Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 18, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 46113 

(h) Definitions 

(1) For the purpose of this AD, an ‘‘engine 

shop visit’’ is the induction of an engine into 

the shop for maintenance involving the 

separation of pairs of major mating engine 

case flanges, except for the following, which 

do not constitute an engine shop visit: 

(i) Separation of engine flanges solely for 

the purposes of transportation without 

subsequent maintenance does not constitute 

an engine shop visit. 

(ii) Separation of engine flanges solely for 

the purpose of replacing the fan without 

subsequent maintenance does not constitute 

an engine shop visit. 

(2) For the purpose of this AD, a ‘‘part 

eligible for installation’’ is: 

(i) For an HPC front hub: any HPC front 

hub with a P/N other than P/N 30G1910 or 

30G3210; and 

(ii) For an HPC rotor shaft: any HPC rotor 

shaft with a P/N other than P/N 30G1854, 

30G3109, 30G4995, 30G4953, or 31G0014. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, ECO 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 certification office, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in Related Information. You may 

email your request to: ANE-AD-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. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Mark Taylor, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 

Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 

238–7229; fax: (781) 238–7199; email: 

Mark.Taylor@faa.gov. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued on August 12, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–17654 Filed 8–17–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0364; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–00274–R; Amendment 

39–21675; AD 2021–16–13] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 

S.p.a. Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model 

A109S and AW109SP helicopters with a 

certain part-numbered vertical fin 

vibration absorber installation installed. 

This AD requires repetitive inspections 

of the vertical fin vibration absorber 

installation and the surrounding 

structure and depending on the 

inspection results, removing certain 

parts from service. This AD also 

prohibits installing certain partnumbered vertical fin vibration absorber 

installations on any helicopter. This AD 

was prompted by a report of cracks and 

damage detected on the vertical fin 

absorber installation and surrounding 

structure during scheduled inspections. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

the unsafe condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective September 

22, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters, Emanuele 

Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale 

G.Agusta 520, 21017 C. Costa di 

Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39– 

0331–225074; fax +39–0331–229046; or 

at https://www.leonardocompany.com/ 

en/home. You may view the referenced 

service information at the FAA, Office 

of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 

6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0364; 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 European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street 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: 

Kristin Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, 

General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 

76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

kristin.bradley@faa.gov. 

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 Model A109S and 

AW109SP helicopters with a vertical fin 

vibration absorber installation part 

number (P/N) 109–B810–79–101 

installed. The NPRM published in the 

Federal Register on May 13, 2021 (86 

FR 26198). In the NPRM, the FAA 

proposed, within 30 hours time-inservice (TIS), and thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 100 hours TIS, removing 

the vertical fin vibration absorber 

installation and, using a mirror and light 

source, inspecting the rib assembly and 

depending on the inspection results, 

removing certain parts from service. The 

NPRM also proposed to require 

inspecting the vertical fin vibration 

absorber installation for hole elongation; 

for fretting between the plate and the 

masses, and in between the masses; for 

fretting on the doubler; and the bolts for 

scratches and corrosion. Depending on 

the inspection results, the NPRM 

proposed removing the vertical fin 

vibration absorber installation from 

service. The NPRM also proposed to 

require, within 12 months TIS, 

removing the vertical fin vibration 

absorber installation from service. 

Finally, the NPRM proposed to prohibit 

installing an affected part on any 

helicopter, and provided a terminating 

action for the 100-hour TIS repetitive 

inspections. 

The NPRM was prompted by EASA 

AD 2014–0150, dated June 18, 2014 

(EASA AD 2014–0150), issued by 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 

the Member States of the European 

Union, to correct an unsafe condition 

for certain AgustaWestland S.p.A. (now 

Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters) (formerly 

Agusta S.p.A.) Model A109S and 

AW109SP helicopters with an absorber 

P/N 109–B810–79–101installed. EASA 

advises that during a scheduled 

inspection on Model A109S and 

AW109SP helicopters, cracks and 

damage were detected on the vertical fin 

vibration absorber installation and the 

surrounding structure. EASA stated that 

investigation results determined the 


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46114 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 18, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

cracks and damage were likely related to 

the design of the vertical fin vibration 

absorber installation and incorrect 

installation. Accordingly, EASA AD 

2014–0150 required repetitive 

inspections and removal of the affected 

part. 

After EASA AD 2014–0150 was 

issued, EASA determined certain 

helicopters were not included in the 

applicability and may also be subject to 

the unsafe condition. Accordingly, 

EASA issued EASA AD 2019–0294, 

dated December 4, 2019 (EASA AD 

2019–0294), which supersedes EASA 

AD 2014–0150. EASA AD 2019–0294 

retains the requirements of EASA AD 

2014–0150 and expands the 

applicability, prohibits vertical fin 

vibration absorber installation P/N 109– 

B810–79–101 from being installed on 

any helicopter, and considers removal 

of the affected part to constitute 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections. EASA states that the unsafe 

condition, if not detected and corrected, 

could affect the structural integrity of 

the helicopter. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the costs. 

Conclusion 

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 reviewed 

the relevant data and determined that 

air safety requires adopting this AD as 

proposed except for a correction to the 

compliance time for removing the 

vertical fin vibration absorber 

installation from service. The NPRM 

stated that removing this part from 

service would be required ‘‘within 12 

months TIS’’; the term ‘‘TIS’’ was 

included in error and has been removed. 

This change does not increase the 

economic burden on any operator. 

Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

helicopters. 

Related Service Information 

The FAA reviewed AgustaWestland 

S.p.A. Bollettino Technico No. 109S–58 

for Model A109S helicopters, and 

AgustaWestland S.p.A Bollettino 

Technico No. 109SP–074 for Model 

AW109SP helicopters, each dated May 

7, 2014. This service information 

specifies instructions for removing the 

vertical fin vibration absorber 

installation, inspecting the rib assembly 

and vertical fin vibration absorber 

installation and depending on the 

inspection results, removing certain 

parts from service. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

EASA AD 2019–0294 applies to 

certain serial-numbered Model A109S 

and AW109SP helicopters, whereas this 

AD applies to all serial-numbered 

Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters 

with a certain part-numbered vertical 

fin vibration absorber installation 

installed. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 96 helicopters of U.S. Registry 

and that operators may incur the 

following costs in order to comply with 

this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 

per work-hour. 

Removing and inspecting the vertical 

fin vibration absorber installation and 

surrounding structure takes about 8 

work-hours for an estimated cost of 

$680 per helicopter per inspection cycle 

and $65,280 for the U.S. fleet per 

inspection cycle. 

Replacing the rib assembly, shim, 

doubler, and bracket will take about 16 

work-hours and parts will cost about 

$10,000 for an estimated cost of $11,360 

per helicopter. 

According to Leonardo some of the 

costs of this AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost 

impact on affected individuals. The 

FAA does not control warranty coverage 

by Leonardo. Accordingly, all costs are 

included in this 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. 

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 helicopters 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 

■ 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: 

2021–16–13 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 

39–21675; Docket No. FAA–2021–0364; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2020–00274–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective September 22, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

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

A109S helicopters and AW109SP 

helicopters, certificated in any category, with 

vertical fin vibration absorber installation 

part number (P/N) 109–B810–79–101 

installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 2740, Stabilizer Control System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

cracks or damage on the vertical fin vibration 

absorber installation and surrounding 

structure. This condition could affect the 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 18, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 46115 

structural integrity of the helicopter and lead 

to subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

after the effective date of this AD, and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours 

TIS: 

(i) Remove the vertical fin vibration 

absorber installation P/N 109–B810–79–101, 

and using a mirror and light source, visually 

inspect the rib assembly P/N 109–0372–53– 

201 for hole elongation, fretting, and cracks. 

If there is any hole elongation, fretting, or 

cracks, before further flight, remove rib 

assembly P/N 109–0372–53–201, shim P/N 

109–0372–53–211, doubler P/N 109–0372– 

53–213, and bracket P/N 109–0373–02–113 

from service and replace with airworthy 

parts. 

(ii) Inspect the vertical fin vibration 

absorber installation P/N 109–B810–79–101 

for hole elongation; for fretting between the 

plate and the masses and in-between the 

masses; for fretting on doubler 

P/N 109–0372–53–213; and the bolts for 

scratches and corrosion. If there is any hole 

elongation; fretting between the plate and the 

masses or in-between the masses; fretting on 

doubler P/N 109–0372–53–213; or bolts with 

scratches or corrosion, before further flight, 

remove the vertical fin vibration absorber 

installation P/N 109–B810–79–101 from 

service. 

(2) Within 12 months after the effective 

date of this AD unless already accomplished 

per paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, remove the 

vertical fin vibration absorber installation 

P/N 109–B810–79–101 from service. 

(3) As of the effective date of this AD, do 

not install vertical fin vibration absorber 

installation P/N 109–B810–79–101 on any 

helicopter. 

(4) Removing the vertical fin vibration 

absorber installation P/N 109–B810–79–101 

from service, as described in paragraphs 

(g)(1)(ii) or (2) of this AD provides a 

terminating action for the 100 hour TIS 

repetitive inspections required by paragraph 

(g)(1) of this AD. 

(h) 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 (i)(1) 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. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kristin Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, 

General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

kristin.bradley@faa.gov. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2019–0294, dated December 4, 

2019. You may view the EASA AD on the 

internet at https://www.regulations.gov in 

Docket No. FAA–2021–0364. 

Issued on July 29, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–17605 Filed 8–17–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

33 CFR Part 100 

[Docket Number USCG–2021–0639] 

RIN 1625–AA08 

Special Local Regulation; Low Country 

Splash Open Water Swim, Charleston, 

SC 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 

ACTION: Temporary final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is 

establishing a special local regulation on 

the waters of the Wando River, Cooper 

River, and Charleston Harbor in 

Charleston, SC. This action is necessary 

to provide for the safety of life on 

navigable waters during the Low 

Country Splash Open Water Swim. This 

rulemaking would restrict persons and 

vessels from entering certain waters of 

the Wando River, Cooper River, and 

Charleston Harbor, unless authorized by 

Sector Charleston Captain of the Port or 

a designated representative. 

DATES: This rule is affective from 7 a.m. 

until 11 a.m., on September 18, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: To view documents 

mentioned in this preamble as being 

available in the docket, go to https://

www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2021– 

0639 in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click 

‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket 

Folder on the line associated with this 

rule. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If 

you have questions on this rule, call or 

email Lieutenant Commander Chad Ray, 

Sector Charleston Waterways 

Management Division, Coast Guard; 

telephone (843) 740–3184, email 

Chad.L.Ray@uscg.mil. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

FR Federal Register 

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking 

§ Section 

U.S.C. United States Code 

II. Background Information and 

Regulatory History 

The Coast Guard is issuing this 

temporary rule without prior notice and 

opportunity to comment pursuant to 

authority under section 4(a) of the 

Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 

U.S.C. 553(b)). This provision 

authorizes an agency to issue a rule 

without prior notice and opportunity to 

comment when the agency for good 

cause finds that those procedures are 

‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary 

to the public interest.’’ Under 5 U.S.C. 

553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that 

good cause exists for not publishing a 

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 

with respect to this rule because it is 

impracticable. The Coast Guard has 

published a special local regulation for 

this event in 33 CFR 100.704, Table 1 

to § 100.704, Line No. 4; however, the 

existing special location regulation is 

dated for the first week of May while 

this year’s event is scheduled for 

September 18, 2021. 

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast 

Guard finds that good cause exists for 

making this rule effective less than 30 

days after publication in the Federal 

Register. Delaying the effective date of 

this rule would be contrary to the public 

interest because the potential safety 

hazards associated with the Low 

Country Splash Open Water Swim 

taking place on September 18, 2021. 

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule 

The Coast Guard is issuing this rule 

under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041. The 

Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) 

has determined that potential hazards 

associated with the Low Country Splash 

Open Water Swim event presents a 

safety concern for anyone in the vicinity 

of the regulated area during the event. 

This rule is needed to protect 

participants, spectators, and the general 

public in the navigable waters within 

the regulated area during the Low 

Country Splash Open Water Swim 

event. 

IV. Discussion of the Rule 

This rule establishes a special local 

regulation from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m., on 

September 18, 2021. The special local 

regulation will cover all navigable 

waters within a moving zone, beginning 

at Daniel Island Pier, south along the 


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