Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 241 (Monday, December 20, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71818-71820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27390]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0834; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00298-R; 
Amendment 39-21844; AD 2021-25-01]
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 A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This AD 
was prompted by the discovery that rubber protection of certain 
electrical wiring had not been installed in the baggage avionics bay 
during production. This AD requires installing protective rubber 
borders on the edge of the baggage avionics bay frames, as specified in 
a 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 January 24, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 24, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For 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. Service information that is 
incorporated by reference is also available in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0834.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0834; 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 
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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0065, dated March 8, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0065), to correct an unsafe condition for certain serial-
numbered Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., 
AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A., Model A109S and AW109SP 
helicopters.
    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 
A109S and AW109SP helicopters as identified in EASA AD 2021-0065. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2021 (86 FR 
54124). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery that rubber protection 
of certain electrical wiring had not been installed in the baggage 
avionics bay during production. The NPRM proposed to require installing 
protective rubber borders on the edge of the baggage avionics bay 
frames, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0065.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent chafing of electrical wiring, 
which if not addressed, could result in fire ignition and smoke in the 
baggage compartment and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 
See EASA AD 2021-0065 for additional background information.

[[Page 71819]]

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

    EASA AD 2021-0065 requires installing rubber protections on the 
electrical wiring in the baggage/avionics compartment.
    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 (ASB) 
No. 109S-100, dated February 2, 2021, for Model A109S helicopters, and 
Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 109SP-142, also dated February 2, 2021, 
for Model AW109SP helicopters. This service information specifies 
procedures for installing protective rubber borders on the edge of the 
baggage avionics bay frames.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 3 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.
    Installing protective rubber borders on the edge of the baggage 
avionics bay frames will take about 2 work-hours and parts will cost 
about $24 for an estimated cost of $194 per helicopter and $582 for the 
U.S. fleet.
    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 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:

2021-25-01 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21844; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0834; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00298-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 24, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109S and AW109SP 
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0065, dated March 8, 
2021 (EASA AD 2021-0065).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2497, Electrical 
Power System Wiring.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery that rubber protection of 
certain electrical wiring had not been installed in the baggage 
avionics bay during production. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent chafing of electrical wiring. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in fire ignition and smoke in the baggage 
compartment and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(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 2021-0065.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0065

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0065 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2021-0065 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2021-0065.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0065 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(k) 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 (l) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].

[[Page 71820]]

    (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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hal Jensen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 
20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email [email protected].

(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0065, 
dated March 8, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0065, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the 
EASA material 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-2021-0834.
    (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 November 23, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27390 Filed 12-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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