Rule2021-20827
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 27, 2021
Effective
November 1, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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 a report that, during a post-flight inspection of an in- service helicopter, a tail rotor slider assembly was found fractured, and the bushing and the actuator rod in the tail rotor servo were partially damaged. This AD requires an inspection of the rail rotor tail rotor slider assembly for corrosion and signs of circumferential refinishing and, depending on the findings, replacement of the tail rotor slider assembly with a serviceable part or repetitive inspections of the tail rotor slider assembly for corrosion and signs of circumferential refinishing, 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53187-53189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20827]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0507; Project Identifier 2018-SW-117-AD; Amendment
39-21712; AD 2021-18-11]
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 a report that, during a post-flight inspection of an in-
service helicopter, a tail rotor slider assembly was found fractured,
and the bushing and the actuator rod in the tail rotor servo were
partially damaged. This AD requires an inspection of the rail rotor
tail rotor slider assembly for corrosion and signs of circumferential
refinishing and, depending on the findings, replacement of the tail
rotor slider assembly with a serviceable part or repetitive inspections
of the tail rotor slider assembly for corrosion and signs of
circumferential refinishing, 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 November 1, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 1,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD,
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone
+49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4203063102272331236c2737302d32236c2737"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da9b9ea99abfbba9bbf4bfafa8b5aabbf4bfaf">[email protected]</span></a>; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website
at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0507.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0507; 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
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer,
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ffef1fbedfafeb1f5f6f2faf1fae5dff9fefeb1f8f0e9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="50313e342235317e3a393d353e352a103631317e373f26">[email protected]</span></a>. <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a54435b5955175955497a5c5b5b145d554c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e6889f878589cb858995a6808787c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0292, dated December 28, 2018
(EASA AD 2018-0292) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.a. (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A,
AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.; AgustaWestland Philadelphia
Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation) Model AB139 and
AW139 helicopters, all serial numbers. Although EASA AD 2018-0292
applies to all Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, this AD applies to
helicopters with an affected part installed instead.
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 AB139 and AW139 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on June 24, 2021 (86 FR 33149). The NPRM was prompted by a
report that, during a post-flight inspection of an in-service
helicopter, a tail rotor slide assembly was found fractured, and the
bushing and the actuator rod in the tail rotor servo were partially
damaged. The subsequent investigation revealed that the failure was due
to fatigue, initiated from corroded areas (corrosion craters) on the
surface of the tail rotor slider assembly characterized by signs of
circumferential refinishing. The corrosion craters originated along
finishing signs consistent with low grit sanding operations, which can
remove the passivation corrosion protection from the tail rotor slider
assembly. Sanding is a maintenance activity that is not included in the
maintenance manual for Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139
helicopters and is not allowed on in-service helicopters. The NPRM
proposed to require an inspection of the rail rotor tail rotor slider
assembly for corrosion and signs of circumferential refinishing and,
depending on the findings, replacement of the tail rotor slider
assembly with a serviceable part or repetitive inspections of the tail
rotor slider assembly for corrosion and signs of circumferential
refinishing, as specified in EASA AD 2018-0292.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion in the tail rotor
slider assembly caused by improper refinishing (characterized by signs
of circumferential refinishing consistent with sanding). The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in fatigue crack and fracture
of the tail rotor slider assembly, resulting in failure of the tail
rotor controls and consequent loss of yaw control of the helicopter.
See EASA AD 2018-0292 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
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Except for minor editorial
changes, this AD is
[[Page 53188]]
adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the
economic burden on any operator. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2018-0292 requires a detailed inspection of the tail rotor
slide assembly for corrosion and sign of circumferential refinishing
and, depending on the findings, applicable corrective actions. If there
is any evidence of corrosion craters the corrective action is
replacement of the affected part with a serviceable part. If there is
any evidence of surface imperfections caused by circumferential
refinishing but no evidence of corrosion, the corrective action is
repetitive inspections of the tail rotor slide assembly for corrosion
and signs of circumferential refinishing. Replacement of an affected
part with a serviceable part is terminating action for the repetitive
inspections.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 129 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection.......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $10,965
hour = $85.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacement that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft
that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Replacement........................... Up to 10 work-hours x $85 per $23,200 Up to $24,050.
hour = $850.
Inspection............................ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = 0 $85 per inspection
$85 per inspection cycle. cycle.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all 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:
2021-18-11 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21712; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0507; Project Identifier 2018-SW-117-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 1, 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 affected part as
identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0292, dated December 28, 2018
(EASA AD 2018-0292).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that, during a post-flight
inspection of an in-service helicopter, a tail rotor slider assembly
was found fractured, and the bushing and the actuator rod in the
tail rotor servo were partially damaged. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address corrosion in the tail rotor slider assembly caused by
improper refinishing (characterized by signs of circumferential
refinishing consistent with
[[Page 53189]]
sanding). The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
fatigue cracks and fracture of the tail rotor slider assembly,
resulting in failure of the tail rotor controls and consequent loss
of yaw 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 2018-0292.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018-0292
(1) Where EASA AD 2018-0292 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD
requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2018-0292 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2018-0292 refers to ``Part I of the ASB,''
this AD requires using ``Part I of section 3., Accomplishment
Instructions of the ASB,'' and where EASA AD 2018-0292 refers to
``Part II of the ASB,'' this AD requires using ``Part II of section
3., Accomplishment Instructions of the ASB.''.
(4) Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2018-
0292 specifies to return certain parts, this AD does not include
that requirement.
(5) Where the service information referred to in EASA AD 2018-
0292 specifies to contact Leonardo S.p.a. ``if in doubt'' regarding
if a tail rotor slider assembly needs to be replaced based on
evidence of corrosion craters, replacement of an affected slider
assembly is required by this AD but contacting Leonardo S.p.a. is
not required by this AD.
(6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2018-0292 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0292
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 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d64701c0b0e701c140f706a6e6d701c10121e1d3b3c3c733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e7decaa6b1b4caa6aeb5cad0d4d7caa6aaa8a4a7818686c9808891">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 Andrea Jimenez,
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7d6d9d3c5d2d699dddedad2d9d2cdf7d1d6d699d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c7d72786e797d32767571797279665c7a7d7d327b736a">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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 Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0292, dated
December 28, 2018.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2018-0292, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0a1a493a085819381ce8595928f9081ce8595"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a7b7e497a5f5b495b145f4f48554a5b145f4f">[email protected]</span></a>; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
EASA AD on the EASA website at <a href="https://ad.easa.europa.eu">https://ad.easa.europa.eu</a>.
(4) 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. This material may be
found in the AD docket on the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0507.
(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
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d7b1a5f9beb9a4a7b2b4a3beb8b997b9b6a5b6f9b0b8a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="90f6e2bef9fee3e0f5f3e4f9fffed0fef1e2f1bef7ffe6">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on August 26, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20827 Filed 9-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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