Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 184 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59411-59413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20748]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0258; Product Identifier 2018-SW-002-AD; Amendment 
39-21250; AD 2020-19-07]
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. Model AW169 helicopters. This AD requires modifying the 
weight on wheels (WoW) support installation on the main landing gear 
(MLG). This AD was prompted by a report that an inappropriately 
tightened WoW support could result in a rotation of the support and 
improper WoW switch performance. The actions of this AD are intended to 
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 27, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 27, 
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 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 https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0258.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-0258; 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, 
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, AD Program Manager, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

[[Page 59412]]


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 S.p.A. Model 
AW169 helicopters with left-hand (LH) main landing gear (MLG) assembly, 
part number (P/N) 6F3210V00132 or P/N 6F3210V00133, with serial number 
(S/N) MN01 through MN84 inclusive, or right-hand (RH) MLG assembly, P/N 
6F3210V00232 or P/N 6F3210V00233, with S/N MN01 to MN81, installed. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2020 (85 FR 14807). 
The NPRM proposed to require within 60 hours time-in-service (TIS), 
modifying the WoW support installation by:
    <bullet> Performing a short circuit connection between pin 26 of 
connector J343 and pin N of connector J319.
    <bullet> Cutting lockwire and disconnecting the WoW microswitch 
from the WoW support, removing from service nuts and bolts, and 
removing the WoW support from the MLG.
    <bullet> Removing any paint, cleaning areas, and applying Alodine 
1132 on cleaned surfaces.
    <bullet> Applying a 10 mm wide strip of structural glue EA934 on 
the WoW support, reinstalling the WoW support on the MLG, adding a 
specified torque to the nut, and cleaning off excess glue.
    <bullet> Curing the glue on the structures, performing a 
microswitch adjustment inspection for correct operation of the 
microswitch, and marking the MLG nameplate by adding the letter ``B'' 
at the end of the S/N. The NPRM also proposed prohibiting installing an 
affected LH or RH MLG assembly on any helicopter unless it has been 
modified in accordance with the proposed AD requirements.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2017-0255, dated December 22, 
2017, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters (formerly Finmeccanica Helicopter Division, 
AgustaWestland) Model AW169 helicopters, with LH MLG assembly P/N 
6F3210V00132 or P/N 6F3210V00133 and S/N MN01 to MN84 inclusive, and/or 
a RH MLG assembly P/N 6F3210V00232 or P/N 6F3210V00233 with S/N MN01 to 
MN81 inclusive installed, except those with an MLG modified per 
Magnaghi Aeronautica S.p.a. Service Bulletin SB-07-2017-AW169.
    EASA advises that an in-service event revealed that an 
inappropriately tightened WoW support could result in a rotation of 
this support and improper WoW switch performance. EASA advises this 
condition, if not corrected, could result in degraded attitude 
stabilization, possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. 
Accordingly, the EASA AD requires modification of the WoW support 
installation by introducing structural glue between the WoW support and 
the main fitting of the MLG.
    Additionally, the FAA updated the name Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters 
to Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters in this final rule and updated the 
contact information to obtain service documentation.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD, but the FAA 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 after 
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 60 hours TIS or 3 months, 
whichever occurs first, while this AD requires compliance within 60 
hours TIS.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
169-047, Revision A, dated February 19, 2018, for Model AW169 
helicopters. This service information specifies a WoW support bonding 
procedure on in-service helicopters by introducing structural glue 
between the WoW support P/N G1019/20-91 and the main fitting P/N G1019/
20-MF 105 to prevent a potential rotation of the support.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 3 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.
    Performing the short circuit connection, removing the WoW support 
from the MLG, removing any paint and cleaning areas, applying Alodine 
and a 10mm strip of structural glue, curing the glue, torqueing the 
nut, performing a microswitch adjustment, and marking the MLG nameplate 
takes about 8 work-hours and parts cost about $10 for an estimated cost 
of $690 per helicopter and $2,070 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.
    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 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. 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.

[[Page 59413]]

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 *COM007*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):

2020-19-07 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21250; Docket No. FAA-2020-
0258; Product Identifier 2018-SW-002-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with left-hand (LH) main landing gear 
(MLG) assembly, part number (P/N) 6F3210V00132 or P/N 6F3210V00133, 
with serial number (S/N) MN01 through MN84 inclusive, or right-hand 
(RH) MLG assembly, P/N 6F3210V00232 or P/N 6F3210V00233, with S/N 
MN01 to MN81 inclusive, installed. This AD does not apply to 
helicopters with an MLG that has been modified in accordance with 
Magnaghi Aeronautica S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. SB-07-2017-AW169, 
Issue 5, dated November 22, 2017. This AD does not apply to MLG that 
have a ``B'' on the end of the serial number.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an improperly tightened 
weight on wheels (WoW) support resulting in a rotation of the 
support and improper WoW switch performance, which if not corrected 
could lead to degraded attitude stabilization, and subsequent loss 
of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 27, 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) Within 60 hours time-in-service, modify the WoW support 
installation as follows:
    (i) Perform a short circuit connection between pin 26 of 
connector J343 and pin N of connector J319.
    (ii) Cut the lockwire that locks the WoW microswitch and 
disconnect the WoW microswitch from the WoW support as depicted in 
Figure 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 169-047, 
Revision A, dated February 19, 2018 (ASB 169-047).
    (iii) Unscrew the nut and remove the washer and bolt. Remove 
from service the nut and bolt, but replace the washer.
    (iv) Remove the WoW support from the MLG and remove any paint 
and clean areas where indicated by Figure 2 in ASB 169-047.
    (v) Apply Alodine 1132 on cleaned areas of WoW support and 
landing gear strut leaving a 10 mm wide strip on the WoW support for 
structural glue EA934 application.
    (vi) Apply a 10 mm wide strip of structural glue EA934 on the 
WoW support and install the WoW support on the MLG using a nut, 
bolt, and washer.
    (vii) Torque the nut to 2.5 thru 3.5 Nm. Clean any excess glue 
and cure the glue on the structures for one hour at 60 [deg]C/140 
[deg]F or eight days at room temperature (22 [deg]C-26 [deg]C/71.6 
[deg]F-78.8 [deg]F).
    (viii) Apply liquid jointing compound AMS-S-8802 Type 2 Class B, 
or equivalent, to the bolt and nut, as depicted in Figure 3 of ASB 
169-047 and perform a microswitch adjustment for correct operation 
of the microswitch.
    (ix) Mark the MLG nameplate by adding the letter ``B'' at the 
end of the S/N.
    (x) Remove the short circuit connection between pin 26 of 
connector J343 and pin N of connector J319 as performed in paragraph 
(e)(1)(i) of this AD.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
helicopter a LH or RH MLG assembly with a P/N and S/N listed in 
paragraph (a) of this AD unless it has been modified in accordance 
with the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD Program 
Manager, Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products 
Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 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 (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) No. 2017-
0255, dated December 22, 2017. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-0258.

(h) Subject

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

(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 Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 169-047, 
Revision A, dated February 19, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters 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.
    (4) 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.
    (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: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 9, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-20748 Filed 9-21-20; 8:45 am]
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