Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 176 (Thursday, September 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55781-55783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19906]



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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 176 / Thursday, September 10, 2020 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 55781]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0554; Product Identifier 2016-SW-088-AD; Amendment 
39-21245; AD 2020-19-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD 
requires removing certain main gearbox (MGB) input modules from 
service. This AD was prompted by the discovery that a batch of duplex 
bearings, which are installed on the MGB input modules, are defective. 
The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 15, 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 service information 
at the FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 817-222-5110.

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-
0554; 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 (now European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-
5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Leonardo Model AB139 
and AW139 helicopters with certain serial-numbered MGB input modules 
part number (P/N) 3K6320A00135 or P/N 3K6320A00136 installed. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on June 8, 2020 (85 FR 35018). The 
NPRM proposed to require removing the affected MGB input modules from 
service and prohibit installing the affected MGB input modules. The 
proposed requirements were intended to address defective duplex 
bearings on MGB input modules, which could result in damage including 
corrosion and cracking, which could result in excessive heat of the 
input module duplex ball bearing inner race and subsequent loss of 
engine power and loss of helicopter control.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2016-0255R1, dated January 17, 
2017 (EASA AD 2016-0255R1), issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe 
condition for Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland 
Philadelphia Corporation, Agusta Aerospace Corporation) Model AB139 and 
AW139 helicopters with certain serial-numbered MGB input modules P/N 
3K6320A00135 or P/N 3K6320A00136 installed. EASA advises that the 
supplier of a batch of duplex bearings installed on MGB input modules 
reported that the bearings were defective, due to a quality control 
issue. This condition, if not detected or corrected, could lead to 
damage of the input module duplex ball bearing inner race, possibly 
resulting in loss of engine power and reduced control of the 
helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2016-0255R1 requires removing the 
affected MGB input modules from service.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received one comment in support of 
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 about the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an 
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of 
the same type designs.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires returning affected parts and sending 
information to Leonardo; however, this AD does not.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-
303, dated September 20, 2016, which specifies replacing certain duplex 
bearings on MGB left-hand and right-hand input modules on Model AB139 
and AW139 helicopters.

 Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 71 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Replacing one input module takes about 60 work-hours and parts cost 
about $84,847 for an estimated cost of $89,947 per input module. 
Replacing two input modules takes about 100 work-hours and parts cost 
about $169,694 for an estimated cost of $178,194 per two input modules.

[[Page 55782]]

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 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):

2020-19-04 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21245; Docket No. FAA-2020-
0554; Product Identifier 2016-SW-088-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters, certified in any category, with main gearbox (MGB) 
input module part number (P/N) 3K6320A00135 with serial number (S/N) 
KHI-200 or P/N 3K6320A00136 with an S/N listed in Table 1 to this 
paragraph installed.
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[[Page 55783]]

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as defective duplex 
bearings on MGB input modules, due to a quality control issue. This 
condition could result in damage including corrosion and cracking, 
which could result in excessive heat of the input module duplex ball 
bearing inner race and subsequent loss of engine power and loss of 
helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 15, 2020.

(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) If the P/N and S/N of both MGB input modules are listed in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS), 
remove from service each MGB input module.
    (2) If the P/N and S/N of only one MGB input module are listed 
in paragraph (a) of this AD, within 1,200 hours TIS, remove from 
service that MGB input module.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an MGB 
input module with a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph (a) of this AD 
on any helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy 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

    (1) Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-303, dated 
September 20, 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, 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 a copy of the 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 (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
No. 2016-0255R1, dated January 17, 2017. You may view the EASA AD on 
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-
0554.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320, Rotor Drive-
Gearbox.

    Issued on September 3, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-19906 Filed 9-9-20; 8:45 am]
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