Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 47 (Friday, March 12, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13987-13989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05147]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1139; Product Identifier 2018-SW-056-AD; Amendment 
39-21447; AD 2021-05-04]
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 
certain serial-numbered Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109S and 
AW109SP helicopters. This AD requires installing a placard in the 
baggage compartment, revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual 
(RFM) for your helicopter, and inspecting the installation of the 
terminal lugs. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, this AD 
requires restoring the installation of the terminal lugs. This AD would 
also require modifying the helicopter to shim the baggage fairing assy 
(fwd up) away from the circuit breaker panel and incorporating 
protective coverings. This AD was prompted by reports of several 
occurrences of fire ignition and smoke in the baggage compartment. The 
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 16, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of April 16, 2021.

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. It is 
also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1139.

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-
1139; 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 service information that is 
incorporated by reference, 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 A109S 
helicopters, serial number (S/N) 22702, 22703, 22705, and 22706 and 
AW109SP helicopters with S/N up to 22386 inclusive, except S/N 22375 
and S/N 22376. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 
21, 2020 (85 FR 82972). The NPRM proposed to require, before further 
flight, for certain serial-numbered helicopters, installing a placard 
and revising the existing RFM for your helicopter. The NPRM also 
proposed to require within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), for certain 
model helicopters, inspecting the installation of the terminal lugs, 
shimming the installation of the baggage fairing assembly (fwd up), and 
installing a silicon rubber protection over the blind rivets of the 
hinge in accordance with certain applicable service information. The 
NPRM also proposed to require within 10 hours TIS and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS until protective coverings are 
installed, removing the baggage fairing assembly (fwd up), removing the 
rubber protections, and inspecting the cable assembly routing of both 
circuit breaker panels for damage. Depending on the outcome of these 
inspections, the NPRM proposed to require repairing or replacing 
certain parts. The NPRM also proposed to require, within 200 hours TIS, 
modifying the helicopter to incorporate a certain protective coverings, 
which would provide a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent fire in 
the baggage department.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA Emergency AD No. 2018-0120-E, dated 
May 29, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0120-E), 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.) Model A109S and AW109SP 
helicopters. EASA advises that an occurrence was reported on an AW109SP 
helicopter experiencing fire ignition and smoke in the baggage 
compartment. The investigation determined the event was due to chafing 
of electrical wiring and further analysis indicated that due to 
similarity of design, this event could also occur on A109S helicopters. 
Accordingly, the EASA AD requires modification of the affected baggage 
fairing assembly (fwd up) part number (P/N) 109-0344-31-101 and 
temporarily amending the existing RFM and installing a placard 
prohibiting carrying any loads in the baggage compartment.
    After EASA AD 2018-0120-E was issued, a second occurrence was 
reported of fire ignition and smoke in the baggage compartment, and as 
a precautionary measure, Leonardo Helicopters issued a series of 
emergency alert service bulletins providing instructions to prevent 
damage of electrical assemblies in the baggage compartment. 
Accordingly, EASA issued EASA Emergency No. 2018-0149-E, dated July 13, 
2018 (EASA AD 2018-0149-E), which retains the requirements of EASA AD 
2018-0120-E, and also requires repetitive inspections of the baggage 
compartment electrical assemblies and depending on the inspection 
outcomes, repairing or replacing certain parts. Also, EASA AD 2018-
0149-E expands the applicability to include three additional serial-
numbered helicopters, and requires a modification, which acts as a 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

[[Page 13988]]

Comments

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

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in 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 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 adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD uses compliance times in terms of calendar dates, 
whereas this AD uses compliance times terms of in hours TIS.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA has reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin (EASB) No. 109S-079, and Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109SP-
120, each Revision A, and each dated June 4, 2018. This service 
information specifies instructions for manufacturing a placard for the 
baggage compartment door and also specifies instructions for modifying 
and inserting a specific cutout into the existing RFM. This service 
information also specifies instructions for removing the baggage 
fairing assembly (fwd up) and the rubber protections, inspecting the 
cable assemblies routing of both circuit breaker panels, and inspecting 
the installation of the terminal lugs.
    The FAA also reviewed Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109SP-122, and 
Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109S-081, each dated July 5, 2018, which 
specify procedures for modifying the helicopter by incorporating 
protective coverings.
    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 15 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD.
    Installing a placard and revising the existing RFM for your 
helicopter takes about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per 
helicopter and $1,275 for the U.S. fleet.
    Inspecting the installation of the terminal lugs, shimming the 
baggage fairing assembly (fwd up), and installing a silicon rubber 
protection over the blind rivets takes about 3 work-hours for an 
estimated cost of $255 per helicopter.
    Removing the baggage fairing assembly (fwd up), removing the rubber 
protections, and performing a repetitive inspection of the cable 
assemblies of both circuit breaker panels for damage takes about 2 
work-hours for an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter per inspection 
cycle and $2,550 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
    Repairing a cable assembly takes about 4 work-hours and parts would 
cost about $340 for an estimated cost of $680 per repair.
    Modifying the helicopter by installing protective coverings takes 
about 4 work-hours and parts would cost about $20 for an estimated cost 
of $360 per helicopter and $5,400 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.

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:

2021-05-04 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21447; Docket No. FAA-2020-
1139; Product Identifier 2018-SW-056-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Leonardo S.p.a. 
Model A109S helicopters, serial number (S/N) 22702, 22703, 22705, 
and 22706 and AW109SP helicopters with S/N up to 22386 inclusive, 
except S/N 22375 and S/N 22376, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as chafing of electrical 
wiring. This condition could result in fire ignition and smoke in 
the baggage compartment and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 16, 2021.

[[Page 13989]]

(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) For all helicopters, except Model A109S having S/N 22705 or 
S/N 22706 and Model AW109SP having S/N 22384, before further flight:
    (i) Install a placard with the information in Figure 5 of 
Leonardo Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 
109S-079 (EASB 109S-079), or Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109SP-120 
(EASB 109SP-120), each Revision A, and each dated June 4, 2018, as 
applicable to your helicopter model, in the baggage compartment on 
the internal side of the baggage door D8.
    (ii) Revise the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your 
helicopter by cutting along the dashed line of Figure 6 of EASB 
109S-079 or EASB 109SP-120, as applicable to your model helicopter, 
and inserting the cutout to replace page 1-28 or 1-3, as applicable 
to your model helicopter, of the existing RFM for your helicopter.
    (2) For all helicopters, except Model A109S having S/N 22705 or 
S/N 22706 and Model AW109SP having S/N 22384, within 5 hours time-
in-service (TIS):
    (i) Visually inspect the installation of the terminal lugs to 
determine whether the installation is consistent with Figure 2 of 
EASB 109SP-120 or EASB 109S-079, as applicable to your model 
helicopter. If the installation is not consistent with Figure 2 of 
EASB 109SP-120 or EASB 109S-079, as applicable to your model 
helicopter, restore the installation to be consistent with Figure 2 
of EASB 109SP-120 or EASB 109S-079, as applicable to your model 
helicopter.
    (ii) Shim the installation of the baggage fairing assembly (fwd 
up) part number (P/N) 109-0344-31-101 to move it away from the 
circuit breaker panel, and install a silicon rubber protection over 
the blind rivets of the hinge in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Part II, steps 3 through 8 of EASB 109S-079 or EASB 
109SP-120, as applicable to your model helicopter.
    (3) Performing the steps as described in paragraph (e)(2) of 
this AD allows the RFM revision described in paragraph (e)(1) of 
this AD to be removed from the existing RFM for your helicopter and 
the placard described in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD to be removed 
from the helicopter.
    (4) For all helicopters, within 10 hours TIS and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, remove the baggage fairing 
assembly (fwd up) P/N 109-0344-31-101, remove the rubber protections 
P/N 109-0746-52-105 and P/N 109-0746-52-107, and inspect the cable 
assemblies routing of both circuit breaker panels for damage. For 
the purposes of this inspection, damage may be indicated by chafing. 
If there is any damage, repair or replace the cables in accordance 
with FAA accepted procedures and protect the cables by installing 
Nomex sleeve P/N EN6049-006.
    (5) For all helicopters, within 200 hours TIS, modify the 
helicopter's baggage compartment by adding the protective coverings 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, steps 3 
through 14 of Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109SP-122, dated July 5, 
2018, or Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109S-081, dated July 5, 2018, 
as applicable to your model helicopter. Completion of this 
modification is a terminating action for the 25 hour TIS repetitive 
inspections of paragraph (e)(4) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of: 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) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 
2018-0149-E, dated July 13, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-1139.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5397, Fuselage 
Wiring, Baggage Fairings Modification.

(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 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 
No. 109S-079, Revision A, dated June 4, 2018.
    (ii) Leonardo Helicopters EASB 109SP-120, Revision A, dated June 
4, 2018.
    (iii) Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109SP-122, dated July 5, 
2018.
    (iv) Leonardo Helicopters EASB No. 109S-081, dated July 5, 2018.
    (3) 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.
    (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 February 17, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-05147 Filed 3-11-21; 8:45 am]
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