[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 198 (Monday, October 18, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57579-57581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22465]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0565; Project Identifier 2018-SW-111-AD; Amendment 
39-21743; AD 2021-20-05]
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 Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by 
a report of an incorrect connection of the inflation hoses to the tee 
manifolds of the inflation line on the emergency flotation system (EFS) 
assembly. This AD requires visually inspecting the yellow sleeves and 
hoses installed on each EFS assembly and depending on the inspection 
results, accomplishing the corrective actions in the applicable service 
information as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 22, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of November 22, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the 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 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. It is also available 
in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0565.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0565; 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 final rule, the 
EASA AD, any comments received, and other information. The 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: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7323; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0279, dated December 14, 2018 
(EASA AD 2018-0279), to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.a. 
(formerly Finmeccanica Helicopter Division, AgustaWestland) Model AW189 
helicopters.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Leonardo S.p.a. 
Model AW189 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
July 15, 2021 (86 FR 37258). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a 
discrepancy found during a maintenance inspection related to the 
connection of the inflation hoses to the helicopter tee manifolds. EASA 
AD 2018-0279 states the yellow sleeve on the right-hand (RH) aft EFS 
assembly was installed on the straight-to-straight hose instead of the 
straight-to-45 degree hose, which caused the two hoses to be 
incorrectly connected to the tee manifolds at the inflation line. The

[[Page 57580]]

NPRM proposed to require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 
2018-0279, 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 EASA AD 2018-0279.''
    The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent partial inflation of the 
flotation bags which could prevent a timely egress from the helicopter 
and consequent injury to helicopter occupants. See EASA AD 2018-0279 
for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these helicopters.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2018-0279 requires a visual inspection of each affected EFS 
assembly for correct installation of the yellow sleeves and proper 
connection of the inflation hoses to the float assembly and the bottle 
assembly. Depending on these inspection results, if an incorrect 
installation of the yellow sleeve or an incorrect connection of the 
inflation hoses is detected, EASA AD 2018-0279 requires, before next 
flight, removing incorrectly installed yellow sleeves, and incorrectly 
installed hoses, restoring markings on re-installed yellow sleeves, and 
re-connecting or re-installing hoses in accordance with the applicable 
service information. EASA AD 2018-0279 also prohibits installing any 
affected EFS assembly on any helicopter.
    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.

Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2018-0279

    EASA AD 2018-0279 applies to Model AW189 helicopters, all serial 
numbers (S/Ns), whereas this AD only applies to Model AW189 helicopters 
with EFS assemblies having certain part-numbered aft assemblies with 
certain S/Ns installed.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Visually inspecting each EFS assembly takes about 0.75 work-hours 
for an estimated cost of $64 per inspection and $260 for the U.S. 
fleet.
    Performing the corrective actions on each EFS assembly takes about 
1.25 work-hours for an estimated cost of $113 per EFS assembly.

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.

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:

2021-20-05 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21743; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0565; Project Identifier 2018-SW-111-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 22, 
2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with an affected emergency flotation 
system (EFS) assembly as defined in European Aviation Safety Agency 
(now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0279, 
dated December 14, 2018 (EASA AD 2018-0279).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212, Emergency 
Flotation Section; 2560, Emergency Equipment.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an incorrect connection of 
the inflation hoses to the tee manifolds of the inflation line on 
the EFS assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect incorrect 
installation of the inflation hoses on the EFS assembly. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in partial inflation of 
the flotation bags in a ditching event, preventing a timely egress 
from the helicopter and consequent injury to the helicopter 
occupants.

(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 2018-0279.

[[Page 57581]]

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2018-0279

    (1) Where EASA AD 2018-0279 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2018-0279 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (3) Where the service information required by EASA AD 2018-0279 
specifies recording compliance with the service bulletin in the 
helicopter logbook, this AD does not include that requirement.
    (4) Where EASA AD 2018-0279 identifies all Model AW189 
helicopters, all serial numbers in the applicability, this AD is 
only applicable to Model AW189 with an affected EFS assembly as 
defined in the definitions paragraph of the EASA AD.
    (5) This AD does not require the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2018-0279.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2018-0279 
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) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7323; email [email protected].

(l) 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) European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0279, dated December 14, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2018-0279, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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 material 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 15, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22465 Filed 10-15-21; 8:45 am]
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