Document ID: FAA-2018-0726-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
Posted Date: 2018-08-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42230-42232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17903]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 162 / Tuesday, August 21, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 42230]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0726; Product Identifier 2017-SW-097-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Finmeccanica 
S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP helicopters. This proposed 
AD would require inspecting and altering the rescue hoist. This 
proposed AD is prompted by a report of a damaged hoist cable that 
detached after load application. The actions of this proposed AD are 
intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 22, 
2018.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0726; 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 proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the 
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations (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 proposed rule, contact 
Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness, 
Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone 
+39-0331-711756; fax +39-0331-229046; or at http://www.leonardocompany.com/-/bulletins. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    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 might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued AD No. 2017-0025, dated February 14, 2017, 
to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly 
Finmeccanica S.p.A, AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP helicopters. 
EASA advises that a hoist cable became snagged behind a hoist handle 
assembly nut and broke during a dummy load application. EASA further 
advises that this condition could result in detachment of an external 
load, and subsequent personal injury or injury to persons on the 
ground. To address this unsafe condition, the EASA AD requires 
inspecting the hoist cable, modifying the rescue hoist handle, and 
amending the rescue hoist pre-flight inspection described in the 
rotorcraft flight manual.

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 its AD. We are 
proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information 
and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop 
on other helicopters of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 109SP-110, 
dated February 13, 2017 (BT 109SP-110), which contains procedures for 
inspecting the hoist handle, the passenger-side cabin doorframe, and 
the hoist cable. This service information also specifies replacing the 
attaching hardware on the rescue hoist handle and adding a temporary 
pre-flight check of the hoist cable to the Rotorcraft Flight Manual.
    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.

[[Page 42231]]

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 10 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) or before the next hoist operation, whichever occurs first, 
inspecting the hoist handle assembly and the upper section of the cabin 
doorframe for chafing caused by the hoist cable. If there is any 
chafing, this proposed AD would require, before further flight, 
repairing the damage and inspecting the first 6 meters (20 feet) of the 
hoist cable for cable diameter, broken wires, kinks, bird caging, 
flattened areas, abrasion, and necking. If the cable dimension is less 
than 4.70 mm (0.185 inch), or if there are any broken wires, kinks, 
bird caging, flattened areas, abrasion, or necking, this proposed AD 
would require, before the next hoist operation, replacing the hoist 
cable.
    This proposed AD would also require, within 25 hours TIS, replacing 
the rescue hoist handle attaching hardware.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires amending the rotorcraft flight manual by 
adding a daily rescue hoist cable preflight inspection, this proposed 
AD does not since the actions in this proposed AD would correct the 
unsafe condition.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 30 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, we estimate that 
operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this 
AD. Inspecting the hoist handle assembly, cabin doorframe, and hoist 
cable would require about 2 hours, for a cost of $170 per helicopter 
and $5,100 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing the hardware on the hoist 
handle assembly would require about 1 hour and required parts cost 
would be minimal, for a cost of $85 per helicopter and $2,550 for the 
U.S. fleet.
    If required, replacing a hoist cable would require about 3 hours 
and required parts would cost $3,150, for a cost per helicopter of 
$3,405.
    According to Leonardo Helicopter's service information some of the 
costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby 
reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control 
warranty coverage by Leonardo Helicopters. Accordingly, we have 
included all costs in our 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.
    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 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, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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

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):

Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Finmeccanica 
S.p.A, AgustaWestland S.p.A): Docket No. FAA-2018-0726; Product 
Identifier 2017-SW-097-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model AW109SP helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with a rescue hoist part number 109-B810-16-101 or 
109-B810-16-201 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as chafing of a rescue 
hoist cable. This condition could result in detachment of an 
external load and subsequent injury to persons being lifted.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 22, 2018.

(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) or before the next 
hoist operation, whichever occurs first, inspect the rescue hoist 
handle assembly and the upper part of the cabin doorframe for 
chafing. The inspection area of the cabin doorframe is depicted in 
Figure 3 of Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 109SP-110, 
dated February 13, 2017 (BT 109SP-110). Examples of chafing are 
shown in Figures 10 and 11 of BT 109SP-110. If there is any chafing, 
before further flight, repair the chafed areas and inspect the first 
6 meters (20 feet) of the hoist cable as follows:
    (i) Measure the diameter of the hoist cable as described in the 
Compliance Instructions, Part I, paragraphs 3.4.1 through 3.4.2 of 
BT 109SP-110.
    (ii) Average the two measurements at each location. If at any 
location the diameter of the hoist cable is less than 4.7 mm (0.185 
inch), before the next hoist operation, remove the hoist cable from 
service.
    (iii) Inspect the hoist cable for broken wires, kinks, bird 
caging, flattened areas, abrasion, and necking, referencing the 
examples shown and depicted in Figures 5 through 9 of BT 109SP-110. 
If there are any broken wires, kinks, bird caging, flattened areas, 
abrasion, or necking, before the next hoist operation, remove the 
hoist cable from service.
    (2) Within 25 hours TIS, replace the rescue hoist handle 
attaching hardware as described in the Compliance Instructions, Part 
II, paragraphs 3 through 6, of BT 109SP-110.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    A one-time special flight permit may be granted provided that 
the hoist is not used.

[[Page 42232]]

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, 
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (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.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2017-0025, dated February 14, 2017. You may 
view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
the AD Docket.

 (i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Cabin/Equipment 
Furnishings.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 6, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17903 Filed 8-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P