Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47875-47877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19535]



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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 11, 2019 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 47875]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0057; Product Identifier 2017-SW-119-AD; Amendment 
39-19729; AD 2019-18-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AW169 helicopters. This AD 
requires replacing the seals, filler wedges, and handles of each 
emergency exit window. This AD was prompted by a report that a high 
level of pushing force was required to jettison some windows. The 
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 16, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 16, 
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 a copy of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regualtions.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0057.

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-
0057; 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 service 
information that is incorporated by reference, the economic evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street 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: Matt Fuller, Senior 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

    On September 13, 2018, at 83 FR 46424, the Federal Register 
published the FAA's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which 
proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to 
Leonardo Model AW169 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 69007, 69009, 
69011 to 69019 inclusive, 69021 to 69024 inclusive, 69027, 69032, 
69033, 69041, 69045, and 69051. The NPRM proposed to require, within 70 
hours time-in-service (TIS), replacing the seals and filler wedges on 
various cockpit and passenger windows and replacing certain internal 
and external window straps. The NPRM also proposed to require replacing 
decals on certain internal and external passenger and cockpit windows. 
The proposed requirements were intended to ensure the jettisoning of 
helicopter emergency exit windows, possibly affecting the evacuation of 
occupants after an emergency landing.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2017-0155, dated August 23, 2017, 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo Model 
AW169 helicopters, S/N 69007, 69009, 69011 to 69019 inclusive, 69021 to 
69024 inclusive, 69027, 69032, 69033, 69041, 69045, and 69051. EASA 
advises that during scheduled replacement of emergency exit window 
seals on in-service Model AW189 helicopters, an ``excessively high'' 
level of pushing force was required to jettison some windows. Further 
investigation determined that the affected windows were incorrectly 
installed during manufacturing. The installation did not conform to the 
approved drawings during the first installation in the production line. 
According to EASA, due to the similarity in the manufacturing process, 
incorrect window installation may have occurred on Model AW169 
helicopters.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD, but 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 the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD 
because the FAA evaluated all information provided by EASA and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of the same type designs and that air 
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as 
proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Service Bulletin No. 169-032, Revision A, 
dated September 8, 2017, which specifies replacing the seals, the non-
metallic channels, handles, and decals on the cockpit doors and cabin 
emergency exit windows. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires that the corrective actions occur within 70 
hours TIS or 6 months. This AD requires that

[[Page 47876]]

the corrective actions occur within 70 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1 helicopter of U.S. 
Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, the FAA expects that 24 work-hours are needed to replace the 
decal, seal, filler wedges, and handle of each emergency exit window 
installed in cockpit doors and the cabin. Parts cost $1,500 for a total 
cost of $3,540 for this helicopter.
    According to Leonardo's service information some of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage by 
Leonardo. Accordingly, the FAA has included all costs in this 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.
    The FAA is 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 would 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 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.
    The FAA 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):

2019-18-02 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-19729; Docket No. FAA-2018-
0057; Product Identifier; 2017-SW-119-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AW169 
helicopters, serial numbers 69007, 69009, 69011 through 69019, 69021 
through 69024, 69027, 69032, 69033, 69041, 69045, and 69051, 
certificated in any category, where the emergency exit windows have 
never been removed and reinstalled.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of an emergency 
window to jettison, which could prevent occupants from evacuating 
the helicopter during an emergency.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 16, 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 70 hours time-in-service:
    (1) Replace the seals and filler wedges on the left hand (LH) 
and right hand (RH) cockpit door upper windows.

    Note  1 to paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of this AD: Leonardo refers 
to filler wedges as ``non-metallic channels.''

    (2) Replace the seals and filler wedges on the forward LH and RH 
passenger door windows. For helicopters without passenger sliding 
window kit part number (P/N) 6F5630F00411, also replace the seals 
and filler wedges of the aft LH and RH passenger door windows.
    (3) For helicopters with a strap P/N A487A003A, replace each 
strap with emergency exit window handle P/N 8G9500L00151 on the 
internal side of the window and P/N 8G9500L00251 on the external 
side of the window.
    (4) Remove any decal P/N A180A005E21 from the internal side of 
the passenger and cockpit windows and replace with decal P/N 
A180A022E21, using as a reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 of Leonardo 
Service Bulletin No. 169-032, Revision A, dated September 8, 2017 
(SB No. 169-032).
    (5) Remove any decal P/N A487A003A from the external side of the 
passenger and cockpit windows and replace with decals P/N 
AW003DE005E33B, using as a reference Figure 3 of SB No. 169-032.

 (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: 
Matt Fuller, Senior 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, the FAA suggests 
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. 2017-0155, dated August 23, 2017. You may view 
the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2018-0057.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5220, Emergency 
Exits.

 (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) Leonardo Service Bulletin No. 169-032, Revision A, dated 
September 8, 2017.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-
5110.

[[Page 47877]]

    (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, email [email protected], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 4, 2019.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-19535 Filed 9-10-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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