[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25692-25694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11062]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-05-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109A and A109A II 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) applicable to Agusta S.p.A. Model A109A and A109A II 
helicopters. This proposal would require radiographic inspection of the 
internal surface of each main rotor blade spar (spar) for corrosion. 
This proposal is prompted by the discovery of corrosion on the internal 
surfaces of the spar in the area adjacent to the main rotor blade 
inertia balance weights. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent failure of a main rotor blade due to corrosion on 
the internal surface of the spar and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-

[[Page 25693]]

05-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments 
may be inspected at this location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Via 
Giovanni Agusta 520, telephone (0331) 229111, fax (0331) 229605-222595. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5490, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 2000-SW-05-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-SW-05-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Discussion

    The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (RAI), the airworthiness 
authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on Agusta Model A109A and A109A II helicopters. The RAI advises 
that corrosion has been found on the internal surfaces of the spar.
    Agusta has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 109-111, dated October 
14, 1999 (ASB), which specifies radiographic inspection and if 
necessary, eddy current or dye penetrant inspection of main rotor 
blades, part number (P/N) 109-0103-01-(all dash numbers except P/N 109-
0103-01-115) installed on all Agusta Model A109A and A109A II 
helicopters to ensure that the blades are airworthy. The RAI classified 
this ASB as mandatory and issued AD No. 99-413, dated October 19, 1999, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters in Italy.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in Italy and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the RAI has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
RAI, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action 
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other Agusta Model A109A and A109A II helicopters 
of the same type designs registered in the United States, the proposed 
AD would require radiographic inspection of the upper and lower sides 
of each main rotor blade, P/N 109-0103-01-(all dash numbers except P/N 
109-0103-01-115) for spar corrosion. The AD would require an initial 
radiographic inspection with recurring radiographic inspections at 
intervals not to exceed 24 months. If corrosion is detected at the STA 
1354 centered radiographic inspection, the blade would be required to 
be removed from service. If corrosion is detected at the STA 2825 
centered radiographic inspection, additional inspections either by eddy 
current at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or by 
dye penetrant at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS would be 
required.
    The FAA estimates that 54 helicopters of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 10 work 
hours for the initial radiographic inspection and 4 work hours for each 
eddy current inspection per helicopter, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. The total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $343,440 assuming every helicopter 
requires an eddy current inspection each month for a 24-month interval 
and assuming that no blade will need to be replaced.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

Agusta S.p.A.: Docket No. 2000-SW-05-AD.
    Applicability: Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, with main 
rotor blade part

[[Page 25694]]

number (P/N) 109-0103-01-(all dash numbers except P/N 109-0103-01-
115), installed, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of a main rotor blade due to corrosion on the 
internal surface of the spar and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), perform a 
radiographic inspection of the upper and lower surfaces of each main 
rotor blade for internal corrosion on the spar in accordance with 
(IAW) Part I, paragraph 4, of Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-111, 
dated October 14, 1999 (ASB).
    (1) If no corrosion is detected, re-identify the blade by vibro-
etching the letter ``R'' after the serial number on the nameplate.
    (2) If corrosion is detected at the STA 1354 centered 
inspection, remove the affected blade from service before further 
flight.
    (3) If corrosion is detected at the STA 2825 centered 
inspection, re-identify the blade by vibro-etching the letters 
``RC'' after the serial number on the nameplate.
    (b) After re-identifying a blade with the letter ``R'' after the 
serial number on the nameplate in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) 
of this AD, at intervals not to exceed 24 months, repeat the 
radiographic inspection IAW Part I, paragraph 4, of the ASB.
    (1) If corrosion is detected at the STA 1354 centered 
inspection, remove the affected blade from service before further 
flight.
    (2) If corrosion is detected at the STA 2825 centered 
inspection, re-identify the blade by vibro-etching the letter ``C'' 
after the letter ``R'' previously vibro-etched on the nameplate 
after the serial number.
    (c) After re-identifying a blade with the letters ``RC'' after 
the serial number on the nameplate IAW paragraph (a)(3) or (b)(2) of 
this AD,
    (1) At intervals not to exceed 24 months, repeat the STA 1354 
centered radiographic inspection IAW Part I, paragraph 4.3 of the 
ASB, and
    (2) Perform either:
    (i) An eddy current inspection and, thereafter, at intervals not 
to exceed 25 hours TIS, repeat the eddy current inspection centered 
at STA 2825 in accordance with Part II, paragraph 1, of the ASB, or
    (ii) A dye penetrant inspection and, thereafter, at intervals 
not to exceed 10 hours TIS, repeat the dye-penetrant inspection 
centered at STA 2825 IAW with Part II, paragraph 2, of the ASB.
    (3) If corrosion is detected at the STA 1354 centered 
radiographic inspection or if a crack is detected at the STA 2825 
centered eddy currant or dye penetrant inspection, remove the 
affected blade from service before further flight.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and 
then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Registro 
Aeronautico Italiano (Italy) AD No. 99-413, dated October 19, 1999.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 18, 2000.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11062 Filed 5-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P