[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 110 (Monday, June 8, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35018-35021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12155]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0554; Product Identifier 2016-SW-088-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 AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This 
proposed AD would require removing certain main gearbox (MGB) input 
modules from service. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery 
that a batch of duplex bearings, which are installed on the MGB input 
modules, are defective. 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 July 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://

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www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0554; or in person at the Docket Operations Office 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 (now 
European Union 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 2016-0255R1, dated January 17, 2017 
(EASA AD 2016-0255R1) to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo 
(formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, 
Agusta Aerospace Corporation) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with 
certain serial-numbered MGB input modules part-number (P/N) 
3K6320A00135 or P/N 3K6320A00136 installed. EASA advises that the 
supplier of a batch of duplex bearings installed on MGB input modules 
reported that the bearings were defective, due to a quality control 
issue. This condition, if not detected or corrected, could lead to 
damage of the input module duplex ball bearing inner race, possibly 
resulting in loss of engine power and reduced control of the 
helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2016-0255R1 requires removing the 
affected MGB input modules from service.

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 Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-
303, dated September 20, 2016, which specifies replacing certain duplex 
bearings on MGB left-hand and right-hand input modules on Model AB139 
and AW139 helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require compliance with certain procedures 
described in the manufacturer's service bulletin. For helicopters with 
one affected MGB input module installed, this proposed AD would require 
the affected MGB input module to be removed from service within 1200 
hours time-in-service (TIS). For helicopters with two affected MGB 
input modules installed, this proposed AD would require both affected 
MGB input modules to be removed from service within 300 hours TIS.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires returning affected parts and sending 
information to Leonardo; however, this proposed AD would not.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 71 helicopters 
of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the 
following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are 
estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Replacing one input module would require about 60 work-hours for an 
estimated cost of $5,100 and parts would cost about $84,847 for an 
estimated cost of $89,947 per helicopter.
    Replacing two input modules would require about 100 work-hours for 
an estimated cost of $8,500 and parts would cost about $169,694 for an 
estimated cost of $178,194 per helicopter.

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

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    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-2020-0554; Product Identifier 2016-
SW-088-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters, certified in any category, with main gearbox (MGB) 
input module part number (P/N) 3K6320A00135 with serial number (S/N) 
KHI-200 or P/N 3K6320A00136 with an S/N listed in Table 1 to this 
paragraph installed. 
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP08JN20.003

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as defective duplex 
bearings on MGB input modules, due to a quality control issue. This 
condition could result in damage including corrosion and cracking, 
which could result in excessive heat of the input module duplex ball 
bearing inner race and subsequent loss of engine power and loss of 
helicopter control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by July 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) If the P/N and S/N of both MGB input modules are listed in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, within 300 hours time-in-service (TIS), 
remove from service each MGB input module.
    (2) If the P/N and S/N of only one MGB input module are listed 
in paragraph (a) of this AD, within 1,200 hours TIS, remove from 
service that MGB input module.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an MGB 
input module with a P/N and S/N listed in paragraph (a) of this AD 
on any helicopter.

(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

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operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 
2016-0255R1, dated January 17, 2017. 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: 6320, Rotor 
Drive--Gearbox.

    Issued on June 1, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12155 Filed 6-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P