Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 160 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46959-46961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17951]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0373; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01352-R; 
Amendment 39-21668; AD 2021-16-06]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-19-11 
for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. AD 
2020-19-11 required repetitive borescope inspections of the 90-degree 
tail rotor gearbox (TGB) and depending on the inspection results, 
removing the TGB from service. This AD was prompted by the 
determination that additional parts may be susceptible to the unsafe 
condition. This AD retains

[[Page 46960]]

the inspection requirements of AD 2020-19-11, and revises the 
compliance time and applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 27, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
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://customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/. 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. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0373.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0373; 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 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer, 
Dynamic Systems Section, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy & 
Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
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 2020-19-11, Amendment 39-21254 (85 FR 
59404, September 22, 2020) (AD 2020-19-11). AD 2020-19-11 applied to 
Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters with TGB part 
number (P/N) 109-0440-06-101 or P/N 109-0440-06-105 having serial 
number (S/N) 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through 225 inclusive, 
227, 230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29, installed. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2021 (86 FR 27538). In the 
NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain certain requirements of AD 2020-19-11, 
revise the compliance time for the repetitive inspections from 
intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 6 months to 
only intervals not to exceed 6 months, and revise the applicability 
paragraph by adding certain serial-numbered TGB shafts. The NPRM was 
prompted by EASA AD 2020-0206, dated September 30, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-
0206), 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 S.p.A., 
AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.; and AgustaWestland Philadelphia 
Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation. EASA advises that 
additional parts may be susceptible to similar occurrences and some TGB 
shafts could have been reinstalled on a TGB other than the one on which 
they were initially installed. This condition, if not addressed, could 
result in failure of the tail rotor, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2020-0206 retains the inspection requirements 
of EASA AD 2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018, which prompted AD 2020-19-
11, for certain part-numbered TGB shafts and revises the definition of 
an affected part by adding certain serial-numbered TGB shafts.

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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
119-090, Revision A, dated September 14, 2020. This service information 
specifies procedures for conducting an endoscope inspection of the 
internal surface of the TGB output shaft for corrosion. This service 
information also specifies replacing the TGB if corrosion is found.
    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.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2020-0206 uses flight hours to describe one compliance 
time, whereas this AD uses hours TIS. EASA AD 2020-0206 requires using 
an endoscope for inspection, whereas this AD requires inspecting with a 
borescope. EASA AD 2020-0206 defines the affected part as the 90-degree 
TGB shaft installed on TGB P/N 109-0440-06-01-101, whereas the 
applicability paragraph of this AD includes TGB P/N 109-0440-06-101 
instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 134 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.
    Borescope inspecting the TGB output shaft takes about 3 work-hours 
for an estimated cost of $255 per helicopter and $34,170 for the U.S. 
fleet per inspection cycle.
    Replacing a TGB takes about 18 work-hours and parts cost about 
$49,000 (overhauled TGB) for an estimated cost of $50,530 per 
helicopter.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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

[[Page 46961]]

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:

    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 2020-19-11, Amendment 39-21254 (85 
FR 59404, September 22, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2021-16-06 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21668; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0373; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01352-R.

(a) Effective Date

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

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-19-11, Amendment 39-21254 (85 FR 59404, 
September 22, 2020).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with 90-degree tail rotor 
gearbox (TGB) part number (P/N) 109-0440-06-101 or 109-0440-06-105, 
and with TGB shaft P/N 109-0443-03-107 having a serial number (S/N) 
listed in Table 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
119-090, Revision A, dated September 14, 2020 (ASB 119-090), 
installed.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c): A TGB shaft is also referred to as a 
mast gear assembly.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor 
Drive Shaft.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by two occurrences of corrosion on the 
internal surface of the TGB shaft. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
detect corrosion of the TGB shaft. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in failure of the tail rotor, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the helicopter.

(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) or 3 months, whichever 
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 6 months, borescope inspect the entire 
internal surface of the TGB shaft for corrosion. Refer to Detail A 
of Figure 1 of ASB 119-090, for a depiction of the entry point for 
the borescope. If there is corrosion, before further flight, remove 
the TGB from service.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
helicopter any TGB P/N 109-0440-06-101 or 109-0440-06-105 that has 
TGB shaft P/N 109-0443-03-107 having an S/N listed in Table 1 of ASB 
119-090, unless the actions required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD 
have been accomplished.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    A special flight permit may be permitted provided that there are 
no passengers onboard.

(i) 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 (j)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Rao Edupuganti, 
Aerospace Engineer, Dynamic Systems Section, Technical Innovation 
Policy Branch, Policy & Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0206, dated September 30, 
2020. You may view the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0373.

(k) 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. 119-090, 
Revision A, dated September 14, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (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://customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/.
    (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 August 16, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-17951 Filed 8-20-21; 8:45 am]
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