[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34072-34074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15304]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0648; Product Identifier 2017-SW-087-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. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require replacing screws installed on the left and 
right main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber assembly. This proposed AD 
is prompted by a report that some screws may have been manufactured 
without meeting specifications. The actions of this proposed AD are 
intended to correct an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 17, 
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-
0648; 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 EASA AD No. 2016-077, dated April 19, 2016, 
to correct an unsafe condition for Finmeccanica S.p.A. (previously 
Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters if equipped with kit 
``Increased Gross Weight 6800 kg'' part number (P/N) 4G0000F00111 
(kit). EASA advises of a manufacturing issue with the standard screws 
(P/N NAS1351-5H12P) installed on MLG shock absorber assembly P/N 
1652B0000-01. According to EASA, a material analysis shows that the MLG 
shock absorber screws may have a lower fatigue life than the screws 
used during the certification fatigue tests. EASA states the affected 
MLG units have been identified by serial number. EASA also advises that 
this unsafe condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
failure of the MLG shock absorber, collapse or retraction of the MLG, 
and subsequent damage to the helicopter and injury to occupants.
    To correct this condition, the EASA AD requires replacing each 
standard screw with a new screw P/N 1652A0001-01 and re-identifying the 
serial number of each MLG shock absorber assembly that has the new 
screw installed, and prohibits installing any affected MLG shock 
absorber assembly unless the screw has been replaced.

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 products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Finmeccanica Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-397, dated 
April 7, 2016, which contains procedures for replacing the standard 
screws installed on the left and right MLG assembly and for re-
identifying the MLG shock absorber assembly P/N and the MLG assembly S/
N.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require replacing each standard screw P/N 
NAS1351-5H12P with a screw P/N 1652A0001-01 and re-identifying the 
serial number of the MLG assembly within the following compliance 
times:

[[Page 34073]]

     For MLG assemblies with 26,800 or more landings, within 
100 hours time-in-service (TIS).
     For MLG assemblies with between 22,000 and 26,799 
landings, within 300 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates 
27,200 landings, whichever occurs first.
     For MLG assemblies with less than 22,000 landings, within 
1,200 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates 23,200 landings, 
whichever occurs first.
    This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an MLG assembly on 
any helicopter unless the screw has been replaced.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 111 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry.
    We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order 
to comply with this proposed AD, based on an average labor rate of $85 
per work-hour. Replacing the screws on the left and right MLG 
assemblies would require about 16 work-hours and $200 for parts, for a 
total cost of $1,560 per helicopter and $173,160 for the U.S. fleet.
    According to Finmeccanica'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 Finmeccanica. 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.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0648; Product Identifier 2017-
SW-087-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with an Increased Gross 
Weight 6,800 Kg kit part number (P/N) 4G0000F00111, and with a main 
landing gear (MLG) assembly with a P/N and serial number (S/N) 
listed in Table 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD installed.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19JY18.000

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an MLG shock absorber 
screw that does not meet specifications. This condition could result 
in failure of the MLG shock absorber, collapse or retraction of the 
MLG, and subsequent damage to the helicopter.

[[Page 34074]]

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 17, 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 the following compliance times, replace each screw P/
N NAS1351-5H12P installed on an MLG shock absorber with a screw P/N 
1652A0001-01. Re-identify the MLG assembly using black permanent ink 
by marking an ``R'' at the end of the S/N of the MLG assembly and 
cover with a transparent coating. For purposes of this AD, a 
``landing'' is counted any time the helicopter lifts off into the 
air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing 
and regardless of whether the engine is shut down:
    (i) For MLG assemblies with 26,800 or more landings, within 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS).
    (ii) For MLG assemblies with between 22,000 and 26,799 landings, 
within 300 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates 27,200 
landings, whichever occurs first.
    (iii) For MLG assemblies with less than 22,000 landings, within 
1,200 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates 23,200 
landings, whichever occurs first.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an MLG 
assembly with a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 to paragraph (a) of 
this AD on any helicopter unless the screw has been replaced and the 
MLG assembly re-identified as described in paragraph (e)(1) of this 
AD.

(f) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(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

    (1) Finmeccanica Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-397, dated April 7, 
2016, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional 
information about the subject of this AD. For service information 
identified in this AD, 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2016-0077, dated April 19, 2016. 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: 3200 Landing Gear 
System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 9, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15304 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P