38950 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 139 / Friday, July 23, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

Comments 

The FAA received comments from 

Gulfstream and an individual 

commenter. 

Requests 

Gulfstream requested that the FAA 

change the credit for previous actions. 

The individual commenter requested 

the FAA clarify the correct revision of 

the service information to reference. 

The FAA acknowledges these 

comments. However, because the NPRM 

is being withdrawn, the commenters’ 

requests are no longer necessary. 

Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes 

only such action and does not preclude 

the FAA from further rulemaking on 

this issue, nor does it commit the FAA 

to any course of action in the future. 

Regulatory Findings 

Since this action only withdraws an 

NPRM, it is neither a proposed AD nor 

a final rule. This action, therefore, is not 

covered under Executive Order 12866 or 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Withdrawal 

■ Accordingly, the notice of proposed 

rulemaking, which published in the 

Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 

45345), is withdrawn. 

Issued on July 15, 2021. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15533 Filed 7–22–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0578; Project 

Identifier 2018–SW–084–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 

S.p.a. Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Leonardo S.p.a Model AW169 

helicopters. This proposed AD was 

prompted by reports of in-flight pilot 

collective stick oscillation. This 

proposed AD would require a one-time 

measurement of the friction of the pilot 

collective stick assembly to verify that it 

is within the allowable range and, 

depending on findings, making an 

adjustment to restore the acceptable 

level of friction, as specified in a 

European Aviation Safety Agency (now 

European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency) (EASA) AD, which is proposed 

for incorporation by reference (IBR). The 

FAA is proposing this AD to address the 

unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by September 7, 

2021. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

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

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• 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. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For EASA material that is proposed 

for IBR in this AD, contact EASA, 

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 

8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 

internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 

find this IBR material on the EASA 

website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 

You may view the EASA 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 the EASA material at the 

FAA, call (817) 222–5110. The EASA 

material is also available at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0578. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0578; 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 

NPRM, the EASA AD, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for Docket Operations is 

listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance 

& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone (516) 228–7323; email 

Darren.Gassetto@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0578; Project Identifier 

2018–SW–084–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Darren Gassetto, 

Aerospace Engineer, COS Program 

Management Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone (516) 228–7323; email 

Darren.Gassetto@faa.gov. Any 

commentary that the FAA receives that 

is not specifically designated as CBI will 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 139 / Friday, July 23, 2021 / Proposed Rules 38951 

be placed in the public docket for this 

rulemaking. 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2018–0203, 

dated September 12, 2018 (EASA AD 

2018–0203), to correct an unsafe 

condition for Leonardo S.p.A., formerly 

Finmeccanica S.p.A. and 

AgustaWestland S.p.A., Model AW169 

helicopters, all serial numbers equipped 

with pilot collective stick assemblies 

having part number (P/N) 

6F6711A07832 or P/N 6F6711A07831. 

This proposed AD was prompted by 

reports of in-flight pilot collective stick 

oscillation. Based on the investigation 

results, it was determined that this was 

likely due to an incorrect adjustment on 

the collective stick fixed friction during 

helicopter assembly, or during a 

maintenance action. Incorrect 

adjustment of the collective friction of 

the flight control system could lead to 

a reduction in the safety margins of 

controllability of an affected helicopter. 

To address this issue, EASA issued AD 

2017–0137, dated August 1, 2017, to 

require a one-time measurement of the 

collective stick fixed friction value. 

After that EASA AD was issued an 

additional event was reported involving 

a helicopter that was not affected by 

EASA AD 2017–0137. EASA AD 2018– 

0203 supersedes EASA AD 2017–0137. 

The FAA is proposing this AD to 

address incorrect adjustment of the pilot 

collective stick fixed friction. The 

unsafe condition, if not addressed, 

could result in reduced controllability 

of the helicopter, and subsequent 

damage to the helicopter and injury to 

occupants. See EASA AD 2018–0203 for 

additional background information. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

EASA AD 2018–0203 requires a onetime measurement of the friction of the 

pilot collective stick assembly to verify 

that it is within the allowable range 

specified in the service information 

(collective up and collective down 

directions 9.00/18.00N (Newton) or 

2.02/4.05 lbf (pound force)) and, 

depending on the findings, 

accomplishment of the corrective 

action. The corrective action is making 

an adjustment to the pilot collective 

stick assembly to restore the acceptable 

level of friction. EASA AD 2018–0203 

also specifies that after installation of an 

affected part, or following maintenance 

of an affected part that involves removal 

from the helicopter and re-installation, 

before the next flight after the part 

installation, the collective fixed friction 

must be measured and, depending on 

the findings, the corrective action must 

be accomplished. 

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. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

These helicopters have been approved 

by 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 about the unsafe condition 

described in its AD. The FAA is 

proposing this AD after evaluating all 

known relevant information and 

determining that the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other helicopters of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

EASA AD 2018–0203, described 

previously, as incorporated by 

reference, except for any differences 

identified as exceptions in the 

regulatory text of this proposed AD. 

Explanation of Required Compliance 

Information 

In the FAA’s ongoing efforts to 

improve the efficiency of the AD 

process, the FAA developed a process to 

use certain civil aviation authority 

(CAA) ADs as the primary source of 

information for compliance with 

requirements for corresponding FAA 

ADs. The FAA has been coordinating 

this process with manufacturers and 

CAAs. As a result, EASA AD 2018–0203 

will be incorporated by reference in the 

FAA final rule. This proposed AD 

would, therefore, require compliance 

with EASA AD 2018–0203 in its 

entirety, through that incorporation, 

except for any differences identified as 

exceptions in the regulatory text of this 

proposed AD. Using common terms that 

are the same as the heading of a 

particular section in EASA AD 2018– 

0203 does not mean that operators need 

comply only with that section. For 

example, where the AD requirement 

refers to ‘‘all required actions and 

compliance times,’’ compliance with 

this AD requirement is not limited to 

the section titled ‘‘Required Action(s) 

and Compliance Time(s)’’ in EASA AD 

2018–0203. Service information 

specified in EASA AD 2018–0203 that is 

required for compliance with it will be 

available at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0578 after the FAA final 

rule is published. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 6 

helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA 

estimates the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Functional check—friction measurement ........ 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ............. $0 $170 $1,020 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary adjustment 

that would be required based on the 

results of the proposed inspection. The 

agency has no way of determining the 

number of helicopters that might need 

this adjustment: 


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38952 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 139 / Friday, July 23, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Adjustment .................................................................... 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ........................... $0 $170 

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 

The FAA 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 above, I 

certify this proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would 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 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: 

Leonardo S.p.a.: Docket No. FAA–2021– 

0578; Project Identifier 2018–SW–084– 

AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by September 7, 

2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

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

AW169 helicopters, certificated in any 

category, with an affected part as identified 

in European Aviation Safety Agency (now 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency) 

(EASA) AD 2018–0203, dated September 12, 

2018 (EASA AD 2018–0203) installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Codes: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control; 6710, 

Main Rotor Control. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of inflight pilot collective stick oscillation. The 

FAA is issuing this AD address incorrect 

adjustment of the pilot collective stick fixed 

friction. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in reduced 

controllability of the helicopter, and 

subsequent damage to the helicopter and 

injury to occupants. 

(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 2018–0203. 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018–0203 

(1) Where EASA AD 2018–0203 refers to 

flight hours (FH), this AD requires using 

hours time-in-service. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2018–0203 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(3) The ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2018–0203 does not apply to this AD. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2018–0203 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)(2) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(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 

(1) For EASA AD 2018–0203, contact 

EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 

Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 

000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. 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 

at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0578. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 

telephone (516) 228–7323; email 

Darren.Gassetto@faa.gov. 

Issued on July 16, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15555 Filed 7–22–21; 8:45 am] 

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