Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30866-30868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13605]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0648; Product Identifier 2017-SW-087-AD; Amendment 
39-19670; AD 2019-12-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 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 
Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD 
requires replacing screws installed on the left and right main landing 
gear (MLG) shock absorber assembly. This AD was prompted by a report 
that some screws may have been manufactured without meeting 
specifications. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 2, 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-2018-
0648; 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 final rule, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The address for Docket Operations 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: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
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

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Leonardo S.p.A. 
Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on July 19, 2018 (83 FR 34072). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report that some screws may have been manufactured without meeting 
specifications. The NPRM proposed to require replacing screws installed 
on the left and right MLG shock absorber assembly.
    We are issuing this AD to address an MLG shock absorber screw that 
does not meet specifications. This condition could result in failure of 
the MLG shock absorber, collapse or retraction of the MLG, and 
subsequent damage to the helicopter.
    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016-0077, dated April 19, 2016, 
to correct an unsafe condition for Finmeccanica S.p.A. (previously 
Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters if equipped with kit 
``Increased Gross Weight 6800 kg'' part number (P/N) 4G0000F00111 
(kit). EASA advises of a manufacturing issue with the standard screws 
(P/N NAS1351-5H12P) installed on MLG shock absorber assembly P/N 
1652B0000-01. According to EASA, a material analysis shows that the MLG 
shock absorber screws may have a lower fatigue life than the screws 
used during the certification fatigue tests. EASA states the affected 
MLG units have been identified by serial number (S/N). EASA also 
advises that this unsafe condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could result in failure of the MLG shock absorber, collapse or 
retraction of the MLG, and subsequent damage to the helicopter and 
injury to occupants.
    To correct this condition, the EASA AD requires replacing each 
standard screw with a new screw P/N 1652A0001-01 and re-identifying the 
S/N of each MLG shock absorber assembly that has the new screw 
installed, and prohibits installing any affected MLG shock absorber 
assembly unless the screw has been replaced.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement 
with the European Union, EASA 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 except for a minor editorial 
change to meet current publishing requirements. In the Required Actions 
paragraph, instances of ``Figure 1 to paragraph (a)'' have been changed 
to ``Figure 1 to paragraphs (a) and (e)(2).'' This minor editorial 
change is consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM and 
will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of this AD.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Finmeccanica Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-397, dated 
April 7, 2016, which contains procedures for replacing the standard 
screws installed on the left and right MLG assembly and for re-
identifying the MLG shock absorber assembly P/N and the MLG assembly S/
N.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 111 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD, based on an average labor rate of $85 per work-
hour.
    Replacing the screws on the left and right MLG assemblies requires 
about 16

[[Page 30867]]

work-hours and $200 for parts, for a total cost of $1,560 per 
helicopter and $173,160 for the U.S. fleet.
    According to Finmeccanica's service information, some of the costs 
of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by 
Finmeccanica. Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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.

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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):

2019-12-15 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-19670; FAA-2018-0648; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-087-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with an Increased Gross 
Weight 6,800 Kg kit part number (P/N) 4G0000F00111, and with a main 
landing gear (MLG) assembly with a P/N and serial number (S/N) 
listed in Figure 1 to paragraphs (a) and (e)(2) of this AD 
installed.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28JN19.001

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an MLG shock absorber 
screw that does not meet specifications. This condition could result 
in failure of the MLG shock absorber, collapse or retraction of the 
MLG, and subsequent damage to the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 2, 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

    (1) Within the following compliance times, replace each screw P/
N NAS1351-5H12P installed on an MLG shock absorber with a screw P/N 
1652A0001-01. Re-identify the MLG assembly using black permanent ink 
by marking an ``R'' at the end of the S/N of the MLG assembly and 
cover with a transparent coating. For purposes of this AD, a 
``landing'' is counted any time the helicopter lifts off into the 
air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing 
and regardless of whether the engine is shut down:
    (i) For MLG assemblies with 26,800 or more landings, within 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS).
    (ii) For MLG assemblies with between 22,000 and 26,799 landings, 
within 300 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates 27,200 
landings, whichever occurs first.
    (iii) For MLG assemblies with less than 22,000 landings, within 
1,200 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates 23,200 
landings, whichever occurs first.

[[Page 30868]]

    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an MLG 
assembly with a P/N and S/N listed in Figure 1 to paragraphs (a) and 
(e)(2) of this AD on any helicopter unless the screw has been 
replaced and the MLG assembly re-identified as described in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this this AD.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) 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: 
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 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.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Finmeccanica Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-397, dated April 7, 
2016, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 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. 2016-0077, dated April 19, 2016. You may 
view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0648.

 (i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3200, Landing Gear 
System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 19, 2019.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-13605 Filed 6-27-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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