Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 20, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66469-66471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23019]



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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 203 / Tuesday, October 20, 2020 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 66469]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1003; Product Identifier 2018-SW-086-AD; Amendment 
39-21294; AD 2020-21-21]
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 
Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and 
AW119MKII helicopters. This AD requires removing certain main rotor (M/
R) floating ring assemblies from service. This AD also prohibits 
replacing any washer on any M/R floating ring assembly. This AD was 
prompted by a report of a washer debonding from the M/R floating ring 
assembly. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 24, 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.

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-2019-
1003; 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: Kristin Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation 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 A109E, 
A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters, with a M/R floating 
ring assembly part number (P/N) 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 
installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 9, 
2019 (84 FR 67251). The NPRM proposed to require removing from service 
any M/R floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-
103 with serial number (S/N) DA53295148-1, F86782, G130924, J31213, 
L99, L104, L107, L117, L127, L130, M215, P411, R687, R735, R769, R772, 
or V71. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing the affected M/R 
floating ring assemblies on any helicopter. Lastly, the NPRM proposed 
to prohibit replacing any washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on any M/R 
floating ring assembly installed on any helicopter. The proposed 
requirements were intended to prevent failure of the M/R floating ring 
assembly and significant increase of the pilot workload and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2018-0205, dated September 14, 
2018, 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. (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., 
Agusta S.p.A.; and AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, formerly 
Agusta Aerospace Corporation) Model A109E, A109S, A119, A109LUH, 
AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters with certain part-numbered M/R 
floating ring assemblies installed. EASA advises of a report of a 
washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 that debonded from the M/R floating ring 
assembly on a Model A109E helicopter. Investigation results revealed 
that the M/R floating ring assembly had been improperly repaired, and 
identified a batch of M/R floating ring assemblies that could also be 
affected. Due to design similarity, some of those M/R floating ring 
assemblies may be installed on other A109/A119 helicopter models.
    EASA further advises that this condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to failure of an affected M/R floating ring 
assembly and significant increase of the pilot workload, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. Accordingly, the EASA 
AD requires inspecting the M/R floating ring assembly to identify its 
S/N and depending on findings, replacing affected serial-numbered M/R 
floating ring assemblies. The EASA AD also prohibits installing those 
serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies on any helicopter and 
prohibits replacing washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on an M/R floating ring 
assembly installed on a helicopter.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule, but the FAA did not receive any comments on 
the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

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 of the 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

[[Page 66470]]

adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Model A109LUH helicopters, whereas this AD 
does not because that model is not FAA type-certificated.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. 109EP-163 for Model A109E helicopters; ASB No. 109S-084 for Model 
A109S helicopters; ASB No. 109SP-125 for Model AW109SP helicopters; and 
ASB No. 119-092 for Model A119 and AW119MKll helicopters, all Revision 
A and dated September 13, 2018. This service information contains 
procedures to identify the S/N of the M/R floating ring assembly and 
provides instructions for replacing the floating ring assembly if 
necessary. This service information also specifies replacing certain 
serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies and reporting certain 
information to Leonardo Helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 210 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.
    Inspecting the M/R floating ring assembly takes about 1 work-hour 
for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $17,850 for the U.S. 
fleet. Replacing an M/R floating ring assembly takes about 8 work-hours 
and parts cost about $5,500 for an estimated cost of $6,180 per 
floating ring assembly.
    According to Leonardo Helicopters, 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 
Helicopters. Accordingly, the FAA has included all costs in the 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 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.

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:

2020-21-21 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21294; Docket No. FAA-2019-
1003; Product Identifier 2018-SW-086-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Leonardo S.p.a. 
Model A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a main rotor (M/R) floating ring 
assembly part number (P/N) 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as disbonding of the washer 
from the M/R floating ring assembly. This condition could result in 
a significant increase of pilot workload and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 24, 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 25 hours time-in-service, remove from service any M/R 
floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 
with serial number (S/N) DA53295148-1, F86782, G130924, J31213, L99, 
L104, L107, L117, L127, L130, M215, P411, R687, R735, R769, R772, or 
V71.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Do not install any M/R floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-
09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 with S/N DA53295148-1, F86782, 
G130924, J31213, L99, L104, L107, L117, L127, L130, M215, P411, 
R687, R735, R769, R772, or V71 on any helicopter.
    (ii) Do not replace any washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on any M/R 
floating ring assembly installed on any helicopter.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kristin Bradley, 
Aerospace Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation 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.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 109EP-
163, ASB No. 109S-084, ASB No.109SP-125, and ASB No. 119-092, all 
Revision A and dated September 13, 2018, which are not incorporated 
by reference, contain 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 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 (now

[[Page 66471]]

European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 2018-0205, 
dated September 14, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-1003.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor 
Head.

    Issued on October 8, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-23019 Filed 10-19-20; 8:45 am]
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