[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 15, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49727-49728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20185]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-SW-05-AD; Amendment 39-11853; AD 2000-15-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109A and A109A II 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109A and A109A II helicopters. This AD 
requires radiographic inspections of the internal surface of each main 
rotor blade spar (spar) for corrosion. This AD is prompted by the 
discovery of corrosion on the internal surfaces of the spar in the area 
adjacent to the main rotor blade inertia balance weights. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of a main rotor 
blade due to corrosion on the internal surface of the spar and 
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: Effective September 19, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Via 
Giovanni Agusta 520, telephone (0331) 229111, fax (0331) 229605-222595. 
This information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Grigg, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations Group, Fort Worth, Texas 
76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5490, fax (817) 222-5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD for Agusta Model 
A109A and A109A II helicopters was published in the Federal Register on 
May 3, 2000 (65 FR 25692). That action proposed to require radiographic 
inspections of the upper and lower sides of each main rotor blade for 
spar corrosion. That action also proposed to require an initial 
radiographic inspection with recurring radiographic inspections at 
intervals not to exceed 24 months. If corrosion is detected at the STA 
1354 centered radiographic inspection, removing the blade from service 
was proposed. If corrosion is detected at the STA 2825 centered 
radiographic inspection, additional inspections either by eddy current 
at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or by dye 
penetrant at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS were proposed.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. The FAA 
has determined that air safety and the public interest require the 
adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 54 helicopters of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 10 work hours for the 
initial radiographic inspection and 4 work hours for each eddy current 
inspection per helicopter and the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $343,440 assuming every helicopter 
requires an eddy current inspection each month for a 24-month interval 
and assuming that no blade will need to be replaced.
    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

2000-15-20  Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-11853. Docket No. 2000-SW-
05-AD.

    Applicability: Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, with main 
rotor blade part number (P/N) 109-0103-01-(all dash numbers except 
P/N 109-0103-01-115), installed, certificated 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 (d) of 
this AD.

[[Page 49728]]

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 a main rotor blade due to corrosion on the 
internal surface of the spar and subsequent loss of control of the 
helicopter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS), perform a 
radiographic inspection of the upper and lower surfaces of each main 
rotor blade for internal corrosion on the spar in accordance with 
(IAW) Part I, paragraph 4, of Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-111, 
dated October 14, 1999 (ASB).
    (1) If no corrosion is detected, re-identify the blade by vibro-
etching the letter ``R'' after the serial number on the nameplate.
    (2) If corrosion is detected at the STA 1354 centered 
inspection, remove the affected blade from service before further 
flight.
    (3) If corrosion is detected at the STA 2825 centered 
inspection, re-identify the blade by vibro-etching the letters 
``RC'' after the serial number on the nameplate.
    (b) After re-identifying a blade with the letter ``R'' after the 
serial number on the nameplate in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) 
of this AD, at intervals not to exceed 24 months, repeat the 
radiographic inspection IAW Part I, paragraph 4, of the ASB.
    (1) If corrosion is detected at the STA 1354 centered 
inspection, remove the affected blade from service before further 
flight.
    (2) If corrosion is detected at the STA 2825 centered 
inspection, re-identify the blade by vibro-etching the letter ``C'' 
after the letter ``R'' previously vibro-etched on the nameplate 
after the serial number.
    (c) After re-identifying a blade with the letters ``RC'' after 
the serial number on the nameplate IAW paragraph (a)(3) or (b)(2) of 
this AD,
    (1) At intervals not to exceed 24 months, repeat the STA 1354 
centered radiographic inspection IAW Part I, paragraph 4.3 of the 
ASB, and
    (2) Perform either:
    (i) An eddy current inspection and, thereafter, at intervals not 
to exceed 25 hours TIS, repeat the eddy current inspection centered 
at STA 2825 in accordance with Part II, paragraph 1, of the ASB, or
    (ii) A dye penetrant inspection and, thereafter, at intervals 
not to exceed 10 hours TIS, repeat the dye-penetrant inspection 
centered at STA 2825 IAW with Part II, paragraph 2, of the ASB.
    (3) If corrosion is detected at the STA 1354 centered 
radiographic inspection or if a crack is detected at the STA 2825 
centered eddy currant or dye penetrant inspection, remove the 
affected blade from service before further flight.
    (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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Regulations Group.

    (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.
    (f) The inspections and modifications shall be done in 
accordance with Part I, paragraph 4, and Part II, paragraph 1 or 2, 
of Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-111, dated October 14, 1999. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies of the service bulletin may be obtained from Agusta, 
21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Via Giovanni Agusta 520, 
telephone (0331) 229111, fax (0331) 229605-222595. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 19, 2000.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Registro 
Aeronautico Italiano (Italy) AD No. 99-413, dated October 19, 1999.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 1, 2000.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20185 Filed 8-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U