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

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24551-24553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09414]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0943; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-001-AD; 
Amendment 39-17836; AD 2014-09-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta 
Model A109C, A109E, A109K2, and A119 helicopters. This AD requires a 
recurring visual inspection of the tail rotor (T/R) blade retaining 
bolts (bolts) for a crack, corrosion, damage, or missing cadmium 
plating in the central part of the bolt and, depending on findings, a 
liquid penetrant inspection. This AD also requires replacing a cracked 
or damaged bolt. This AD was prompted by two reported incidents of 
cracked bolts. The actions of this AD are intended to detect an 
unairworthy bolt and prevent failure of a bolt, release of a T/R blade, 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective June 5, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of June 5, 2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100, 21015 
Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-
664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bulletins. 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 European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) 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) 222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On November 20, 2013, at 78 FR 69595, the Federal Register 
published our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Agusta 
Model A109C, A109E, A109K2, and A119 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to 
require a recurring visual inspection of each bolt, part number (P/N) 
109-8131-09-1, for a crack, corrosion, a nick, other damage, or missing 
cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt. If a crack is not 
detected by the visual inspection, the NPRM proposed to require a 
liquid penetrant inspection. If there is a crack, corrosion, damage, or 
missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt, the NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the bolt before further flight. The NPRM 
also proposed to prohibit installing certain bolts on any helicopter 
unless it has passed the proposed inspections. The proposed 
requirements were intended to detect an unairworthy bolt and prevent 
failure of a bolt, release of a T/R blade, and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0009, dated January 11, 2013, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Agusta Model 
A109C, A109K2, A109E, and A119 helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA 
advises that cracks were reported in bolts, P/N 109-8131-09-1, 
installed on a Model A109K2 and a Model A109E helicopter. EASA further 
states that investigations conducted by Agusta revealed the cracks were 
in the same area of the bolts and corresponded with corrosion pits. 
EASA specified that this condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could cause damage to, or loss of, a T/R blade, possibly resulting in 
loss of control of the helicopter.

[[Page 24552]]

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 69595, 
November 20, 2013).

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.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is 
later identified, we might consider additional rulemaking.

Related Service Information

    AgustaWestland issued Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 109-135 for Model 
A109C helicopters, BT No. 109EP-125 for Model A109E helicopters, BT No. 
109K-55 for Model A109K2 helicopters, and BT No. 119-052 for Model A119 
helicopters. All of the BTs are dated December 19, 2012. The BTs 
specify to perform a visual inspection of bolt, P/N 109-8131-09-1, in 
accordance with the maintenance manual applicable to the model 
helicopter for condition, corrosion, and nicks. The BTs specify 
replacement of the bolt if there is any damage, even if minor, or if 
there is missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt. The 
BTs state that if a crack is not revealed from the visual inspection, 
then to perform a liquid penetrant inspection. The BTs further specify 
repeating the visual inspection of the bolts at intervals specific to 
the model helicopter. The BTs state the results of the inspections must 
be communicated to AgustaWestland.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate this AD affects 132 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We 
estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. We estimate it will take 2 work-hours to perform 
the initial visual and liquid penetrant inspections and 1 work-hour to 
perform each recurring visual inspection at an average labor cost of 
$85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, it will cost about $170 to 
perform the initial inspections and about $85 to perform each recurring 
visual inspection. A replacement bolt will cost approximately $1,067; 
no additional labor cost is expected for replacement.

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):

2014-09-01 AgustWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Agusta S.p.A) (Agusta) Helicopters: Amendment 39-17836; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0943; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-001-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Agusta Model A109C, A109E, A109K2, and A119 
helicopters with a tail rotor blade retaining bolt (bolt), part 
number 109-8131-09-1, installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a bolt. This 
condition could result in failure of a bolt, release of a tail rotor 
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 5, 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

    For each bolt with less than 400 hours time-in-service (TIS), 
before exceeding 500 hours TIS on the bolt, and for each bolt with 
400 or more hours TIS, before accumulating an additional 100 hours 
TIS or 2 months on the bolt, whichever occurs first:
    (1) Visually inspect each bolt for a crack, damage, corrosion, a 
nick, or missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt.
    (i) If there is a crack, corrosion, a nick, any other damage, or 
missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt, before 
further flight, replace the bolt with an airworthy bolt.
    (ii) If there is not a crack as a result of the initial visual 
inspection as required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, liquid-
penetrant inspect the bolt in accordance with Annex A of 
AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 109-135, BT No. 109EP-
125, BT No. 109K-55, or BT No. 119-052, all dated December 19, 2012, 
as applicable to your model helicopter. If there is a crack, before 
further flight, replace the bolt with an airworthy bolt.
    (2) Thereafter, for Agusta Model A109C helicopters, repeat the 
required actions of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD at intervals not to 
exceed 300 additional hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first. 
For Agusta Model A109E, A109K2, and A119 helicopters,

[[Page 24553]]

repeat the required actions of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD at 
intervals not to exceed 200 additional hours TIS or 6 months, 
whichever occurs first.
    (3) Do not install a bolt that has accumulated more than 400 
hours TIS on any helicopter unless it has passed the required 
actions of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) 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) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 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.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0009, dated January 11, 2013. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2013-0943.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor.

(i) 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) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-135, December 19, 
2012.
    (ii) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-125, December 
19, 2012.
    (iii) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109K-55, December 
19, 2012.
    (iv) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 119-052, December 19, 
2012.
    (3) For AgustaWestland service information identified in this 
AD, contact AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del 
Gregge, 100, 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio 
D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bulletins.
    (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 April 18, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-09414 Filed 4-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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