Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 92 (Friday, May 14, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26365-26367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10191]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0127; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00829-R; 
Amendment 39-21557; AD 2021-10-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-25-04 
for Agusta S.p.A (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model A109A and A109A II 
helicopters. AD 2015-25-04 required inspecting the slider assembly 
pitch control (slider) for play and replacing the slider if the play 
exceeds certain limits. This AD was prompted by further investigation 
that led to the determination that the play was caused by a 
manufacturing issue. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2015-
25-04, requires replacing certain part-numbered sliders as a 
terminating action for the inspections, and prohibits installing the 
affected part on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 18, 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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0127; 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, the 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments received, 
and other information. The address for Docket

[[Page 26366]]

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: Matthew Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-25-04, Amendment 39-18342 (80 FR 
76381, December 9, 2015), (AD 2015-25-04). AD 2015-25-04 applied to 
Agusta S.p.A (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model A109A and A109A II 
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 8, 
2021 (86 FR 13232). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the initial 
and repetitive 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) inspections required by 
AD 2015-25-04 and depending on the inspection results, continue to 
require replacing the slider with an airworthy slider. Additionally, 
the NPRM proposed to require, within 800 hours TIS, removing slider 
part number (P/N) 109-0130-11-7 from service and replacing it with a 
modified slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 marked with an ``R'' after the serial 
number, which would provide a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections. Finally, the NPRM proposed to prohibit installing certain 
sliders on any helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2020-0142, 
dated June 25, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0142), 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. Model A109A and A109A II 
helicopters with a certain part-numbered slider. EASA AD 2020-0142 
supersedes EASA AD 2015-0097, dated June 1, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0097). 
EASA AD 2015-0097 was issued after unusual play was detected on a 
certain part-numbered slider. EASA advised in EASA AD 2015-0097 that 
investigation revealed excessive wear of the slider broaching at the 
point of contact with the tail rotor shaft but that the cause of the 
excessive play had not been determined. EASA AD 2015-25-04 prompted the 
FAA to issue AD 2015-25-04. EASA now advises that further investigation 
results identified the reason for the excessive play was a 
manufacturing issue. Accordingly, EASA AD 2020-0142 retains the 
repetitive inspections for a certain part-numbered slider, requires 
replacing a certain part-numbered slider with a modified slider, and 
provides a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these helicopters as proposed in the NPRM; however, the 
paragraphs have been restructured to meet current formatting 
requirements, and the responsible office for approving Alternative 
Methods of Compliance has been revised. These changes will neither 
increase the scope of the AD nor increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
109-149, Revision A, dated May 18, 2020, which specifies procedures for 
repetitively inspecting the slider for play. This service information 
also references procedures for replacing the affected slider with a 
modified slider.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires replacing the affected part-numbered slider 
within 60 months, while this AD requires replacing the affected slider 
within 800 hours TIS.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 147 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 slider for play takes about 1 work-hour for an 
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $12,495 for the U.S. fleet per 
inspection cycle. Replacing a slider takes about 10 work-hours and 
parts cost about $4,068 for an estimated cost of $4,918 per helicopter 
and $722,946 for the U.S. fleet.
    According to Leonardo Helicopters' service information, some of the 
costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected persons. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage by Leonardo Helicopters. Accordingly, the FAA has included all 
costs in this 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 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.

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:


[[Page 26367]]


    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-25-04, Amendment 39-18342 
(80 FR 76381, December 9, 2015); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2021-10-24 Leonardo S.p.a (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Agusta S.p.A.): Amendment 39-21557; Docket No. FAA-2021-0127; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00829-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 18, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-25-04, Amendment 39-18342 (80 FR 76381, 
December 9, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate previously 
held by Agusta S.p.A.) Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a slider assembly pitch control 
(slider) part number (P/N) 109-0130-11-7 installed, except those 
sliders marked with an ``R'' after the serial number.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor 
Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as play on a slider. This 
condition could result in loss of tail rotor pitch control and 
consequently loss of helicopter control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours 
TIS, inspect the slider for play. If there is play greater than 2.3 
millimeters (0.09 inch), before further flight, replace the slider 
with a slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with suffix ``R'' marked after the 
serial number.
    (2) Within 800 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, if 
not previously required per paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, replace 
slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with suffix 
``R'' marked after the serial number.
    (3) Installing slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 with suffix ``R'' marked 
after the serial number is a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
    (4) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install slider 
P/N 109-0130-11-7 on any helicopter unless the slider is marked with 
suffix ``R'' after the serial number.

(h) 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 the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Matthew Fuller, 
AD Program Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness 
Products Section, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, telephone 
(817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 109-149, 
Revision A, dated May 18, 2020, 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 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.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0142, dated June 25, 2020. You 
may view the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0127.

    Issued on May 6, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-10191 Filed 5-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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