[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 73 (Friday, April 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20081-20082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9359]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-SW-47-AD; Amendment 39-11688; AD 2000-08-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Agusta Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
applicable to Agusta Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters. This 
action requires inspecting the main transmission to determine if 
certain Gleason crowns are installed and replacing any unairworthy 
Gleason crown with an airworthy Gleason crown. This amendment is 
prompted by the discovery of a cracked Gleason crown during an 
unscheduled transmission inspection prompted by abnormal noises coming 
from the transmission during main rotor deceleration. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the main 
transmission, loss of rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of 
the helicopter.

DATES: Effective May 1, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before June 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-SW-47-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5296, fax (817) 
222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (RAI), the 
airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Agusta Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C 
helicopters. The RAI reported that abnormal noises coming from the 
transmission during main rotor deceleration led to a transmission 
inspection and the discovery of a cracked Gleason crown.
    Agusta has issued Bollettino Technico No. 109-109, dated June 3, 
1999 (BT), which specifies inspection of the Gleason crown, part number 
(P/N) 109-0403-07, of the main transmission assembly, P/N 109-0400-02-5 
or 109-0400-03-105. The RAI classified this BT as mandatory and issued 
AD 99-267, dated June 10, 1999, to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these helicopters in Italy. Although the RAI permits operators to 
monitor the main transmissions for abnormal noises and conduct periodic 
airworthiness inspections until 900 hours or more time-in-service have 
been accrued, the FAA does not concur that ``noises'' are a reliable 
indicator of impending failure.
    These helicopter models are manufactured in Italy and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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 helicopters of these same type designs 
registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent 
failure of the main transmission, loss of rotor drive, and subsequent 
loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires inspecting the main 
transmission to determine if certain Gleason crowns are installed and 
replacing them with airworthy Gleason crowns before further flight. The 
short compliance time involved is required because the previously 
described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the structural 
integrity and controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, inspecting 
the main transmission to determine if certain Gleason crowns are 
installed and replacing these certain Gleason crowns with an airworthy 
Gleason crown is required before further flight and this AD must be 
issued immediately.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public 
comment hereon are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
    The FAA estimates that 8 helicopters will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 14 work hours to

[[Page 20082]]

inspect and replace the Gleason crown, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $7500 per 
helicopter. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $66,720.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 99-SW-47-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    The FAA has also determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

AD 2000-08-02  Agusta: Amendment 39-11688. Docket No. 99-SW-47-AD.

    Applicability: Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters, 
Serial Number (S/N) 7630, 7633, 7654, 7667, 7671, 7672, 7676, or 
7677 with main transmission, part number (P/N) 109-0400-02-5 or 109-
0400-03-105, with Gleason crown, P/N 109-0403-07, installed, 
certified in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the main transmission, loss of rotor 
drive, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Before further flight, determine if a transmission with a S/
N specified in Table 1 is installed.

                                 Table 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Gleason  Crown
         Transmission P/N            Transmission S/N          S/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
109-0400-02-5.....................  171                 A0488
109-0400-02-5.....................  326                 A0490
109-0400-03-105...................  026                 A0571
109-0400-03-105...................  028                 A0572
109-0400-03-105...................  025                 A0578
109-0400-03-105...................  029                 A0584
109-0400-03-105...................  036                 A0614
109-0400-03-105...................  037                 A0618
109-0400-03-105...................  041                 A0630
109-0400-03-105...................  A2-1274             A2-0645
109-0400-03-105...................  A2-1356             B15919
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) If the installed Gleason crown, P/N 109-0403-07, S/N is 
listed in Table 1, before further flight, replace it with an 
airworthy Gleason crown, P/N 109-0403-07-103, S/N B58264 or 
subsequent, except S/N B58271.
    (1) After installing the replacement Gleason crown, mark the 
nomenclature ``S.M. 109254'' on the ``Modification Incorporated'' 
area of the additional nameplate, P/N MS27253-2. Update the main 
transmission ``Assembly Historical Record'' or equivalent record, 
with the P/N and S/N of the Gleason crown installed.
    (2) If not previously bonded to the transmission, bond the 
additional nameplate, P/N MS27253-2, with adhesive EA934NA below the 
main transmission nameplate.

    Note 2: Agusta Bollettino Technico 109-109, dated June 3, 1999, 
pertains to the subject of this AD.

    (c) 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, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft 
Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and 
then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 1, 2000.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Registro 
Aeronautico Italiano (Italy) AD 99-267, dated June 10, 1999.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 7, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-9359 Filed 4-13-00; 8:45 am]
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