[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 163 (Thursday, August 26, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47608-47611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18256]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0697; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01540-R]
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. Model A109E helicopters. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of cracking in the center fuselage frame 
assembly in the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at 
station (STA) 1815 on the left- and right-hand sides. This proposed AD 
would require repetitive inspections of the intersection of the lateral 
pylon and floor spar at STA 1815 for cracking and, depending on the 
findings, repair, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference 
(IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 12, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For EASA material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact 
EASA,

[[Page 47609]]

Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 
000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this IBR material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material 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. The EASA material is also 
available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0697.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0697; 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 NPRM, the EASA AD, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0697; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01540'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 
1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA 
receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in 
the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0256, dated November 17, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0256), to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo 
S.p.A., formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., and Agusta 
S.p.A., Model A109E helicopters, serial numbers 11001 through 11674 
inclusive.
    This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the center 
fuselage frame assembly in the intersection of the lateral pylon and 
floor spar at STA 1815 on the left- and right-hand sides. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address cracking in the center fuselage frame 
assembly in the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at STA 
1815 on the left- and right-hand sides, which, if not addressed, could 
affect the structural integrity of the helicopter. See EASA AD 2020-
0256 for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0256 requires repetitive inspections of STA 1815 for 
cracking, fluorescent liquid penetrant inspections of any cracking to 
determine the extent of the cracking, and repair if necessary. For both 
the left- and right-hand side repair, the actions include removing 
equipment and furnishings to gain access to the work area; testing the 
flight control system for correct travel of the flight controls; 
performing an operational test of the cockpit and passenger doors 
caution system; installing a new forward cap; installing a new angle, 
butt strap, and web; installing new cotter pins; and re-installing the 
removed equipment and furnishings when the repair is complete.
    For the left-hand side repair, the actions also include replacing 
the nut plates with new nut plates, and an operational test of the 
collective control system and tail rotor control system. For the right-
hand side repair, the actions include an operational test of the cyclic 
control system.
    This material 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.

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 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
on other helicopters of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in EASA AD 2020-0256, described previously, as incorporated by 
reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this proposed AD and except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2020-0256 specifies to accomplish corrective actions if 
``any crack is detected in an affected area'' during a required 
inspection. Figure 1 of the service information referenced in EASA AD 
2020-0256 depicts the affected area, but the FWD bulkhead is mislabeled 
as AFT. This proposed AD includes an exception to clarify the correct 
location of the FWD bulkhead depicted in Figure 1.

[[Page 47610]]

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2020-0256 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2020-0256 in its entirety through that incorporation, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of 
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading 
of a particular section in EASA AD 2020-0256 does not mean that 
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD 
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,'' 
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section 
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2020-
0256. Service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 for 
compliance will be available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0697 after the FAA final 
rule is published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 70 helicopters of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                      Labor cost          Parts cost    Cost per product        operators
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Inspection......................  6 work-hours x $85 per             $0  $510 per inspection  $35,700 per
                                   hour = $510 per                        cycle.               inspection cycle.
                                   inspection cycle.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
The agency has no way of determining the number of helicopters that 
might need these repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost            Cost per product
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Repair left-hand side................  120 work-hours x $85     $6,600.................  $16,800
                                        per hour = $10,200.
Repair right-hand side...............  120 work-hour x $85 per  5,200..................  15,400
                                        hour = $10,200.
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    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected operators.

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 above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

Leonardo S.p.a.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0697; Project Identifier MCAI-
2020-01540-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by October 12, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109E helicopters, 
certificated in any

[[Page 47611]]

category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD 2020-0256, dated November 17, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0256).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5300, Fuselage 
Structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the center 
fuselage frame assembly in the intersection of the lateral pylon and 
floor spar at station (STA) 1815 on the left- and right-hand sides. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the intersection 
of the lateral pylon and floor spar at STA 1815 on the left- and 
right-hand sides, which, if not addressed, could affect the 
structural integrity of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2020-0256.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0256

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0256 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2020-0256 AD refers to its effective date, 
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where Figure 1 of the service information referenced in EASA 
AD 2020-0256 depicts the AFT bulkhead twice, for clarification, the 
FWD bulkhead is mislabeled as AFT and depicted on the left side of 
Figure 1, below 109-0320-96 POST ASSY (REF) and above FWD CAP.
    (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-
0256 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those 
parts from service.
    (5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0256 or the service 
information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 specifies to contact the 
manufacturer for repair information, for this AD: Before further 
flight, do the repair using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a.'s 
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (6) This AD does not require the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2020-0256.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, 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 International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For EASA AD 2020-0256, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 
material 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. This material may be found in the AD docket at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0697.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; email [email protected].

    Issued on August 18, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18256 Filed 8-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P