Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50235-50237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19249]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0383; Project Identifier 2018-SW-005-AD; Amendment 
39-21671; AD 2021-16-09]
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 AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted 
by corrosion on the inlet check valve banjo fitting of emergency 
flotation system (EFS) float assemblies. This AD requires visually 
inspecting each banjo fitting installed on an affected EFS float 
assembly, and depending on the results, removing the banjo fitting from 
service. This AD also requires applying corrosion inhibiting compound 
and prohibits installing an affected EFS float assembly unless certain 
requirements have been accomplished as specified in a European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, 
which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 13, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 13, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at 
https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Aero Sekur and Leonardo Helicopters 
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 material 
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 in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0383.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0383; 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, 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: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS 
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued a series of ADs, the most recent being EASA 
AD 2018-0006, dated January 10, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0006), to correct an 
unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters (formerly Finmeccanica 
S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW189 helicopters with certain 
part-numbered and serial-numbered Aero Sekur EFS float assemblies 
installed, except those float assemblies marked with SB-189-25-004. 
EASA initially issued EASA AD 2017-0256, dated December 22, 2017 (EASA 
AD 2017-0256), to address the unsafe condition. EASA issued EASA AD 
2018-0006 to supersede EASA AD 2017-0256 to revise the compliance time 
based on the EFS float assembly condition.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Leonardo S.p.a. 
Model AW189 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
May 28, 2021 (86 FR 28714). The NPRM was prompted by corrosion on the 
inlet check valve banjo fitting of EFS float assemblies. The NPRM 
proposed to require visually inspecting each banjo fitting installed on 
an affected EFS float assembly, and depending on the results, removing 
the banjo fitting from service. The NPRM also proposed to require 
applying corrosion inhibiting compound to each banjo fitting installed 
on an affected EFS float assembly and prohibit installing an affected 
EFS float assembly unless the banjo fitting inspection, banjo fitting 
replacement, and corrosion inhibiting compound application requirements 
have been accomplished, as specified in an EASA AD.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent reduced inflation of an EFS 
float. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the 
helicopter's buoyancy during an emergency landing on water. See EASA AD 
2018-0006 for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2018-0006 requires visually inspecting the banjo fittings 
installed on an affected EFS float assembly. If there is corrosion on a 
banjo fitting, EASA AD 2018-0006 requires replacing the banjo fitting. 
EASA AD 2018-0006 also requires applying corrosion inhibiting compound 
to each banjo fitting installed on an affected EFS float assembly. EASA 
AD 2018-0006 prohibits installing an affected EFS float assembly unless 
the banjo fitting inspection, banjo fitting replacement, and corrosion 
inhibiting compound application requirements have been accomplished. 
EASA AD 2018-0006 also allows credit for actions accomplished 
previously with a prior revision of the Leonardo Helicopters service 
information.
    This material 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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
189-174, original issue, dated December 22, 2017 (ASB 189-174 original 
issue), and Revision A, dated January 5, 2018 (ASB 189-174 Rev A). The 
FAA also

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reviewed Aero Sekur Service Bulletin SB-189-25-004, original issue, 
dated November 22, 2017 (SB-189-25-004), which is attached as Annex A 
to ASB 189-174 original issue and ASB 189-174 Rev A.
    ASB 189-174 Rev A and ASB 189-174 original issue specify the same 
procedures, except the compliance time specified by ASB 189-174 Rev A 
has been revised by adding affected EFS float assemblies that have been 
inspected using procedures in the maintenance manual within the 
previous 12 months. ASB 189-174 original issue and ASB 189-174 Rev A 
specify accomplishing the Visual Inspection and Corrosion Prevention, 
and Record Instruction procedures specified in SB-189-25-004. ASB 189-
174 original issue and ASB 189-174 Rev A also specify emailing 
photographical evidence of each corroded banjo fitting to Leonardo 
Helicopters PSE Division and returning replaced banjo fittings to 
Leonardo Helicopters Customer Support Division.
    SB-189-25-004 specifies procedures for cleaning and visually 
inspecting each banjo fitting for evidence of corrosion. If there is 
corrosion, SB-189-25-004 specifies procedures for discarding the banjo 
fitting and its O-rings, and installing a new banjo fitting. SB-189-25-
004 also specifies procedures for applying corrosion inhibiting 
compound (JC5A or Mastinox 6856) on all banjo fittings. When SB-189-25-
004 is accomplished, SB-189-25-004 specifies procedures for marking the 
identification label of the EFS float assembly.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2018-0006 requires returning and discarding certain parts, 
whereas this AD requires removing those parts from service instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 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.
    Inspecting the banjo fittings takes about 8.5 work-hours for an 
estimated cost of $723 per helicopter and $2,892 for the U.S. fleet. 
Applying corrosion inhibiting compound takes about 1.5 work-hours for 
an estimated cost of $128 per helicopter and $512 for the U.S. fleet. 
If required, replacing a banjo fitting takes a minimal additional 
amount of time after inspecting it and parts cost about $550 for an 
estimated cost of $550 per helicopter.

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:

    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:

2021-16-09 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21671; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0383; Project Identifier 2018-SW-005-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 13, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, as identified in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2018-0006, dated January 10, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0006).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by corrosion on the inlet check valve banjo 
fitting of emergency flotation system (EFS) float assemblies. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent reduced inflation of an EFS float. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the 
helicopter's buoyancy during an emergency landing on water.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2018-0006.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018-0006

    (1) Where EASA AD 2018-0006 refers to December 29, 2017 (the 
effective date of EASA AD 2017-0256, dated December 22, 2017), this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-
0006 specifies to return a certain part, this AD requires removing 
that part from service.
    (3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-
0006 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing 
those parts from service.
    (4) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2018-0006 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0006 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) 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

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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 (k) 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley, 
Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety 
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0006, dated 
January 10, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2018-0006, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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. This material may be 
found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0383.
    (5) You may view this material 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 July 26, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19249 Filed 9-7-21; 8:45 am]
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