[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67251-67253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26425]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1003; Product Identifier 2018-SW-086-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and 
AW119MKII helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing certain 
main rotor (M/R) floating ring assemblies from service. This proposed 
AD would also prohibit replacing any washer on any M/R floating ring 
assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a washer 
debonding from the M/R floating ring assembly. The actions of this 
proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 7, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
1003; 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 is listed above. 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, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, 
Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone 
+39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. 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: Kristi Bradley, Aerospace 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

    The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. The FAA also invites 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.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well as a 
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, 
the FAA will consider all comments received on or before the closing 
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the 
comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring 
expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the 
comments received.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2018-0205, dated September 14, 
2018, to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly 
Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.; and 
AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace 
Corporation) Model A109E, A109S, A119, A109LUH, AW109SP, and AW119MKII 
helicopters with certain part-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies 
installed. EASA advises of a report of a washer part number (P/N) 109-
0111-23-101 that debonded from the M/R floating ring assembly on a 
Model A109E helicopter. Investigation results revealed that the M/R 
floating ring assembly had been improperly repaired, and identified a 
batch of M/R floating ring assemblies that could also be affected. Due 
to design similarity, some of those M/R floating ring assemblies may be 
installed on other A109/A119 helicopter models.

[[Page 67252]]

    EASA further advises that this condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to failure of an affected M/R floating ring 
assembly and significant increase of the pilot workload, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. Accordingly, the EASA 
AD requires inspecting the M/R floating ring assembly to identify its 
serial number (S/N), and depending on findings, replacing affected 
serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies. The EASA AD also 
prohibits installing those serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies 
on any helicopter and prohibits replacing washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on 
an M/R floating ring assembly installed on a helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD 
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an 
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of 
the same type designs.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. 109EP-163 for Model A109E helicopters; ASB No. 109S-084 for Model 
A109S helicopters; ASB No.109SP-125 for Model AW109SP helicopters; and 
ASB No. 119-092 for Model A119 and AW119MKll helicopters, all Revision 
A and dated September 13, 2018. This service information contains 
procedures to identify the S/N of the M/R floating ring assembly and 
provides instructions for replacing the floating ring assembly if 
necessary. This service information also specifies replacing certain 
serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies and reporting certain 
information to Leonardo Helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removing from service any M/R 
floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 with 
S/N DA53295148-1, F86782, G130924, J31213, L99, L104, L107, L117, L127, 
L130, M215, P411, R687, R735, R769, R772, or V71, installed on Model 
A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters. This proposed 
AD would also prohibit installing those M/R floating ring assemblies on 
any helicopter. Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit replacing any 
washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on any M/R floating ring assembly installed 
on any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Model A109LUH helicopters, whereas this AD 
does not because that model is not FAA type-certified.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 210 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry. The FAA also estimates that operators may incur the 
following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs 
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Inspecting the M/R floating ring assembly would take about 1 work-
hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $17,850 for the 
U.S. fleet. Replacing an M/R floating ring assembly would take about 8 
work-hours and parts would cost about $5,500 for an estimated cost of 
$6,180 per floating ring assembly.
    According to Leonardo Helicopters, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage by Leonardo Helicopters. Accordingly, the FAA has included all 
costs in the 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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
    The FAA 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-2019-1003; Product Identifier 2018-
SW-086-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. Model A109E, A109S, A119, 
AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters, certificated in any category, 
with a main rotor (M/R) floating ring assembly part number (P/N) 
109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as disbonding of the washer 
from the M/R floating ring assembly. This condition could result in 
a significant increase of pilot workload and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by February 7, 2020.

(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.

[[Page 67253]]

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service, remove from service any M/R 
floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 
with serial number (S/N) DA53295148-1, F86782, G130924, J31213, L99, 
L104, L107, L117, L127, L130, M215, P411, R687, R735, R769, R772, or 
V71.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Do not install any M/R floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-
09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 with S/N DA53295148-1, F86782, 
G130924, J31213, L99, L104, L107, L117, L127, L130, M215, P411, 
R687, R735, R769, R772, or V71 on any helicopter.
    (ii) Do not replace any washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on any M/R 
floating ring assembly installed on any helicopter.

(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: 
Kristi Bradley, Aerospace 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, the FAA suggests 
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) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 109EP-
163, ASB No. 109S-084, ASB No.109SP-125, and ASB No. 119-092, all 
Revision A and dated September 13, 2018, which are not incorporated 
by reference, contain additional information about the subject of 
this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, 
Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone 
+39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. 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. 2018-0205, dated September 14, 2018. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
in the AD Docket.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor 
Head.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 27, 2019.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-26425 Filed 12-6-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P