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

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61525-61527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26071]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1081; Product Identifier 2017-SW-090-AD; Amendment 
39-19510; AD 2018-24-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland 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 
Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AW189 helicopters. This AD requires 
replacing the tail plane lower fitting with an improved tail plane 
lower fitting. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the tail 
plane fittings of Model AW189 helicopters. The actions of this AD are 
intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of 
Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) 
Italy; telephone +39-0331-711756; fax +39-0331-229046; or at http://www.leonardocompany.com/-/bulletins. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1081; or in person at Docket Operations 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 
Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On May 23, 2018, at 83 FR 23827, 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 AgustaWestland S.p.A. (now 
Leonardo) Model AW189 helicopters with a tail plane lower fitting part 
number (P/N) 8G5350A07051 installed. The NPRM proposed to require 
replacing the tail plane lower fitting with an improved tail plane 
lower fitting. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a 
crack on a tail plane fitting, which could result in failure of the 
tail plane fitting and loss of helicopter control.

[[Page 61526]]

    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016-0161, dated August 8, 2016 
(EASA AD 2016-0161), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition 
for Leonardo Model AW189 helicopters. EASA advises that some cracks 
have been reported in-service on the tail plane fitting of AW189 
helicopters following an onset of abnormal play. According to EASA, 
this condition, if not detected and corrected, could jeopardize 
structural integrity of the helicopter. EASA further advises that 
Leonardo developed a tail plane lower fitting with an improved design 
(P/N 8G0000P00511). Accordingly, EASA AD 2016-0161 requires repetitive 
inspections of the tail plane lower fitting assembly until the improved 
tail plane lower fitting is installed.
    When the NPRM was issued, the FAA was in the process of updating 
AgustaWestland's name changes to Finmeccanica S.p.A. and then to 
Leonardo Helicopters on its FAA type certificate; therefore the NPRM 
specified AgustaWestland as the type certificate holder. Because this 
name change is now effective, this AD applies to Leonardo helicopters.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM.

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 
Italy 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 except for the name change from AgustaWestland to Leonardo. We 
have also updated the estimated costs to reflect that this AD affects 4 
helicopters of U.S. Registry rather than 2 helicopters. These changes 
are consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM (83 FR 
23827, May 23, 2018) and will not increase the economic burden on any 
operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires inspecting the tail plane lower fitting for 
play within 50 flight hours and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
25 flight hours. If a crack or other damage exists, the EASA AD 
requires the improved tail plane lower fitting be installed within 10 
flight hours. If no crack exists, the EASA AD requires that the 
improved tail plane lower fitting be installed within 200 flight hours 
or 2 months, whichever occurs first. This AD does not require 
inspections and requires installing the improved tail plane lower 
fitting within 50 hours time-in-service.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 189-
038, Revision B, dated October 13, 2016, which specifies repetitively 
inspecting the tail plane assembly for a crack.
    We also reviewed BT No. 189-070, Revision A, dated October 13, 
2016, which provides instructions for replacing the tail plane lower 
fitting with the improved tail plane lower fitting retromodification P/
N 8G0000P00511.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S. Registry and 
that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates, we 
expect that replacing the tail plane lower fitting with an improved 
tail plane lower fitting requires 64 work-hours and parts cost $15,424 
for a total cost of $20,864 per helicopter and $83,456 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):

2018-24-06 Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously held by 
Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.): Amendment 39-19510; 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1081; Product Identifier 2017-SW-090-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously 
held by Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW189 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail plane lower 
fitting part number (P/N) 8G5350A07051 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack on a tail plane 
fitting, which could result in failure of the tail plane fitting and 
loss of helicopter control.

[[Page 61527]]

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective January 4, 2019.

(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, install tail plane 
retromodification kit P/N 8G0000P00511.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, Safety Management Section, 
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; 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

    (1) Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 189-038, 
Revision B, and BT No. 189-070, Revision A, both dated October 13, 
2016, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional 
information about the subject of this AD. For service information 
identified in this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo 
Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di 
Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39-0331-711756; fax +39-0331-229046; 
or at http://www.leonardocompany.com/-/bulletins. You may review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2016-0161, dated August 8, 2016. You may 
view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1081.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5510, Horizontal 
Stabilizer Structure.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 21, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26071 Filed 11-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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