Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77565-77567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30187]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0604; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-110-AD; 
Amendment 39-17705; AD 2013-25-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This 
AD requires inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) pin installations 
for incorrect assembly. This AD is prompted by reports of incorrectly 
installed pins discovered on in-service aircraft. These actions are 
intended to detect incorrectly installed pins, which could result in 
collapse of the NLG during taxi or landing.

DATES: This AD is effective January 28, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of January 28, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Agusta Westland, Customer Support & Services, Via Per Tornavento 15, 
21019 Somma Lombardo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Giovanni Cecchelli; telephone 
39-0331-711133; fax 39 0331 711180; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins. You may review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the foreign authority's AD, 
any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5328; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On July 12, 2013, at 78 FR 41888, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to add an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered 
AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with 
an NLG pin part number 1661-0001 installed. The NPRM proposed to 
require, within 50 hours time in service (TIS), inspecting the pin 
installations in the left and right arms for correct installation of 
the pin, bolts, washers, and nuts.
    <bullet> If the installation is not correct, the NPRM proposed to 
require:
    [cir] Inspecting the bolt and nut for corrosion and removing the 
bolt and nut from service if there is corrosion.
    [cir] Inspecting the pin for corrosion, a crack, and damage, 
removing the corrosion and measuring the pin diameter if there is any 
corrosion, and removing the pin from service if the pin diameter is 
less than 25.36 mm (.998 in) or if there is a crack in the pin.
    [cir] Dye penetrant inspecting the pin flange for surface cracks 
and removing the pin from service if there is a surface crack.
    <bullet> If the installation is correct, the NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting the bolt head and nut for corrosion and removing the 
bolt or nut from service if there is any corrosion.
    The proposed requirements were intended to detect incorrectly 
installed pins, which could result in collapse of the NLG during taxi 
or landing.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2012-0262, dated December 14, 2012, 
issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct 
an unsafe condition for the Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. 
EASA advises that incorrectly installed NLG pins, part number 1661-
0001, were discovered on several aircraft. Incorrectly installed pins 
create a pre-stress condition on the pin flange. According to EASA, a 
subsequent technical investigation by Agusta concluded that the 
incorrect installation could be present on a number of other 
helicopters. EASA states that this condition could lead to NLG 
structural failure and consequent collapse during landing or taxi, 
resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury to the occupants. EASA 
AD 2012-0262 requires inspecting the NLG pin installation on both the 
left and right arms to determine if the pin, washers, and nuts are 
correctly installed and, depending on findings, inspecting the bolts, 
nuts, and pins for corrosion, and also inspecting the pins for surface 
cracks, and correctly installing the pins.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 41888, 
July 12, 2013).

[[Page 77566]]

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Italy and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Italy, EASA, its technical representative, 
has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the EASA AD. We 
are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by 
EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist 
or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs and that air 
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as 
proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 50 flight hours or 1 month, 
while this proposed AD requires compliance within 50 hours TIS.

Related Service Information

    Agusta has issued Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-306, dated December 
12, 2012 (BT 139-306), for Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. BT 139-
306 describes procedures to inspect for correct installation of the 
bolts, nuts, washers, and pins, inspecting the bolt head and nut for 
corrosion, and inspecting the pins for surface cracks.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 102 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, 
inspecting the nose landing gear arm pins will require about 1 work 
hour, for a cost per helicopter of $85 and a total cost to U.S. 
operators of $8,670. If required, replacing a pin will require about 1 
work hour, and required parts cost $1,680, for a cost per helicopter of 
$1,765. The cost to replace a bolt or nut is minimal.

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 helicopters identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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 this AD:
    (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);
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    (4) 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2013-25-09 AGUSTAWESTLAND S.P.A. (TYPE CERTIFICATE FORMERLY HELD BY 
AGUSTA S.P.A.) HELICOPTERS: Amendment 39-17705; Docket No. FAA-2013-
0604; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-110-AD

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 
and AW139 helicopters, serial number 31005, 31006, 31008 through 
31157, 31201 through 31398, 31400 through 31412, 31414, 31416, 
31418, 31419, 31421, 31425, 31426, 31428, 31432, 31440, 41001 
through 41023, 41201 through 41275, 41277 through 41286, 41288, 
41293, 41300, 41301, 41303, 41307, 41308, and 41310, with a nose 
landing gear (NLG) pin part number 1661-0001 installed, certificated 
in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an incorrect 
installation of an NLG pin, which could result in collapse of the 
NLG during taxi or landing.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 28, 2014.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 50 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Inspect the NLG pin installations on the left and right arms 
to determine whether the bolt (item 2), washer (item 3) under the 
bolt head, washer (item 4) between the NLG arm and pin, pin (item 
5), washer (item 6) under the nut, nut (item 7), and cotter pin 
(item 8) are installed as depicted in Figure 1 of Agusta Bollettino 
Tecnico (BT) No. 139-306, dated December 12, 2012 (BT 139-306).
    (2) If any part is not installed as depicted in Figure 1 of BT 
139-306, before further flight, disassemble items 2 through 8 and 
accomplish the following:
    (i) Inspect each bolt and nut for corrosion. If there is any 
corrosion on a bolt or nut, remove the bolt and nut from service.
    (ii) Inspect each pin for corrosion and damage. If there is any 
corrosion or damage:
    (A) Remove the corrosion and damage with an abrasive stone or 
glass fiber brush.
    (B) Measure the pin diameter. If the pin diameter is less than 
25.36 mm (0.998 inch), remove the pin from service.
    (iii) Inspect each pin for a crack. If there is a crack, remove 
the pin from service.
    (iv) Dye penetrant inspect the pin flange for a crack. If there 
is a crack, remove the pin from service.
    (3) If items 2 through 8 are installed as depicted in Figure 1 
of BT 139-306, inspect each bolt head and nut for corrosion. If 
there is any corrosion on a bolt head or nut, before further flight, 
remove the bolt or nut from service.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5328; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under

[[Page 77567]]

14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office or certificate holding 
district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this 
AD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) The Aircraft Maintenance Plan, DM No. 39-A-60-40-00-01A-
351A-D, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional 
information about the subject of this AD. For service information 
identified in this AD, contact Agusta Westland, Customer Support & 
Services, Via Per Tornavento 15, 21019 Somma Lombardo (VA) Italy, 
ATTN: Giovanni Cecchelli; telephone 39-0331-711133; fax 39 0331 
711180; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins. 
You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No. 2012-0262, dated December 14, 2012, which you 
may view in the AD Docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 2013-0604.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3221: Nose Landing 
Gear Attach Section.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Agusta Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 139-306, dated December 
12, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Agusta service information identified in this AD, 
contact Agusta Westland, Customer Support & Services, Via Per 
Tornavento 15, 21019 Somma Lombardo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Giovanni 
Cecchelli; telephone 39-0331-711133; fax 39 0331 711180; or at 
http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 5, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30187 Filed 12-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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