Rule2024-23066
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
October 7, 2024
Effective
November 12, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracks found on tail rotor (TR) damper bracket assemblies. This AD requires accomplishing repetitive detailed visual inspections (DVIs) of certain part-numbered TR damper bracket assemblies for corrosion and cracks and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. This AD also prohibits installing an affected TR damper bracket assembly unless it is new. These actions are 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 194 (Monday, October 7, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 194 (Monday, October 7, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80995-80997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23066]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0997; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01306-R;
Amendment 39-22832; AD 2024-17-07]
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 all
Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted
by multiple reports of cracks found on tail rotor (TR) damper bracket
assemblies. This AD requires accomplishing repetitive detailed visual
inspections (DVIs) of certain part-numbered TR damper bracket
assemblies for corrosion and cracks and, depending on the results,
taking corrective action. This AD also prohibits installing an affected
TR damper bracket assembly unless it is new. These actions are
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 November 12, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 12,
2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0997; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone +49 221 8999 000;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9adbdee9dafffbe9fbb4ffefe8f5eafbb4ffef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c78683b487a2a6b4a6e9a2b2b5a8b7a6e9a2b2">[email protected]</span></a>; internet: easa.europa.eu. You may find the
EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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. The EASA material is also
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-0997.
Other Related Material: For Leonardo Helicopters material, contact
Leonardo S.p.A., Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.
Agusta 520, 21017 C. Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; phone: (+39) 0331-
225074; fax: (+39) 0331-229046; or at
<a href="http://customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/">customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781)
238-7241; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a597f646d6765244e244962654a6c6b6b246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5a092f343d3735741e741932351a3c3b3b743d352c">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
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
AB139 and AW139 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on April 10, 2024 (89 FR 25194). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-
0154, dated August 1, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0154; also referred to as the
MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. EASA AD 2022-0154 stated that during
scheduled
[[Page 80996]]
inspections, some TR damper bracket assemblies were found cracked and
that subsequent investigation revealed that the cracks originated from
the outer edges of the TR damper bracket lug bores and were due to
stress corrosion. That condition, if not detected and corrected, could
lead to fracture of the affected part (TR damper bracket assembly), TR
blade loss, unbalance or damage to the tail or other parts of the
helicopter, possibly resulting in failure of the TR damper, and
consequent loss of control of the helicopter. Therefore, EASA AD 2022-
0154 required repetitive DVIs of the affected part for cracks and
corrosion, and, depending on findings, replacing the affected part with
a serviceable part.
After EASA AD 2022-0154 was issued, new occurrences were reported
on additional serial-numbered and part-numbered TR damper bracket
assemblies that were not included in the initial batch of affected
parts and it was determined that additional TR damper bracket
assemblies must also be inspected. Consequently, EASA issued EASA AD
2022-0205, dated October 4, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0205), to retain the
requirements of EASA AD 2022-0154, which is superseded, expand the
definition of ``affected part,'' and require the DVIs for all affected
parts.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing repetitive
DVIs of certain part-numbered TR damper bracket assemblies for
corrosion and cracks and, depending on the results, taking corrective
action. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to prohibit installing an
affected TR damper bracket assembly unless it is new. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine EASA AD 2022-0205 in the AD docket at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-0997.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from one anonymous commenter. The
commenter supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
These products have been approved 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 of the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA
reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0205 requires repetitive DVIs of the TR damper bracket
assembly for cracks and corrosion. Depending on the results of these
inspections, EASA AD 2022-0205 requires removing any corrosion,
replacing any cracked part or a part which the corrosion cannot be
removed with a serviceable part, and reporting any discrepancies to
Leonardo. EASA AD 2022-0205 allows installing an affected part on any
helicopter, provided it is a serviceable part, which is an affected
part that is new. EASA AD 2022-0205 also allows installing any TR
damper bracket assembly that is not an affected part as defined within.
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 ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Material
The FAA also reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin
No. 139-724, Revision B, dated September 29, 2022. This material
specifies procedures for inspecting and if necessary, replacing certain
part-numbered and serial-numbered TR damper bracket assemblies.
Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2022-0205
EASA AD 2022-0205 requires reporting certain information to
Leonardo, whereas this AD does not.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 126 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.
A DVI of the TR damper bracket assembly takes approximately 1 work-
hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and up to $10,710 for
the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle.
If required, removing corrosion from the TR damper bracket assembly
takes approximately 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per
helicopter.
If required, removing a TR damper bracket assembly and replacing it
with a serviceable part takes approximately 8 work-hours and parts cost
approximately $4,540 for an estimated cost of $5,220 per TR damper
bracket assembly.
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:
[[Page 80997]]
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:
2024-17-07 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-22832; Docket No. FAA-2024-
0997; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01306-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 12,
2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139
helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracks found on tail
rotor (TR) damper bracket assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to
detect and address corrosion or cracks on the TR damper bracket
assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to
fracture of the affected part (TR damper bracket assembly), TR blade
loss, unbalance or damage to the tail or other parts of the
helicopter, possibly resulting in failure of the TR damper, and
consequent 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2022-0205, dated October 4, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0205).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0205
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0205 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0205 refers to its effective date and
August 15, 2022 (the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0154, dated
August 1, 2022), this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0205 states to ``replace
the affected part with a serviceable part in accordance with the
instructions of section 3 of the ASB;'' for this AD, replace that
text with ``remove the affected part, as defined in EASA AD 2022-
0205, from service and replace it with a serviceable part, as
defined in EASA AD 2022-0205, in accordance with the instructions of
section 3 of the ASB.''
(4) Where the material referenced in paragraph (4) of EASA AD
2022-0205 specifies to perform detailed visual inspections (DVIs)
and ``If no cracks are found, but suspected evidences of corrosion
signs are found, gently polish the interested area,'' for the
purposes of this AD, ``suspected signs of corrosion'' and
``suspected evidences of corrosion signs'' are signs of
discoloration, pitting, flaking, or rust stains.
(5) Where the material referenced in paragraph (4) of EASA AD
2022-0205 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires
removing those parts from service.
(6) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (6) of
EASA AD 2022-0205.
(7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0205.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0205 specifies
to reporting certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does
not include that requirement.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the initial instance of the
detailed visual inspections (DVIs) required by paragraph (g) of this
AD, for TR damper bracket assemblies identified in Table 1 of EASA
AD 2022-0205, if those actions were performed before the effective
date of this AD using Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin
No. 139-724, Revision A, dated September 19, 2022.
(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 Sec. 39.19. In accordance with Sec. 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 certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
If sending information directly to the manager of the International
Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph
(l)(1) of this AD or email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#380115796e6b1579716a150f0b08157975777b785e5959165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f56422e393c422e263d42585c5f422e22202c2f090e0e41080019">[email protected]</span></a>. If
mailing information, also submit information by email.
(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) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Sungmo Cho,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7241; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0b3958e878d8fcea4cea3888fa0868181ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f4c6a71787270315b315c77705f797e7e31787069">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) For Leonardo Helicopters material identified in this AD that
is not incorporated by reference, contact Leonardo S.p.A., Emanuele
Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G. Agusta 520, 21017 C. Costa
di Samarate (Va) Italy; phone: (+39) 0331-225074; fax: (+39) 0331-
229046; or at <a href="http://customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/">customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/</a>.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0205,
dated October 4, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c3d380f3c191d0f1d5219090e130c1d521909"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2160655261444052400f4454534e51400f4454">[email protected]</span></a>; internet: easa.europa.eu. You may
find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#395f4b1750574a495c5a4d5056577957584b58175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddbbaff3b4b3aeadb8bea9b4b2b39db3bcafbcf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on August 22, 2024.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-23066 Filed 10-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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