Document ID: FAA-2014-0379-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Helicopters
Posted Date: 2014-06-19T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 118 (Thursday, June 19, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35033-35035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13836]

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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 118 / Thursday, June 19, 2014 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 35033]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0379; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-067-AD; 
Amendment 39-17870; AD 2014-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta 
Model AB412 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main 
transmission lubricating system oil outlet hose (hose) for damage, and, 
if required, replacing the hose. This AD is prompted by reports of 
damage found on the hose. These actions are intended to prevent loss of 
main gear box (MGB) lubrication, which could lead to failure of the MGB 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 7, 2014.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 18, 2014.

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 or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the foreign authority's AD, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations Office (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 AD, contact 
AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100, 21015 
Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-
664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins.You may review the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tyrone Millard, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
tyrone.d.millard@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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 resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, 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 them 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 rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may 
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Emergency AD No. 2013-0282-E, dated November 27, 2013, to correct an 
unsafe condition for Agusta Model AB 212, AB 412, and AB 412EP 
helicopters. EASA advises of two reports of oil leakage from the main 
transmission lubricating system oil outlet hose, part number 70-
061L275W210A, caused by damage on the hose. EASA further states an 
investigation has not determined the root cause, but that relative 
movement between the data plate and the hose assembly may have been a 
contributing factor. EASA advises that if not corrected, this condition 
could lead to transmission lubricating system failure and reduced 
control of the helicopter.
    As a result, EASA Emergency AD No. 2013-0282-E requires inspecting 
the portion of the hose accessible through the cargo hook opening for 
damage within 10 flight hours, and every 100 flight hours thereafter, 
and inspecting the portion of the hose accessible through the left side 
of the pylon for damage within 35 flight hours, and every 25 flight 
hours thereafter. If there is damage to the hose, EASA Emergency AD No. 
2013-0282-E requires replacing the hose with a serviceable hose.

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 the EASA AD. We 
are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by 
EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist 
or develop on other helicopters of the same type design.

[[Page 35034]]

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Agusta Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 412-137, dated 
November 26, 2013. BT No. 412-137 describes procedures for repetitively 
inspecting the stainless steel hose braiding beneath the hose data 
plates for damage, fretting, or broken wires.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires:
     Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspecting the stainless steel 
hose braiding for damage, fretting, and broken wires in the area below 
the transmission oil sump, in the external cargo hook opening.
     Within 35 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours TIS, inspecting the stainless steel hose braiding for 
damage, fretting, and broken wires in the area of the transmission oil 
sump behind the left side pylon access door.
     If there is any damage, fretting, or any broken wires, 
replacing the hose before further flight.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    This AD does not apply to Model AB 212 or AB 412EP helicopters, as 
these models are not type-certificated in the U.S.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is 
later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    There are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are no 
helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S. Registry.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    There are no helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S. 
Registry. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that we will receive any 
adverse comments or useful information about this AD from U.S. 
Operators.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary because there are 
none of these products on the U.S. Registry and that good cause exists 
for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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 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, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

 List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of 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:

     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 (AD):

2014-12-09 Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta): Amendment 39-17870; Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0379; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-067-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Agusta Model AB412 helicopters with a 
transmission oil outlet hose (hose) part number 70-061L275W210A 
installed, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as hose failure, which 
could result in loss of main gear box (MGB) lubrication, failure of 
the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 7, 2014.

(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 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS:
    (i) If installed, remove the external cargo suspension hook. In 
the cargo hook opening, underneath the transmission oil sump, slide 
the data plate and clear sleeve, if installed, aside and, using a 
light, inspect the stainless steel hose braiding for damage, 
fretting, or a broken wire.
    (ii) If the stainless steel hose braiding has any damage, 
fretting, or a broken wire, before further flight, replace the hose.
    (2) Within 35 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 25 hours TIS:
    (i) Through the left side pylon door, using a light and a 
mirror, inspect the stainless steel hose braiding for damage, 
fretting, or a broken wire.
    (ii) If the stainless steel hose braiding has any damage, 
fretting, or a broken wire, before further flight, replace the hose.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Tyrone Millard, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 
222-5110; email tyrone.d.millard@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.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 412-137, dated 
November 26, 2013, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 
additional information about the subject of this AD. For service 
information identified in

[[Page 35035]]

this AD, contact AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via 
del Gregge, 100, 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio 
D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins. You may review a copy 
of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth 
Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2013-0282-E, dated November 
27, 2013. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0379.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320: Main Rotor 
Gearbox.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 6, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-13836 Filed 6-18-14; 8:45 am]
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