34072 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on 

July 12, 2018. 

Robert J. Ganley, 

Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller 

Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 

Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–15291 Filed 7–18–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0648; Product 

Identifier 2017–SW–087–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 

S.p.A. Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model 

AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This 

proposed AD would require replacing 

screws installed on the left and right 

main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber 

assembly. This proposed AD is 

prompted by a report that some screws 

may have been manufactured without 

meeting specifications. The actions of 

this proposed AD are intended to 

correct an unsafe condition on these 

helicopters. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 17, 

2018. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

online instructions for sending your 

comments electronically. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: Send comments to the U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 

20590–0001. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the 

‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0648; 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 proposed 

AD, the European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) AD, the economic 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations (telephone 800–647– 

5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed rule, contact Leonardo 

S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, 

Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 

520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) 

Italy; telephone +39–0331–711756; fax 

+39–0331–229046; or at http://

www.leonardocompany.com/-/bulletins. 

You may review the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, 

Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Safety Management Section, 

Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

david.hatfield@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to participate in this 

rulemaking by submitting written 

comments, data, or views. We also 

invite comments relating to the 

economic, environmental, energy, or 

federalism impacts that might result 

from adopting the proposals in this 

document. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the 

proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. To ensure the docket 

does not contain duplicate comments, 

commenters should send only one copy 

of written comments, or if comments are 

filed electronically, commenters should 

submit only one time. 

We will file in the docket all 

comments that we receive, as well as a 

report summarizing each substantive 

public contact with FAA personnel 

concerning this proposed rulemaking. 

Before acting on this proposal, we will 

consider all comments we receive on or 

before the closing date for comments. 

We will consider comments filed after 

the comment period has closed if it is 

possible to do so without incurring 

expense or delay. We may change this 

proposal in light of the comments we 

receive. 

Discussion 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016– 

077, dated April 19, 2016, to correct an 

unsafe condition for Finmeccanica 

S.p.A. (previously Agusta) Model 

AB139 and AW139 helicopters if 

equipped with kit ‘‘Increased Gross 

Weight 6800 kg’’ part number (P/N) 

4G0000F00111 (kit). EASA advises of a 

manufacturing issue with the standard 

screws (P/N NAS1351–5H12P) installed 

on MLG shock absorber assembly P/N 

1652B0000–01. According to EASA, a 

material analysis shows that the MLG 

shock absorber screws may have a lower 

fatigue life than the screws used during 

the certification fatigue tests. EASA 

states the affected MLG units have been 

identified by serial number. EASA also 

advises that this unsafe condition, if not 

detected and corrected, could result in 

failure of the MLG shock absorber, 

collapse or retraction of the MLG, and 

subsequent damage to the helicopter 

and injury to occupants. 

To correct this condition, the EASA 

AD requires replacing each standard 

screw with a new screw P/N 

1652A0001–01 and re-identifying the 

serial number of each MLG shock 

absorber assembly that has the new 

screw installed, and prohibits installing 

any affected MLG shock absorber 

assembly unless the screw has been 

replaced. 

FAA’s 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, EASA, its 

technical representative, has notified us 

of the unsafe condition described in its 

AD. We are proposing this AD because 

we evaluated all known relevant 

information and determined that an 

unsafe condition is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed Finmeccanica Bollettino 

Tecnico No. 139–397, dated April 7, 

2016, which contains procedures for 

replacing the standard screws installed 

on the left and right MLG assembly and 

for re-identifying the MLG shock 

absorber assembly P/N and the MLG 

assembly S/N. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

replacing each standard screw P/N 

NAS1351–5H12P with a screw P/N 

1652A0001–01 and re-identifying the 

serial number of the MLG assembly 

within the following compliance times: 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Proposed Rules 34073 

• For MLG assemblies with 26,800 or 

more landings, within 100 hours timein-service (TIS). 

• For MLG assemblies with between 

22,000 and 26,799 landings, within 300 

hours TIS or before the MLG assembly 

accumulates 27,200 landings, whichever 

occurs first. 

• For MLG assemblies with less than 

22,000 landings, within 1,200 hours TIS 

or before the MLG assembly 

accumulates 23,200 landings, whichever 

occurs first. 

This proposed AD would also 

prohibit installing an MLG assembly on 

any helicopter unless the screw has 

been replaced. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 111 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry. 

We estimate that operators may incur 

the following costs in order to comply 

with this proposed AD, based on an 

average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. 

Replacing the screws on the left and 

right MLG assemblies would require 

about 16 work-hours and $200 for parts, 

for a total cost of $1,560 per helicopter 

and $173,160 for the U.S. fleet. 

According to Finmeccanica’s service 

information, some of the costs of this 

proposed AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost 

impact on affected individuals. We do 

not control warranty coverage by 

Finmeccanica. Accordingly, we have 

included all costs in our cost estimate. 

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 proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed AD 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. 

For the reasons discussed, I certify 

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); 

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in 

Alaska to the extent that it justifies 

making a regulatory distinction; and 

4. 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 proposed 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. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Leonardo S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0648; Product Identifier 2017–SW–087– 

AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model 

AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated 

in any category, with an Increased Gross 

Weight 6,800 Kg kit part number (P/N) 

4G0000F00111, and with a main landing gear 

(MLG) assembly with a P/N and serial 

number (S/N) listed in Table 1 to paragraph 

(a) of this AD installed. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as an 

MLG shock absorber screw that does not 

meet specifications. This condition could 

result in failure of the MLG shock absorber, 

collapse or retraction of the MLG, and 

subsequent damage to the helicopter. 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALSEP19JY18.000</GPH>
34074 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Proposed Rules 

(c) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by September 

17, 2018. 

(d) Compliance 

You are responsible for performing each 

action required by this AD within the 

specified compliance time unless it has 

already been accomplished prior to that time. 

(e) Required Actions 

(1) Within the following compliance times, 

replace each screw P/N NAS1351–5H12P 

installed on an MLG shock absorber with a 

screw P/N 1652A0001–01. Re-identify the 

MLG assembly using black permanent ink by 

marking an ‘‘R’’ at the end of the S/N of the 

MLG assembly and cover with a transparent 

coating. For purposes of this AD, a ‘‘landing’’ 

is counted any time the helicopter lifts off 

into the air and then lands again regardless 

of the duration of the landing and regardless 

of whether the engine is shut down: 

(i) For MLG assemblies with 26,800 or 

more landings, within 100 hours time-inservice (TIS). 

(ii) For MLG assemblies with between 

22,000 and 26,799 landings, within 300 

hours TIS or before the MLG assembly 

accumulates 27,200 landings, whichever 

occurs first. 

(iii) For MLG assemblies with less than 

22,000 landings, within 1,200 hours TIS or 

before the MLG assembly accumulates 23,200 

landings, whichever occurs first. 

(2) After the effective date of this AD, do 

not install an MLG assembly with a P/N and 

S/N listed in Table 1 to paragraph (a) of this 

AD on any helicopter unless the screw has 

been replaced and the MLG assembly reidentified as described in paragraph (e)(1) of 

this AD. 

(f) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 

may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your 

proposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Safety Management Section, 

Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9-ASWFTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a 14 

CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 

14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that 

you notify your principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office or 

certificate holding district office before 

operating any aircraft complying with this 

AD through an AMOC. 

(h) Additional Information 

(1) Finmeccanica Bollettino Tecnico No. 

139–397, dated April 7, 2016, which is not 

incorporated by reference, contains 

additional information about the subject of 

this AD. For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, 

Matteo Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness, Viale 

G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate 

(Va) Italy; telephone +39–0331–711756; fax 

+39–0331–229046; or at http://

www.leonardocompany.com/-/bulletins. You 

may review the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, 

TX 76177. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

No. 2016–0077, dated April 19, 2016. You 

may view the EASA AD on the internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket. 

(i) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 3200 Landing Gear System. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 9, 

2018. 

Scott A. Horn, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–15304 Filed 7–18–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0647; Product 

Identifier 2017–SW–083–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell 

Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 

Helicopter Textron Canada Limited 

(Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This 

proposed AD would revise the life limit 

for the nose landing gear (NLG) 

assembly. This proposed AD is 

prompted by revised airworthiness 

limitations determined by Bell. The 

actions of this proposed AD are 

intended to prevent an unsafe condition 

on these helicopters. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by September 17, 

2018. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

online instructions for sending your 

comments electronically. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: Send comments to the U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 

20590–0001. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the 

‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0647; 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 proposed 

AD, the Transport Canada AD, the 

economic evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations 

(telephone 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed rule, contact Bell 

Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 

12,800 Rue de l’Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec 

J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437–2862 or 

(800) 363–8023; fax (450) 433–0272; or 

at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. 

You may review the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, 

Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt 

Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft 

Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

matthew.fuller@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to participate in this 

rulemaking by submitting written 

comments, data, or views. We also 

invite comments relating to the 

economic, environmental, energy, or 

federalism impacts that might result 

from adopting the proposals in this 

document. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the 

proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. To ensure the docket 

does not contain duplicate comments, 

commenters should send only one copy 

of written comments, or if comments are 

filed electronically, commenters should 

submit only one time. 

We will file in the docket all 

comments that we receive, as well as a 

report summarizing each substantive 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS