[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 62 (Friday, April 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17280-17283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06773]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0797; Product Identifier 2018-SW-081-AD; Amendment 
39-21464; AD 2021-05-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-23-08 
for Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters. AD 2017-23-08 required repetitively inspecting the main 
rotor (M/R) rotating scissors, removing certain lower half scissor 
spherical bearings (bearings) from service, replacing the removed 
bearings with a new bearing, and installing a special nut. This new AD 
retains the requirements of AD 2017-23-08 and requires replacing each 
affected bearing with a certain part-numbered bearing. This AD was 
prompted by investigation results determining that a quality control 
issue may have affected the production of the affected bearings. The 
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 7, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 17281]]

of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 7, 2021.

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 https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0797.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-0797; 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: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 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 to supersede AD 2017-23-08, Amendment 39-19102 (82 FR 
55752, November 24, 2017) (AD-2017-23-08). AD 2017-23-08 applied to 
Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters 
with M/R rotating scissors with a bearing part number (P/N) 
3G6230V00654 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 15, 2020 (85 FR 57165). The NPRM proposed to retain the 
repetitive inspection requirements of AD 2017-23-08, and continue to 
require replacing the bearing with an improved bearing, replacing the 
rotating scissor attachment flange with a certain part-numbered 
rotating scissor attachment flange, and replacing the nut with a 
certain part-numbered special nut. The NPRM also proposed to require 
removing each bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 from service and replacing it 
with bearing P/N 3G6230V00655 within 100 hours time-inservice (TIS).
    The NPRM was prompted by EASA Emergency AD (EAD) No. 2017-0028-E, 
dated February 15, 2017 (EASA EAD 2017-0028-E) 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. Model AB139 and AW139 
helicopters. EASA advises that investigation results by the supplier of 
the bearings determined that a quality control issue may have affected 
the production of bearing P/N 3G6230V00654. Accordingly, this AD 
retains the requirements of AD 2017-23-08 and requires replacing 
bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 with P/N 3G6230V00655.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    An individual commenter supported the NPRM.

Request for the FAA To Provide More Information

    Request: One commenter requested more information about the purpose 
of this new AD. The commenter stated that the AD from 2017 (AD 2017-23-
08) already removes all P/N 3G6230V00654 bearings from service.
    FAA Response: The FAA disagrees that this AD is unnecessary. AD 
2017-23-08 only required the replacement of the bearing if it failed an 
inspection, whereas this AD requires this part-numbered bearing to be 
removed from service within a certain compliance time.

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 of the 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD specifies some compliance times using calendar time, 
whereas this AD does not. The EASA AD requires reporting information to 
Leonardo S.p.a. Product Support Engineering, whereas this AD does not.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Bollettino Tecnico No. 
139-392, Revision A, dated February 14, 2017. This service information 
specifies repetitively inspecting the M/R rotating scissors to monitor 
the bearings and replacing the bearing with a new part-numbered 
bearing. This service information also specifies installing a special 
nut in case of lower scissor bearing dislodging.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters AW139 IETP Document Code AMP-
39-A-62-31-00-00A-31AC-A, Rotating control installation--Fixed 
swashplate and rotating scissors--Detailed inspection, Issue 29, dated 
July 31, 2017, which describes procedures for a detailed inspection of 
the fixed swashplate and rotating scissors.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 102 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD.
    Inspecting for bearing liner wear, seat movement, and play takes 
about 1 work-hour for a cost of $85 per helicopter and $8,670 for the 
U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
    Replacing a bearing takes about 2 work-hours and parts cost about 
$950 for a cost of $1,120 per bearing.
    Replacing a rotating scissor attachment flange takes about 0.25 
work-hours and parts cost about $25,629 for a cost of $25,650 per 
flange.
    Installing two special nuts takes about 1 work-hour and parts cost 
about $755 for a cost of $840 per helicopter and $85,680 for the U.S. 
fleet.

[[Page 17282]]

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 has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-23-08, Amendment 39-19102 
(82 FR 55752, November 24, 2017); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2021-05-21 Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Agusta S.p.A.): Amendment 39-21464; Docket No. FAA-2020-0797; 
Product Identifier 2018-SW-081-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Leonardo S.p.a. 
Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certified in any category, with 
main rotor (M/R) rotating scissors with a lower half scissor 
spherical bearing (bearing) P/N 3G6230V00654 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive play of the 
bearing in the M/R rotating scissors. This condition could result in 
failure of the M/R rotating scissor bearing and loss of helicopter 
control.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-23-08, Amendment 39-19102; (82 FR 
55752, November 24, 2017) (AD 2017-23-08).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 7, 2021.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) Within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 11, 2017 
(the effective date of AD 2017-23-08), and thereafter before the 
first flight of each day or at intervals not exceeding 24-clock 
hours, whichever occurs later:
    (i) Using a magnifying glass and a flashlight, visually inspect 
each bearing for wear of the bearing liner. Some examples of wear 
are shown in Figures 4 through 8 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert 
Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-392, Revision A, dated February 14, 2017 
(BT 139-392). If there is any wear of the liner, before further 
flight, replace the bearing with bearing P/N 3G6230V00655 and 
install special nut P/N 3G6230A06851. Replacing the bearing with 
bearing P/N 3G6230V00655 constitutes terminating action for the 
remaining actions of this AD for the bearing.
    (ii) Inspect each bearing for movement. Refer to Figure 9 of BT 
139-392. If the bearing moves freely out of its seat, before further 
flight, replace the rotating scissor attachment flange with flange 
P/N 3G6220A00633, replace the bearing with bearing P/N 3G6230V00655 
and install special nut P/N 3G6230A06851. Replacing the bearing with 
bearing P/N 3G6230V00655 constitutes terminating action for the 
remaining actions of this AD for the bearing.
    (iii) Inspect the M/R rotating scissors for play and wear of 
each bearing, paying particular attention to the bearing staking 
condition, by manually moving the lower half scissor along the axis 
of the spherical bearing. Refer to Figure 1 of BT 139-392. If there 
is any play or wear beyond allowable limits, before further flight, 
replace the bearing with bearing P/N 3G6230V00655 and install 
special nut P/N 3G6230A06851. Replacing the bearing with bearing P/N 
3G6230V00655 constitutes terminating action for the remaining 
actions of this AD for the bearing.
    (2) Within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
replace and torque each lower half scissor nut with special nut P/N 
3G6230A06851 to the M/R rotating scissor in accordance with the 
Compliance Instructions, Part II, steps 5.1 through 5.9 of BT 139-
392, except you are not required to discard parts.
    (3) Within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
remove each bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 from service and replace with 
bearing P/N 3G230V00655.
    (4) After December 11, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-23-
08), do not install on any helicopter any M/R rotating scissors with 
a bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 installed.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, 
send it to the attention of: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) 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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
No. 2017-0028-E, dated February 15, 2017. 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: 6200, Main Rotor 
System.

(j) 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.

[[Page 17283]]

    (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 Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-392, 
Revision A, dated February 14, 2017.
    (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 February 26, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06773 Filed 4-1-21; 8:45 am]
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