Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52893-52895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0215; Product Identifier 2018-SW-088-AD; Amendment 
39-21181; AD 2020-15-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that 
published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Leonardo 
S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. As 
published, one service bulletin reference in the AD is incorrect. This 
document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original 
document remains the same.

DATES: This correction is effective September 3, 2020. The effective 
date of AD 2020-15-18 remains September 3, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2020 (85 FR 45773, July 30, 2020).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of 
Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) 
Italy; telephone +39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. You may view this 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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0215.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0215; 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, 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: Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5485; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AD 2020-15-18, Amendment 39-21181 (85 FR 
45773, July 30, 2020) (AD 2020-15-18), currently requires removal of 
affected shape memory alloy (SMA) inflation systems and installation of 
serviceable SMA inflation systems. That AD applies to certain Leonardo 
S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters.

Need for the Correction

    As published, paragraph (g) of the regulatory text of AD 2020-15-18 
contains an error in a reference to the service information. Paragraph 
(g) of the AD incorrectly identifies the service information ``Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 139-533, dated August 30, 2018 (ASB-139-
153)''. The second parenthetical reference to ``ASB-139-153'' is 
incorrect.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Leonardo Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 
139-533, dated August 30, 2018; ASB No. 169-099, dated August 30, 2018; 
and ASB No. 189-195, dated August 30, 2018. This service information 
describes procedures for removal of affected SMA inflation systems and 
installation of serviceable SMA inflation systems (including correcting 
the SMA inflation system by performing a reset procedure). These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different helicopter models. 
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.

Correction of Publication

    This document corrects an error and correctly adds the AD as an 
amendment to 14 CFR 39.13. Although no other part of the preamble or 
regulatory information has been corrected, the FAA is publishing the 
entire rule in the Federal Register.
    The effective date of this AD remains September 3, 2020.

[[Page 52894]]

Good Cause for Adoption Without Prior Notice

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency for ``good cause'' find 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Section 553(d)(3) of the APA requires that 
agencies publish a rule not less than 30 days before its effective 
date, except as otherwise provided by the agency for good cause found 
and published with the rule.
    Since this action only corrects a typographical error in a service 
bulletin reference, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, the FAA has determined that 
notice and public comment procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are 
unnecessary. For the same reason, the FAA finds that good cause exists 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this rule effective in less than 30 
days.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Correction

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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   [Corrected]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2020-15-18 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-21181; Docket No. FAA-2020-
0215; Product Identifier 2018-SW-088-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Leonardo S.p.A. helicopters identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, all serial numbers, 
equipped with an emergency flotation system (EFS) float assembly 
having part number (P/N) 3G9560V00332, 3G9560V00432, 3G9560V01432, 
or 3G9560V01532.
    (2) Model AW169 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with 
an EFS float assembly having any part number.
    (3) Model AW189 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with 
an EFS float assembly having P/N 8G9560V00331 or 8G9560V00431.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 3212, Emergency 
Flotation Section.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded deployment of the 
EFS due to improper accomplishment of the reset procedure of the 
shape memory alloy (SMA) inflation system actuation device. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address uncommanded EFS deployment, which 
could result in reduced control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Definitions

    (1) An ``affected part'' is an SMA inflation system having P/N 
3G9560V01052 (Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters), P/N 6F9560V00551 
(Model AW169 helicopters), or P/N 8G9560V01751 (Model AW189 
helicopters), as applicable, with a serial number specified in 
Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD except those which have been 
corrected in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 139-533, dated 
August 30, 2018 (ASB 139-533); Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 169-099, 
dated August 30, 2018 (ASB 169-099); or Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 
189-195, dated August 30, 2018 (ASB 189-195); as applicable.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27AU20.006

    (2) A ``serviceable part'' is an affected part that has been 
corrected in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 
139-533; ASB 169-099; or ASB 189-195; as applicable; or a part that 
is not affected.

(h) Removal and Installation

    At the applicable compliance time specified in Figure 2 to 
paragraph (h) of this AD, remove each affected part from the 
helicopter and install a serviceable part. This may be done in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 139-533; ASB 
169-099; or ASB 189-195; as applicable.

[[Page 52895]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27AU20.007

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
affected part on any helicopter.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, 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, 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2018-0208, dated September 20, 2018. This EASA AD may be found in 
the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0215.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft 
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone 817-222-5485; email [email protected].

(l) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
September 3, 2020 (85 FR 45773, July 30, 2020).
    (i) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-533, 
dated August 30, 2018.
    (ii) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 169-099, 
dated August 30, 2018.
    (iii) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 189-195, 
dated August 30, 2018.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, 
Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone 
+39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home.
    (5) You may view this 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.
    (6) 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: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 19, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2020-18620 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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