Document ID: FAA-2021-0299-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters
Posted Date: 2021-04-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 78 (Monday, April 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21917-21920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08567]

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 Rules and Regulations
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 78 / Monday, April 26, 2021 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 21917]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0299; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00253-R; 
Amendment 39-21510; AD 2021-08-16]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PZL 
Swidnik S.A. (PZL) Model W-3A helicopters. This AD requires repetitive 
inspections of a certain part-numbered stainless steel cable (cable) 
installed on a certain part-numbered hoist assembly, and depending on 
those inspection results, removing certain parts from service and 
reporting the results. This AD also prohibits installing the affected 
part unless it is inspected per the AD requirements. This AD was 
prompted by wear of and damage to the cable near the swaged terminal 
due to movement of the hook assembly. The actions of this AD are 
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 11, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of May 11, 2021.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0299; 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 AD, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any 
service information that is incorporated by reference, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.
    For Goodrich Actuation Systems and WYTW[Oacute]RNIA SPRZ[Eogon]TU 
KOMUNIKACYJNEGO ``PZL-[Sacute]widnik'' Sp[oacute]lka Akcyjna service 
information identified in this final rule, contact WSK ``PZL-
[Sacute]widnik'' S.A., Al. Lotnik[oacute]w Polskich 1, 21-045 
[Sacute]widnik, Poland, telephone +48 664 424 798, or at 
www.pzl.swidnik.pl. 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. It is also available 
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0299.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi 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

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0017, dated January 30, 2020, 
to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-numbered Wytw[oacute]rnia 
Sprz[eogon]tu Komunikacyjnego (WSK) ``PZL-[Sacute]widnik'' 
Sp[oacute][lstrok]ka Akcyjna (S.A.) Model PZL W-3A helicopters with a 
Collins Aerospace (formerly Goodrich) electric hoist assembly (hoist) 
part number (P/N) 76378-500 having stainless steel cable P/N 712952 
installed. EASA advises that occurrences were reported of cables found 
worn out; the damage consisted of reduction of the cable diameter near 
the swaged terminal. EASA states that subsequent investigation 
identified that the extensive cable wear was possibly caused by 
flickering movement of the hook assembly in the stowage position during 
flights. EASA further states that this condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to reduction of the cable strength, possibly 
resulting in an in-flight loss of the hoist load, injury to persons, or 
damage to and reduced control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2020-0017 requires repetitive inspections of 
the cable to detect cable condition and diameter restriction and based 
on those inspection results, either replacing parts or additional 
maintenance actions and reporting non-compliant inspection results to 
Collins Aerospace. For helicopters that do not have the affected hoist 
installed, EASA AD 2020-0017 allows installing an affected hoist 
provided that it is new (never previously installed), overhauled (never 
installed after overhaul), or has passed an inspection (no defect 
found, or defects corrected), less than 25 flight hours before 
installation, in accordance with the instructions of the service 
information.

FAA's Determination

    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 of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Goodrich Actuation Systems Alert Service Bulletin 
76378-500-25-P01, Revision 0, dated December 3, 2019 (ASB 76378-500-25-
P01). ASB 76378-500-25-P01 specifies procedures to visually inspect

[[Page 21918]]

the cable near the swaged terminal for cable diameter restriction, the 
hook assembly stowage force, and the hook assembly stowage at the up 
limit. ASB 76378-500-25-P01 also specifies corrective action and 
reporting certain data if the cable is not compliant due to cable 
diameter restriction and the results of the hook assembly stowage force 
inspection.
    ASB 76378-500-25-P01 is an attachment to WYTW[Oacute]RNIA 
SPRZ[Eogon]TU KOMUNIKACYJNEGO ``PZL-[Sacute]widnik'' Sp[oacute]lka 
Akcyjna Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-37-19-309, dated January 28, 
2020 (ASB-37-19-309). ASB 76378-500-25-P01 is incorporated by reference 
in this AD. ASB-37-19-309 is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    This service information 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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed ASB-37-19-309. ASB-37-19-309 specifies 
accomplishing repetitive visual inspections of the cable near the 
swaged terminal for cable diameter restriction and a one-time 
inspection of the hook assembly stowage force. ASB-37-19-309 also 
provides a reminder to accomplish the hook assembly stowage procedure 
after each individual hoisting operation performed in flight or on the 
ground.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires within 25 hours time-in-service accumulated by the 
hoist (hoist hours) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter 
at intervals not to exceed 25 hoist hours for all PZL Model W-3A 
helicopters with hoist P/N 76378-500 having stainless steel cable P/N 
712952 installed, inspecting the cable for wear and damage, inspecting 
the measurement of the diameter of the cable, and removing the cable 
from service or replacing the cable with an airworthy part before 
further hoist operation if certain criteria is met. This AD also 
requires following certain reinstallation steps and reporting certain 
information. Finally, this AD prohibits installing an affected hoist or 
cable unless they meet the conditions as required by this AD.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) (5 U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with 
notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good 
cause,'' finds that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, 
or contrary to the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, 
upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment 
prior to the rulemaking. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes 
agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a 
finding of good cause.
    There are no helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S. 
Registry. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment 
are unnecessary pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the 
reasons stated above, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 
days.

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0299 and Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-00253-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Kristi 
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. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

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

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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

[[Page 21919]]

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 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, and
    2. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2021-08-16 PZL Swidnik S.A.: Amendment 39-21510; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0299; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00253-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 11, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PZL Swidnik S.A. (PZL) Model W-3A 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a Collins Aerospace 
(formerly Goodrich) electric hoist (hoist) part number (P/N) 76378-
500 with a stainless steel cable (cable) P/N 712952 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2597, Equip/
Furnishing System Wiring.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as wear and reduction of 
the cable diameter near the swaged terminal due to movement of the 
hook assembly. This condition could result in reduced strength of 
the cable, potentially resulting in an in-flight loss of the hoist 
load, injury to persons, and reduced control of or damage to the 
helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless accomplished previously.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 25 hours time-in service on the hoist (hoist hours) 
after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 25 hoist hours:
    (2) Remove the bottom part of the hook assembly, disengage and 
lift the hook assembly, clean the cable near the swaged terminal, 
and visually inspect for wear and damage. For the purposes of this 
AD, damage may be indicated by broken wires, kinks, bird cages, 
flattened areas, abrasion, necking, corrosion, or fretting. Visually 
inspect the area at no less than 12 cm of the cable between the 
cable swaged terminal and the hook assembly, as depicted in Figures 
2 and 3 of Goodrich Actuation Systems Alert Service Bulletin 76378-
500-25-P01, Revision 0, dated December 3, 2019 (ASB 76378-500-25-
P01).
    (i) If the cable is worn or damaged, before the next hoist 
operation, remove the cable from service and replace with an 
airworthy part. Within 30 calendar days, email the non-compliant 
information in accordance with paragraph 3.A.(4)(a) of ASB 76378-
500-25-P01 to PL-CustomerSupport.AW@leonardocompany.com.
    (ii) If there is no damage, before the next hoist operation, 
inspect the cable diameter restriction on the 12 cm length ensuring 
the cable diameter is >=4.60 mm (0.181 in) paying particular 
attention to the cable diameter which is approximately 1 cm from the 
cable swaged terminal.
    (iii) If the cable diameter is less than 4.60 mm (0.181 in), 
before the next hoist operation, replace the cable with an airworthy 
part. Within 30 calendar days, email the non-complaint information 
in accordance with paragraph 3.B.(1)(f) of ASB 76378-500-25-P01 to 
PL-CustomerSupport.AW@leonardocompany.com.
    (iv) If the cable diameter is >=4.60 mm (0.181 in), lubricate 
the cable with oil MIL-L-23699 or MIL-L-7808, or equivalent, 
reassemble bottom part of the hook assembly on the upper part, and 
bring the hook assembly back to the stowage position.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a hoist 
or cable with a P/N identified in paragraph (c) of this AD unless 
they meet the conditions as required by paragraph (g) 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-AIR-730-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 Kristi 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) WYTW[Oacute]RNIA SPRZ[Eogon]TU KOMUNIKACYJNEGO ``PZL-
[Sacute]widnik'' Sp[oacute]lka Akcyjna Mandatory Alert Service 
Bulletin No. BO-37-19-309, dated January 28, 2020, which is not 
incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the 
subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, 
contact WSK ``PZL-[Sacute]widnik'' S.A., Al. Lotnik[oacute]w 
Polskich 1, 21-045 [Sacute]widnik, Poland; telephone +48-664 424 
798; fax (+48) 817 225 710; or at www.pzl.swidnik.pl. You may view 
this referenced service information 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.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0017, dated January 30, 2020. 
You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0299.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Goodrich Actuation Systems Alert Service Bulletin 76378-500-
25-P01, Revision 0, dated December 3, 2019 (ASB 76378-500-25-P01).

[[Page 21920]]

    Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2)(i):  ASB 76378-500-25-P01 is attached 
to WYTW[Oacute]RNIA SPRZ[Eogon]TU KOMUNIKACYJNEGO ``PZL-
[Sacute]widnik'' Sp[oacute]lka Akcyjna Alert Service Bulletin No. 
ASB-37-19-309, dated January 28, 2020, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.

    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) As the design approval holder for the product identified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD, contact PZL Swidnik S.A. for the Goodrich 
Actuation Systems service information identified in this AD, at WSK 
``PZL-[Sacute]widnik'' S.A., Al. Lotnik[oacute]w Polskich 1, 21-045 
[Sacute]widnik, Poland; telephone +48-664 424 798; fax (+48) 817 225 
710; or at www.pzl.swidnik.pl.
    (4) You may view this service information 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on April 7, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-08567 Filed 4-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P