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

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7300-7302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01809]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0465; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-044-AD; 
Amendment 39-18089; AD 2015-02-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. (Type Certificate 
Currently Held by AgustaWestland 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 
AB139 and AW139 helicopters to require replacing certain single-braided 
flexible hydraulic hoses with double-braided flexible hydraulic hoses. 
This AD was prompted by occurrences of leaking flexible hydraulic 
hoses. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent loss of hydraulic 
power and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of March 17, 2015.

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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0465.

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: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On July 16, 2014, at 79 FR 41464, 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 Agusta Model AB139 and 
AW139 helicopters with a flexible hydraulic hose, part number (P/N) 
A494AE2E00E0670X, A494AE3E00E0424X, A494AE3E00E0530X, A494AE3E00E0570X, 
A494AE3E00E0580X, A494AE3E00E0620X, A494AE3E00E0930X, A494AE6E14E0348X, 
or A494AE6E21E0330X, installed. The NPRM proposed to require replacing 
these single-braided flexible hydraulic hoses with double-braided 
flexible hydraulic hoses. The proposed requirements were intended to 
prevent loss of hydraulic power and subsequent loss of helicopter 
control.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. AD No. 2013-0177, dated August 8, 
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 AB139 and AW139 helicopters. EASA advises that leaking hydraulic 
system flexible hoses have been reported on in-service helicopters. An 
investigation indicated that single braided flexible hydraulic hoses, 
which are part of the original design for Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters, may not be strong enough to cope with the hydraulic system 
pressure over long periods. If not corrected, this condition could lead 
to other hydraulic system leaks, possibly resulting in loss of 
hydraulic power and reduced control of the helicopter, EASA

[[Page 7301]]

advises. EASA consequently requires that the flexible single-braided 
hydraulic hoses be replaced with flexible double-braided hydraulic 
hoses.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 41464, July 16, 
2014).

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 replacing the flexible single-braided 
hydraulic hoses within 300 flight hours or 6 months, whichever occurs 
first. This AD requires that the flexible single-braided hydraulic 
hoses be replaced within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS). TIS and 
flight hours are synonymous.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    AgustaWestland Bolletino Tecnico No. 139-307, dated June 19, 2013 
(BT), calls for replacing certain single braided flexible hydraulic 
hoses with double braided flexible hydraulic hoses for Model AB139 and 
AW139 helicopters. The BT states that the replacement should be 
conducted within 300 flight hours or six months from receipt of the BT, 
whichever comes first, to prevent in-service leaks. This service 
information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access 
this service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 115 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect that replacing the flexible single-braided 
hydraulic hoses with flexible double-braided hydraulic flexible hoses 
will require 6 work-hours for a labor cost of $510. Parts cost $3,089 
for a total cost of $3,599 per helicopter, and $413,885 for the U.S. 
fleet.

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):

2015-02-21 Agusta S.p.A. (Type certificate currently held by 
AgustaWestland S.p.A.) (Agusta) Helicopters: Amendment 39-18089; 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0465; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-044-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with 
a flexible hydraulic hose, part number (P/N) A494AE2E00E0670X, 
A494AE3E00E0424X, A494AE3E00E0530X, A494AE3E00E0570X, 
A494AE3E00E0580X, A494AE3E00E0620X, A494AE3E00E0930X, 
A494AE6E14E0348X, or A494AE6E21E0330X, installed, certificated in 
any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a leak in a hydraulic 
system flexible hose. This condition could result in loss of 
hydraulic power and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective March 17, 2015.

(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

    (1) Within 300 hours time-in-service, replace each flexible 
hydraulic hose with a double braided flexible hydraulic hose in 
accordance with the Compliance Instructions, Part I, paragraphs 5 
through 7; Part II, paragraphs 5 through 7; Part III, paragraphs 5 
through 6; Part IV, paragraphs 5 through 6; and Part V, paragraphs 5 
through 7; as applicable for your helicopter serial number and 
configuration, of AgustaWestland Bolletino Tecnico No. 139-307, 
dated June 19, 2013.
    (2) Do not install a flexible hydraulic hose, P/N 
A494AE2E00E0670X, A494AE3E00E0424X, A494AE3E00E0530X, 
A494AE3E00E0570X, A494AE3E00E0580X, A494AE3E00E0620X, 
A494AE3E00E0930X, A494AE6E14E0348X, or A494AE6E21E0330X, on any 
helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Wilbanks, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 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

[[Page 7302]]

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. 2013-0177, dated August 8, 2013. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2014-0465.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2910, Hydraulic 
System, Main.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 Bolletino Tecnico No. 139-307, dated June 19, 
2013.
    (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 January 16, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01809 Filed 2-9-15; 8:45 am]
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