[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 184 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59404-59406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20750]


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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; Amendment 
39-21254; AD 2020-19-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A119 and AW119 MKII 
helicopters. This AD requires repetitive borescope inspections of the 
tail rotor gearbox (TGB) and depending on the inspection results, 
removing the TGB from service.

[[Page 59405]]

This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the internal surface of 
the 90-degree TGB output shaft. The actions of this AD are intended to 
address an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 27, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 27, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final 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. It is 
also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0411.

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-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 AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any service information that is 
incorporated by reference, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 
20590.

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:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Leonardo Model A119 and 
AW119 MKII 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on April 24, 2020 (85 FR 22970). The NPRM proposed to 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. Depending on the 
inspection results, the NPRM proposed to require removing the TGB from 
service before further flight. The proposed requirements were intended 
to prevent corrosion on the internal surface of the 90-degree TGB 
output shaft, failure of the 90-degree TGB output shaft, and reduced 
control of the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD No. 2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018 
(EASA AD 2018-0156), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition 
for Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters (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 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, the EASA AD 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.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this AD, but the FAA did not receive any comments on the 
NPRM.

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 of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters 
of these same type designs and that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting the AD requirements as proposed except for minor 
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes are 
consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing 
the unsafe condition and do not add any additional burden upon the 
public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates this AD affects 96 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.
    Borescope inspecting the 90-degree TGB output shaft takes 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 takes about 18 work-hours and parts 
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.

[[Page 59406]]

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 helicopters identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2020-19-11 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21254; Docket No. FAA-2020-
0411; Product Identifier 2018-SW-061-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII 
helicopters, certificated 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) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 27, 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, 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 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. 
2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-0411.

(h) Subject

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

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 119-090, 
dated July 23, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 
6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 817-222-5110.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 9, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-20750 Filed 9-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P