model A109E helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 
11084 through 11113 except S/N 11096, 11103, 11105, 11106, 11107, 
11110, and 11111, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect arcing or burns of the cable or relay and to prevent 
burning of the cable junction at a relay, a fire in the cockpit, and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following:
    (a) Within 5 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the cable, 
part number (P/N) 109-0753-10, for arcing and burns in the splice 
area where it connects to relay K7212. Refer to Figures 1 and 3 of 
the Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-22, dated November 12, 2001 
(ABT) for the location of the cable and the relay in the cockpit 
overhead panel.
    (b) If arcing or burns are found, before further flight, replace 
the cable, P/N 109-0753-10, with an airworthy cable kit, P/N 109-
0823-01-101 and test the electrical system by following the 
Compliance Instructions, Part II, of the ABT.
    (c) 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.
    (d) Inspecting and replacing the cable and testing the 
electrical system must be done by following Agusta Bollettino 
Tecnico No. 109EP-22, dated November 12, 2001. 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 National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 13, 2005.

    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Ente Nazionale per 
l'Aviazione Civile (Italy) AD 2001-481, dated November 13, 2001.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 27, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11256 Filed 6-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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