[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 17, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14526-14528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05263]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 27

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1011; Notice No. 27-051-SC]


Special Conditions: AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, 
Leonardo S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 MKII Helicopters; Pressure 
Refueling and Fueling Provisions

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 14527]]


ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Leonardo S.p.A. 
(Leonardo) Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. These helicopters as 
modified by AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (AWPC) will have a 
novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of 
technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for helicopters. 
This design feature is the optional closed circuit refueling receiver 
(CCRR). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain 
adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 
special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the 
Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety 
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: Effective April 16, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao Edupuganti, Dynamic Systems 
Section, AIR-627, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177; 
telephone (817) 222-4389.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On January 30, 2020, AWPC applied for a supplemental type 
certificate to install an optional CCRR in the Leonardo Model A119 and 
AW119 MKII helicopters. The general configuration and the principles of 
construction of these helicopters will not be changed by the 
modifications. These helicopters are 14 CFR part 27 normal category 
helicopters powered by turboshaft engines, with a 7-passenger maximum 
capacity and minimum crew of one pilot and a maximum weight of 5,997 lb 
(2,720 kg) and 6,283 lb (2,850 kg), respectively. The total useable 
fuel capacity of the Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters is 
157.0 U.S. gallons distributed within the fuel tanks. Both helicopter 
models are powered by one Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc. PT6B-37A 
turboshaft engine.
    Part 27 does not contain requirements for pressure refueling for 
normal category helicopters. Title 14 CFR 29.979, amendment 29-12, 
provides these requirements for transport category helicopters. 
Accordingly, these special conditions are based on Sec.  29.979 to 
provide requirements for the inclusion of the optional CCRR on the 
Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, AWPC must show that the 
Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, as changed, continue to 
meet the applicable provisions of the regulations listed in Type 
Certificate No. H7EU or the applicable regulations in effect on the 
date of application for the change. The regulations adopted by 
reference in the type certificate are commonly referred to as the 
``original type certification basis.'' The certification basis also 
includes certain special conditions, exemptions, or later amended 
sections of the applicable part that are not relevant to these special 
conditions.
    The Administrator has determined that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for 
the Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters because of a novel 
or unusual design feature. Therefore, special conditions are prescribed 
under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on the same type 
certificate to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, 
these special conditions would also apply to the other model under 
Sec.  21.101.
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Feature

    The Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters will incorporate 
the following novel or unusual design feature: An optional CCRR system 
that allows for pressure refueling.

Discussion

    AWPC proposed to install an optional CCRR system that includes 
provisions for pressure refueling during ground operations with the 
engine running and the rotors turning. The design proposed by AWPC 
allows for both closed-circuit pressure and normal gravity refueling 
and fueling. In this design, the ground crew will be able to perform 
closed-circuit pressure refueling by pulling the receiver into place 
using the provided lanyard tool after the fuel filler cap is opened. 
When gravity fueling is desired, a latch is depressed using the same 
lanyard tool. Depressing the latch causes the receiver to swing open to 
accommodate any nozzle up to three inches in diameter. The CCRR system 
is currently certified on the Leonardo Model AW139 transport category 
helicopter. Relative to the Model AW139 installation, the Model A119 
and AW119 MKII installations will be clocked 25 degrees counter-
clockwise, and the receptacle flange will be offset approximately two 
inches outboard of the fuselage profile due to packaging constraints. 
The mechanical components and functional aspects of the Model A119 and 
AW119 MKII CCRR installations are unchanged from the previously 
certified AW139 installation.
    The part 27 airworthiness regulations in the type certification 
basis do not contain appropriate safety standards for this design 
feature. However, part 29 regulations contain appropriate airworthiness 
standards; therefore, these special conditions are necessary. They are 
derived from 14 CFR 29.979, ``Pressure refueling and fueling provisions 
below fuel level.''
    Section 29.979, amendment 29-12, effective February 1, 1977, 
includes standards for pressure refueling and fueling provisions below 
fuel level on transport category helicopters. This regulation is 
intended to prevent hazards to ground crew, flight crew, and occupants 
by reducing the probability of exposure to hazardous quantities of fuel 
due to spillage. This regulation also ensures the pressure refueling/
defueling system is designed to prevent overfilling the fuel tank and 
to withstand an ultimate load overpressure event without failure.
    Section 29.979(a) requires that each fueling connection below the 
fuel level in each tank have means to prevent the escape of hazardous 
quantities of fuel from that tank in case of malfunction of the fuel 
entry valve. The only refueling connection on the Leonardo Model A119 
and AW119 MKII helicopters is located above the fuel level of the 
single main upper, two main lower, and optional two auxiliary fuel 
tanks. As the proposed modification by AWPC does not move the existing 
refueling connection below the fuel line of any fuel tank, these 
special conditions do not include a requirement derived from 14 CFR 
29.979(a).
    Section 29.979(b) requires that systems intended for pressure 
refueling and fueling have a means in addition to the normal means for 
limiting the tank content to prevent damage to the tank in case of 
failure of the normal means.
    Section 29.979(c) requires that the helicopter pressure fueling 
system (not fuel tanks and fuel tank vents) withstand an ultimate load 
that is 2.0 times the load arising from the maximum pressure, including 
surge, likely to occur during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must 
be established with any combination of

[[Page 14528]]

tank valves being either intentionally or inadvertently closed.
    Section 29.979(d) requires that the helicopter defueling system 
(not including fuel tanks and fuel tank vents) withstand an ultimate 
load that is 2.0 times the load arising from the maximum permissible 
defueling pressure (positive or negative) at the helicopter's fueling 
connection. As the design proposed by AWPC does not include a defueling 
capability, these special conditions do not include a requirement 
derived from 14 CFR 29.979(d).
    These special conditions contain the additional safety standards 
that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of 
safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness 
standards.

Discussion of Comments

    The FAA issued Notice of Proposed Special Conditions No. 27-051-SC 
for the Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, which was 
published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2020 (85 FR 69265). No 
comments were received, and the special conditions are adopted as 
proposed.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to 
Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. Should AWPC apply at a 
later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other 
model included on Type Certificate No. H7EU to incorporate the same 
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply 
to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only one novel or unusual design feature on the 
Leonardo Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. It is not a rule of 
general applicability and affects only the applicant who applied to the 
FAA for approval of this feature on these helicopters.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 27

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Authority Citation

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Special Conditions

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of 
the type certification basis for Leonardo S.p.A. Model A119 and AW119 
MKII helicopters, as modified by AgustaWestland Philadelphia 
Corporation.
    The pressure refueling system must be designed and installed as 
follows:
    (a) For systems intended for pressure refueling, a means in 
addition to the normal means for limiting the tank content must be 
installed to prevent damage to the fuel tank in case of failure of the 
normal means.
    (b) The helicopter pressure fueling system (not fuel tanks and fuel 
tank vents) must withstand an ultimate load that is 2.0 times the load 
arising from maximum pressure, including surge, that is likely to occur 
during fueling. The maximum surge pressure must be established with any 
combination of tank valves being either intentionally or inadvertently 
closed.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 11, 2020.
Jorge Castillo,
Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, AIR-680, Policy & Innovation 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-05263 Filed 3-16-21; 8:45 am]
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