[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 80 (Friday, April 24, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22970-22972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08644]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0411; Product Identifier 2018-SW-061-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 certain Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A119 and AW119MKII 
helicopters. This proposed AD would require repetitive borescope 
inspections of the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) and depending on the 
inspection results, removing the TGB from service. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of corrosion on the internal surface of the 90-
degree TGB output shaft. 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 June 23, 
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-2020-
0411; 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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously 
European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, 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 view 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy 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. 2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018 
(EASA AD 2018-0156) to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo 
(formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.; 
and AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace 
Corporation) Model A119 and AW119MKII helicopters with 90-degree TGB 
part number (P/N) 109-0440-06-101 or P/N 109-0440-06-105 having serial 
number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through 225 inclusive, 227, 
230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29, installed. EASA advises of 
two reported occurrences of corrosion on the internal surface of the 
90-degree TGB shaft installed on Model A119 helicopters. Further 
analysis identified a specific batch of parts that may be susceptible 
to similar conditions. Due to design similarity, Model AW119MKII 
helicopters are also affected.
    EASA states that this condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to failure of the tail rotor, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0156 requires 
performing repetitive endoscope inspections on the internal surface of 
the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion and depending on the 
findings, replacing the TGB. EASA further states EASA AD 2018-0156 is 
considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.

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

[[Page 22971]]

likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type 
designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 
119-090, dated July 23, 2018, for Model A119 and AW119MKII helicopters, 
which contains procedures for conducting an endoscope inspection of the 
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion. This 
service information also specifies replacing the TGB if corrosion is 
found.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require compliance with certain procedures 
described in the manufacturer's service bulletin. For helicopters with 
an affected 90-degree TGB output shaft installed, this proposed AD 
would require within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, 
whichever comes first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 
hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, borescope inspecting the 
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion. If 
there is corrosion, this proposed AD would require removing the TGB 
from service before further flight.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this proposed AD to be an interim action. An 
investigation is ongoing and if final action is later identified, the 
FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 96 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.
    Borescope inspecting the 90-degree TGB output shaft would take 
about 3 work-hours for an estimated cost of $255 per helicopter and 
$24,480 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
    Replacing a (overhauled) TGB would take about 18 work-hours and 
parts would cost about $49,000 (overhauled) for an estimated cost of 
$50,530 per helicopter.
    According to Leonardo's service information, 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. 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.

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-2020-0411; Product Identifier 2018-
SW-061-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119MKII 
helicopters, certified in any category, with 90-degree tail rotor 
gearbox (TGB) part number (P/N) 109-0440-06-101 or 109-0440-06-105 
having serial number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through 225 
inclusive, 227, 230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29, 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion on the 
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft. This condition 
could result in failure of the 90-degree TGB output shaft and 
reduced control of the helicopter.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by June 23, 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.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever 
occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours 
TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, borescope inspect the 
entire internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for 
corrosion. Refer to Figure 3 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service 
Bulletin No. 119-090, dated July 23, 2018, for a depiction of the 
entry point for the borescope. If there is corrosion, before further 
flight, remove from service the TGB.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
helicopter any 90-degree TGB P/N 109-0440-06-101 or 109-0440-06-105 
that has serial number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through 
225 inclusive, 227, 230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29, 
unless the actions required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD have been 
done.

(f) 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: 
Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy 
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

[[Page 22972]]

operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
No. 2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 62, Tail Rotor 
Gearbox.

    Issued on April 20, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08644 Filed 4-23-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P