Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38914-38916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15481]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0375; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01245-R; 
Amendment 39-21656 AD 2021-15-09]
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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was 
prompted by two events of uncommanded emergency flotation system (EFS) 
deployment during flight. This AD requires replacing certain part-
numbered EFS control panels and prohibits installing them. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 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 the 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by

[[Page 38915]]

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0375; 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 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: Ronnea Derby, Aerospace Engineer, 
Denver ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 26805 E 
68th Ave., Mail Stop: Room 214; Denver, CO 80249; telephone (303) 342-
1093; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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 
AB139 and AW139 helicopters with an EFS control panel part number (P/N) 
3G9560V00556 (for use with night vision goggle) or 3G9560V00557 
(standard) installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 
25, 2021 (86 FR 28040). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS 
control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. The 
NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing EFS control panel P/Ns 
3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 on any helicopter. The NPRM was prompted 
by EASA AD 2015-0172, dated August 21, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0172), issued 
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for AgustaWestland S.p.A 
(formerly Agusta S.p.A.), AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation 
(formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation) (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model 
AB139 and AW139 helicopters with an EFS installed. EASA advises of two 
events of uncommanded EFS deployment during flight. Subsequent 
investigation revealed that these conditions had been caused by 
improper design of EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 (for use with 
night vision goggle) and 3G9560V00557 (standard). This condition, if 
not addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2015-0172 requires replacing EFS control panel 
P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/Ns 
3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. EASA AD 2015-0172 also 
prohibits installing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 
3G9560V00557 on any helicopter.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

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.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-374, 
dated July 6, 2015. This service information specifies procedures for 
replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS 
control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. This 
service information also notes that EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 
and 3G9560V00557 can be upgraded by following Sirio Panel Service 
Bulletins 6WS-MI100135 Ed.01 and 6WS-MI100134 Ed.01.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2015-0172 applies to Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with 
an EFS installed, whereas this AD applies to those model helicopters 
with EFS control panel P/N 3G9560V00556 (for use with night vision 
goggle) or 3G9560V00557 (standard) installed instead. EASA AD 2015-0172 
specifies replacing an affected EFS control panel within a compliance 
time of flight hours or months, whichever occurs first, based on 
helicopter configuration, whereas this AD requires that replacement 
within a shorter compliance time in hours time-in-service but the same 
number of months, based on helicopter configuration instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 133 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Replacing an EFS control panel takes about 1 work-hour and parts 
cost about $12,342 for an estimated cost of $12,427 per helicopter and 
up to $1,652,791 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.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator,

[[Page 38916]]

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:

2021-15-09 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21656; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0375; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01245-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 27, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with an emergency 
flotation system (EFS) control panel part number (P/N) 3G9560V00556 
(for use with night vision goggle) or 3G9560V00557 (standard) 
installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212, Emergency 
Flotation Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by two events of uncommanded EFS deployment 
during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address improper design 
of certain EFS control panels. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) At the following compliance time, replace EFS control panel 
P/N 3G9560V00556 or 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/N 
3G9560V00559 or 3G9560V00558, respectively:
    (i) For helicopters with EFS P/N 3G9560F00111 or 3G9560F00113, 
with Aerosekur floats with ``pyrotechnical'' inflation system P/N 
3G9560V01051 installed, within 94 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) For helicopters with EFS P/N 3G9560F00111 or 3G9560F00113, 
with Aerosekur floats with ``SMA'' inflation system P/N 3G9560V01052 
installed, within 377 hours TIS or 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (iii) For helicopters with EFS P/N 3G9560F00212 with Aerosekur 
floats with ``fuse disk'' inflation system P/N 3G9560V02051 
installed, within 565 hours TIS or 18 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install EFS 
control panel P/N 3G9560V00556 or 3G9560V00557 on any helicopter.

(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 Ronnea Derby, 
Aerospace Engineer, Denver ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, FAA, 26805 E 68th Ave., Mail Stop: Room 214; Denver, CO 
80249; telephone (303) 342-1093; email [email protected].
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2015-0172, dated August 21, 2015. You may view the EASA AD at 
https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-0375.

    Issued on July 15, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15481 Filed 7-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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