Document ID: FAA-2021-0455-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
Posted Date: 2021-08-20T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 159 (Friday, August 20, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46761-46762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17841]

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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 159 / Friday, August 20, 2021 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 46761]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; Project Identifier 2018-SW-031-AD; Amendment 
39-21699; AD 2021-17-16]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted 
by fatigue testing and analyses. This AD requires establishing a life 
limit for a certain part-numbered tail gearbox fitting. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 24, 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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; 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 Aviation Safety Agency (now 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: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS 
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, 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 certain Leonardo S.p.a. 
Model AW189 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
June 10, 2021 (86 FR 30822). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 
determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) and total number of 
landings of tail gearbox fitting part number (P/N) 4F5350A04152. If the 
total hours TIS and total number of landings cannot be determined, the 
NPRM would require removing the part from service. Also, the NPRM would 
establish a life limit for tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 and 
require removing the part from service according to the new life limit. 
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2018-0087, dated April 18, 2018 (EASA 
AD 2018-0087), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the 
Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for 
Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., 
AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW189 helicopters. EASA advises of 
revisions resulting in Leonardo AW189 Maintenance Manual, Document 89-
A-AMPI-00-P, Chapter IV, Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 13 (89-A-
AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13), which includes new and/or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks since its original 
issuance. Failure to accomplish those airworthiness limitations and 
maintenance tasks could result in an unsafe condition. This condition, 
if not addressed, could result in failure of a part, which could result 
in loss of control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0087 requires accomplishing the actions 
specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13 and revising the Aircraft 
Maintenance Program (AMP) with the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P 
ALS Issue 13.

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. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these helicopters. This AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed AW189 Air Vehicle Maintenance Planning 
Information, 89-B-AMPI-00-P, Chapter 4, Issue 6, dated July 17, 2018 
(89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6). 89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6 specifies 
various airworthiness limitations information including retirement 
lives, mandatory inspections, and certification maintenance 
requirements. 89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6 is equivalent to 89-A-AMPI-00-
P ALS Issue 13.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2018-0087 applies to Model AW189 helicopters, whereas this 
AD applies to that model helicopter with tail gearbox fitting P/N 
4F5350A04152 installed instead. EASA AD 2018-0087 requires 
accomplishing the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13 and 
revising the AMP with the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 
13, whereas this AD requires establishing a life limit for tail gearbox 
fitting P/N

[[Page 46762]]

4F5350A04152 and removing that part from service accordingly instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Replacing a tail gearbox fitting takes about 48 work-hours and 
parts cost about $30,000 for an estimated cost of $34,080 per 
helicopter and $136,320 for the U.S. fleet, per replacement cycle.

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

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:

2021-17-16 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21699; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0455; Project Identifier 2018-SW-031-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 24, 
2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with tail gearbox fitting part number 
(P/N) 4F5350A04152 installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6520, Tail Rotor 
Gearbox.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fatigue testing and analyses. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to prevent parts from remaining in service beyond 
their fatigue life. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in failure of a part, which could result in loss of control 
of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Before further flight after the effective date of this AD:
    (1) Determine the total hours time-in-service (TIS) and total 
number of landings of tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152. For 
purposes of this AD, a landing is counted anytime a helicopter lifts 
off into the air and then lands again regardless of the duration of 
the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown. If the 
total hours TIS and total number of landings cannot be determined, 
before further flight, remove the part from service.
    (2) Remove any part from service that has reached or exceeded 
its life limit as follows. Thereafter, remove any part from service 
on or before reaching its life limit as follows. Tail gearbox 
fitting P/N 4F5350A04152: 14,600 total hours TIS or 57,300 total 
landings, whichever occurs first.

(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, 
Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety 
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 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 Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2018-0087, dated April 18, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-0455.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on August 13, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-17841 Filed 8-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P