[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30660-30662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14912]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-55-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109C and A109K2
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to Agusta S.p.A. Model A109C and
A109K2 helicopters. This proposal would require removing the main rotor
pitch link assemblies, measuring the radial play of the upper and lower
spherical bearings (bearings), and replacing any unairworthy bearings.
This proposal is prompted by four reports of increased vibration of the
helicopters caused by wear in the bearings of the main rotor pitch
change link assembly. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to detect unairworthy bearings on the pitch change link
assembly and to prevent increased vibration and subsequent reduced
controllability of the helicopter.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 6, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-55-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft
[[Page 30661]]
Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone
(817) 222-5296, fax (817) 222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-SW-55-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-55-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Discussion
The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (RAI), which is the airworthiness
authority for Italy, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition
may exist on Agusta Model A109C and A109K2 helicopters. The RAI advises
that there have been instances of increased vibration in Agusta Model
A109C helicopters, which necessitated an AD requiring compliance in
accordance with Agusta Bollettino Technico Telegraphico No. 109-9,
dated March 23, 1995.
Agusta has issued Agusta Bollettino Technico Telegraphico Nos. 109-
9 and 109K-2, both dated March 23, 1995, which specify a procedure to
measure the radial play of both the upper and lower spherical bearings
of the main rotor pitch change link assemblies. The RAI classified
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued RAI AD's 95-082 and 95-
083, both dated March 28, 1995, to assure the continued airworthiness
of these helicopters in Italy.
This helicopter model is manufactured in Italy and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the RAI has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
RAI, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Agusta Model A109C and A109K2 helicopters of
the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD
would require inspection of the main rotor pitch link assemblies Part
Number (P/N) 109-0110-71, and if the radial play of the spherical
bearings exceeds 0.2 millimeters, or .008 inches, replacement of the
affected bearings prior to further flight
The FAA estimates that 3 helicopters of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per helicopter to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $1,122 for the upper bearing and $995 for the lower
bearing per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact
of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,891.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
to read as follows:
Agusta S.p.A.: Docket No. 97-SW-55-AD.
Applicability: Model A109C and A109K2 helicopters, certificated
in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or
repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is
affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in
paragraph (d) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may
address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates
the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the
unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include
an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the
unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence
of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any helicopter
from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent main rotor pitch change link spherical bearing axial
play due to wear, which could result in an increase in the vibration
level and reduced controllability of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
[[Page 30662]]
(a) Within the next 10 hours time in service (TIS) and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, remove the
pitch change link assembly, part number (P/N) 109-0110-71.
(b) Measure the radial play at both the upper and lower
spherical bearings. If the radial play of a bearing exceeds 0.2
millimeters, or .008 inches, replace the affected bearing with an
airworthy bearing prior to further flight.
Note 2: Agusta Bollettino Technico Telegrafico No. 109-9, dated
March 23, 1995, pertains to the subject of this AD.
(c) Reinstall the pitch change link assembly.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Rotorcraft Standards Staff. Operators shall submit their requests
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Registro
Aeronautico Italiano (Italy) AD's 95-082 and 95-083, both dated
March 28, 1995.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 28, 1998.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14912 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
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