Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 49 (Monday, March 16, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11009-11011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4941]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0170; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-45-AD; 
Amendment 39-15843; AD 2009-06-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta 
S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states: 
``Operators had reported a number of occurrences of in-flight losses of 
cockpit door windows, both left and right side. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in damage to critical components.'' The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to require that cockpit door windows 
(windows) be replaced with re-designed windows to prevent a window from 
separating from the helicopter, contacting the tailboom or tail rotor, 
resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 31, 2009.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 31, 2009.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 15, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get the service information identified in this AD from 
Agusta, Product Support Italy, Via per Tornavento, 15 21019 Somma 
Lombardo, Varese Italy, telephone 39 (0331) 711111, fax 39 (0331) 
711397, or at http://customersupport.agusta.com/technical_advice.php.
    Examining the Docket: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the economic evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is stated in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, has issued EASA AD No. 2008-0108, dated June 5, 
2008, to correct an unsafe condition for Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters. Previously, EASA issued AD 2007-0142, which required a 
dimensional check and, if necessary, repairing the cockpit door 
installation and replacing the window seal. After the issuance of AD 
2007-0142, cases of cracks on windows leading to loss of part of the 
window were reported on cockpit doors on which actions required by AD 
2007-0142 were applied. Therefore, EASA issued AD 2008-0011, which 
superseded AD 2007-0142 and included the same requirements, but also 
required reinforcing the windows in the area where cracks had 
reportedly developed. Additional cases of in-flight breakage of windows 
have been reported concerning cockpit doors on which the actions 
required by AD 2008-0011 were applied. Further investigation showed 
that cracks had originated in a different area of the windows than with 
the previous cases, suggesting a different route to failure.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI and any 
related service information in the AD docket.

Related Service Information

    Agusta S.p.A. has issued Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-129, dated June 
3, 2008 (BT 139-129), which describes replacing the left-hand side 
window with a window, part number (P/N) 3P5211A10152A1, and right-hand 
side window with a window, P/N 3P5211A48131A1, as well as installing an 
additional strap to allow immediate jettison in an emergency and 
installing a new external emergency exit placard, P/N 212-072-636-109. 
The actions described in the MCAI are intended to correct the same 
unsafe condition as that identified in the service information.

FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Italy, and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with Italy, their Technical Agent, EASA, has 
notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. We are 
issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by EASA 
and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.

[[Page 11010]]

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI requires compliance within 200 flight hours or 6 months 
and uses the term ``flight hours.'' This AD uses the term ``hours time-
in-service'' (TIS) rather than ``flight hours,'' and requires 
compliance within 30 hours TIS or 30 days. Also, this AD references 
specific steps in BT 139-129 to use in complying with the AD. Finally, 
this AD does not require you to contact Agusta S.p.A. AW139 Customer 
Support Engineering.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 26 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per 
helicopter to replace both the left-hand side and right-hand side 
window and install a strap and external emergency exit placard on each 
door. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. The service 
information states that required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost, however we estimate the cost of parts not 
covered by warranty to be $8,300 per helicopter. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators will be 
$8,620 per helicopter, or $224,120 for the entire fleet.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. We find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving 
notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a window 
separating from the helicopter could contact the tailboom or tail 
rotor, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter, and compliance 
with this AD is required within a short time period. Therefore, we have 
determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send us any written data, views, or 
arguments concerning this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section of this AD. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-
0170; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-45-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that 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.
    Therefore, I certify this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 AD:

2009-06-07 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-15843. Docket No. FAA-2009-
0170; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-45-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on March 
31, 2009.

Other Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, serial 
numbers (S/N) 31005 through 31131 (except 31007, 31094, and 31124), 
S/N 31201 through 31209, and S/N 41001 through 41013 (except 41012), 
certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states: ``Operators had reported a number of occurrences of in-
flight losses of cockpit door windows, both left and right side. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in damage to critical 
components. As this unsafe condition was likely to occur in other 
helicopters of the same type design, EASA Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2007-0142 required a dimensional check and, if necessary, the 
repair of the cockpit door installation and the replacement of the 
window seal. After the issuance of AD 2007-0142 cases of cracks on 
sliding windows leading to loss of part of the window have been 
reported on cockpit doors to which actions required by this AD were 
applied. Therefore the AD 2008-0011 superseded AD 2007-0142 taking 
over its requirements and mandated, as an additional action, a 
reinforcement of the sliding windows in the area where cracks had 
developed. Additional cases of in flight breakage of cockpit door 
windows have been reported in service for cockpit doors to which the 
AD 2008-0011 was applied. Further investigation showed that cracks 
had originated in a different area of the windows with respect to 
the previous cases, suggesting a different route to failure.'' 
Therefore, EASA issued AD 2008-0108, which supersedes AD 2008-0011. 
We are issuing this AD to require the same actions as the EASA AD to 
correct the unsafe condition created by the old-designed cockpit 
door windows.

[[Page 11011]]

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days, whichever 
occurs first, unless already accomplished, do the following:
    (f) Remove the left-hand and right-hand side cockpit door 
windows and replace them with airworthy cockpit door windows, part 
number (P/N) 3P5211A10152A1 (left-hand side window) and P/N 
3P5211A48131A1 (right-hand side window). Install an emergency 
jettison strap, P/N 3G5610A04751, with each cockpit door window, and 
install an external emergency exit placard, P/N 212-072-636-109, on 
each cockpit door external side in accordance with steps 1. through 
11. of the Compliance Instructions in Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-
129, dated June 3, 2008, except you are not required to contact the 
manufacturer.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    (g) The MCAI requires compliance within 200 flight hours or 6 
months and uses the term ``flight hours.'' This AD uses the term 
``hours TIS'' rather than ``flight hours,'' and requires compliance 
within 30 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs first. Also, this 
AD references specific steps in BT 139-129 to use in complying with 
the AD. Finally, this AD does not require you to contact Agusta 
S.p.A. AW139 Customer Support Engineering.

Other Information

    (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Safety Management Group, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Send information to ATTN: Sharon Miles, Aerospace Engineer, 
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone (817) 222-5122; fax 
(817) 222-5961.

Related Information

    (i) European Aviation Safety Agency MCAI Airworthiness Directive 
No. 2008-0108, dated June 5, 2008, contains related information.

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Tracking Code

    (j) ATA Code 5610: Flight Compartment Windows.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the specified portions of Bollettino Tecnico 
No. 139-129, dated June 3, 2008, to do the actions required.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Agusta, Product Support Italy, Via per Tornavento, 15 21019 Somma 
Lombardo, Varese Italy, telephone 39 (0331) 711111, fax 39 (0331) 
711397, or at http://customersupport.agusta.com/technical_advice.php.
    (3) You may review copies at FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on February 12, 2009.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-4941 Filed 3-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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