Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Helicopters, 34247-34249 [2015-14415]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 115 / Tuesday, June 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2015–2119; Directorate
Identifier 2015–SW–005–AD; Amendment
39–18179; AD 2015–05–51]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta
S.p.A. (Agusta) Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
We are publishing a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta
Model A109A and A109A II helicopters,
which was sent previously to all known
U.S. owners and operators of these
helicopters. This AD requires replacing
a certain part-numbered blade with an
approved part-numbered blade. This AD
is prompted by an error in the
Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) that
incorrectly allows installation of a
certain part-numbered blade on the
affected helicopters. These actions are
intended to prevent blade failure and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Martin Crane, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone (817) 222 5110; email
Martin.R.Crane@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD becomes effective July
1, 2015 to all persons except those
persons to whom it was made
immediately effective by Emergency AD
2015–05–51, issued on March 3, 2015,
which contained the requirements of
this AD.
We must receive comments on this
AD by August 17, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: Send comments to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the
‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
This AD is a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety, and
we did not provide you with notice and
an opportunity to provide your
comments prior to it becoming effective.
However, we invite you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also
invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or
federalism impacts that resulted from
adopting this AD. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the AD, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. To ensure the docket
does not contain duplicate comments,
commenters should send only one copy
of written comments, or if comments are
filed electronically, commenters should
submit them only one time. We will file
in the docket all comments that we
receive, as well as a report summarizing
each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerning this
rulemaking during the comment period.
We will consider all the comments we
receive and may conduct additional
rulemaking based on those comments.
Examining the AD Docket
Discussion
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov or in person at the
Docket Operations Office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
On March 3, 2015, we issued
Emergency AD 2015–05–51 to correct an
unsafe condition for Agusta Model
A109A helicopters, serial numbers 7154
through 7255, and for all Model A109A
DATES:
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this AD, the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for the
Docket Operations Office (telephone
800–647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in
this AD, contact AgustaWestland,
Product Support Engineering, Via del
Gregge, 100, 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA)
Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D’Angelo;
telephone 39–0331–664757; fax 39–
0331–664680; or at https://
www.agustawestland.com/technicalbulletins. You may review the
referenced service information at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas
76137.
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34247
II helicopters. Emergency AD 2015–05–
51 requires replacing blade part number
(P/N) 109–0103–01–7 with blade P/N
109–0103–01–9 or 109–0103–01–115.
The emergency AD was sent previously
to all known U.S. owners and operators
of these helicopters. This action was
prompted by an error in the IPC that
allows installing blade P/N 109–0103–
01–7 on certain serial-numbered Model
A109A helicopters and on Model
A109A II helicopters.
Emergency AD 2015–05–51 was
prompted by Emergency AD No. 2015–
0025–E, dated February 18, 2015, issued
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, to correct an unsafe condition
for certain serial-numbered Agusta
Model A109A and all Model A109A II
helicopters. EASA advises of the
installation of blade P/N 109–0103–01–
7 on Model A109A II helicopters. In a
subsequent investigation, it was
determined that blade P/N 109–0103–
01–7 is only eligible for installation on
Model A109A helicopters up to serial
number (S/N) 7153. EASA states that for
Model A109A and A109A II helicopters,
the current IPC incorrectly allows
installing blade P/N 109–0103–01–7 on
all helicopters. The EASA AD requires
identifying each blade P/N 109–0103–
01–7 and replacing it with P/N 109–
0103–01–9 or P/N 109–0103–01–115.
The EASA AD also prohibits installing
blade P/N 109–0103–01–7 on Model
A109A helicopters from S/N 7154
through 7255 inclusive and on all
Model A109A II helicopters.
FAA’s Determination
These helicopters have been approved
by the aviation authority of Italy and are
approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to our bilateral
agreement with Italy, EASA, its
technical representative, has notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the
EASA EAD. We are issuing this AD
because we evaluated all information
provided by EASA and determined the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other helicopters of
these same type designs.
Related Service Information
AgustaWestland Alert Bollettino
Tecnico No. 109–142, dated February
17, 2015, specifies determining whether
the affected part-numbered blade is
installed and, if installed, replacing it
with blade P/N 109–0103–01–9 or P/N
109–0103–01–115. Also, the service
information states that AgustaWestland
has updated the A109A/AII IPC to give
the correct information about the
applicable configuration.
E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM
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34248
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 115 / Tuesday, June 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before further flight,
replacing blade P/N 109–0103–01–7
with blade P/N 109–0103–01–9 or 109–
0103–01–115.
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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
34 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur
the following costs in order to comply
with this AD. Labor costs are estimated
at $85 per hour. We estimate 1 work
hour to replace a blade and $143,000 for
required parts, for a total cost of
$143,085 per blade.
Regulatory Findings
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
FAA’s Justification and Determination
of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public
comments prior to adopting these AD
requirements would delay
implementing the safety actions needed
to correct this known unsafe condition.
Therefore, we found and continue to
find that the risk to the flying public
justifies waiving notice and comment
prior to the adoption of this rule
because the previously described unsafe
condition can adversely affect the
controllability of the helicopter and the
required action must be accomplished
before further flight.
Since an unsafe condition exists that
requires the immediate adoption of this
AD, we determined that notice and
opportunity for public comment before
issuing this AD are impracticable and
contrary to the public interest and that
good cause existed for making the AD
effective immediately by Emergency AD
2015–05–51, issued on March 3, 2015,
to all known U.S. owners and operators
of these helicopters. These conditions
still exist and the AD is hereby
published in the Federal Register as an
amendment to section 39.13 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
39.13) to make it effective to all persons.
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.
We are 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
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We 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, I certify
that this AD:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska to the extent that it justifies
making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
the installation of a blade that does not meet
type design. This condition could result in
blade failure and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective July 1, 2015 to
all persons except those persons to whom it
was made immediately effective by EAD
2015–05–51, issued on March 3, 2015, which
contained the requirements of this AD.
(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
Before further flight, replace each blade
with blade P/N 109–0103–01–9 or 109–0103–
01–115.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Martin Crane,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft
Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222
5110; email Martin.R.Crane@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
(g) Additional Information
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
(1) AgustaWestland Alert Bollettino
Tecnico No. 109–142, dated February 17,
2015, which is not incorporated by reference,
contains additional information about the
subject of this AD. For a copy of the service
information referenced in this AD, contact:
AgustaWestland, Product Support
Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100, 21015
Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio
D’Angelo; telephone 39–0331–664757; fax
39–0331–664680; or at https://
www.agustawestland.com/technicalbulletins. You may review the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Emergency AD No. 2015–0025–E, dated
February 18, 2015. You may view the EASA
AD on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA–
2015–2119.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
2015–05–51 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39–
18179; Docket No. FAA–2015–2119;
Directorate Identifier 2015–SW–005–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model A109A
helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 7154
through 7255, and all Model A109A II
helicopters, with a main rotor blade (blade)
part number (P/N) 109–0103–01–7 installed,
certificated in any category.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
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(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code: 6210 Main Rotor Blades.
E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM
16JNR1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 115 / Tuesday, June 16, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 2,
2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–14415 Filed 6–15–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0618; Directorate
Identifier 2012–NM–171–AD; Amendment
39–18178; AD 2015–12–05]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are superseding
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008–06–
18 for all Airbus Model A300 B4–600,
B4–600R, and F4–600R series airplanes,
and Model A300 C4–605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called Model
A300–600 series airplanes); and Model
A300 series airplanes. AD 2008–06–18
required repetitive inspections for any
cracking of the wing lower skin panel
and associated internal support
structure, and if necessary, corrective
actions such as modifying the lower
panel inboard of rib 9 aft of the rear spar
and repairing cracks. This new AD
continues to require actions required by
AD 2008–06–18, and reduces certain
compliance times. This AD was
prompted by a report that information
from an analysis and a fleet survey
shows a need for reduced compliance
times and intervals. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct cracking,
which could lead to reduced structural
integrity of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July
21, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of July 21, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain other publications listed in
this AD as of April 23, 2008 (73 FR
14670, March 19, 2008).
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0618; or in
person at the Docket Management
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:14 Jun 15, 2015
Jkt 235001
Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC.
For service information identified in
this AD, contact Airbus SAS
Airworthiness Office– EAW, 1 Rond
Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36
96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
Internet https://www.airbus.com. You
may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425–227–1221. It is also
available on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2014–
0618.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057–3356; telephone 425–227–2125;
fax 425–227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2008–06–18,
Amendment 39–15430 (73 FR 14670,
March 19, 2008). AD 2008–06–18
applied to all Airbus Model A300 B4–
600, B4–600R, and F4–600R series
airplanes, and Model A300 C4–605R
Variant F airplanes (collectively called
Model A300–600 series airplanes); and
Model A300 series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
September 3, 2014 (79 FR 52263). The
NPRM proposed to continue to require
repetitive inspections for any cracking
of the wing lower skin panel and
associated internal support structure,
and if necessary, corrective actions such
as modifying the lower panel inboard of
rib 9 aft of the rear spar and repairing
cracks. The NPRM also proposed to
reduce some compliance times.
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness
Directive 2012–0203, dated October 1,
2012 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct
an unsafe condition on all Airbus Model
A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R
series airplanes, and Model A300 C4–
605R Variant F airplanes (collectively
called Model A300–600 series
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
34249
airplanes); and Model A300 series
airplanes. The MCAI states:
During routine maintenance, cracks were
found in the wing bottom skin and in the
associated internal support structure on an
A300 aeroplane aft of the rear spar and
inboard of rib 9. Initially, cracks were found
in the skin only, starting from a fastener close
to the forward outboard corner of access
panel 575FB/675FB. Subsequently, cases
were reported of cracks being found in the
skin support strap and the stiffener.
This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could affect the structural integrity
of the aeroplane.
To address this unsafe condition, EASA
issued AD 2006–0282 [https://
ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2006-0282] [which
corresponds with FAA AD 2008–06–18,
Amendment 39–15430 (73 FR 14670, March
19, 2008)] to require repetitive inspections of
the wing lower skin panel and associated
internal support structure aft of the rear spar
and inboard of rib 9.
Since that [EASA] AD was issued, the
results of a fleet survey and updated Fatigue
and Damage Tolerance analysis, which were
performed in order to substantiate the second
A300 and A300–600 Extended Service Goal
(ESG2) exercise, revealed that the inspection
threshold and interval had to be reduced to
allow timely detection of cracks and the
accomplishment of an applicable corrective
action.
Prompted by these findings, Airbus issued
Revision 05 of Airbus Service Bulletin (SB)
A300–57–0177 and Revision 07 of Airbus SB
A300–57–6029.
For the reasons described above, this
[EASA] AD retains the requirements of EASA
AD 2006–0282, which is superseded, but
requires the accomplishment of those actions
within reduced thresholds and intervals.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-06180002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comment
received on the NPRM (79 FR 52263,
September 3, 2014) and the FAA’s
response to each comment.
Request To Revise Method Used To
Determine Compliance Times
United Parcel Service (UPS) requested
that the proposed compliance times be
revised to be less complex. UPS stated
that the proposed compliance times
contain a method known as ‘‘Average
Flight Time’’ (AFT) which results in a
variable flight hour limit and adds an
unnecessary complexity to the threshold
table and subsequent inspection actions.
UPS added that use of the AFT method,
along with a lack of standard procedures
for implementing the AFT method
would create uncertainty for operators
E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34247-34249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14415]
[[Page 34247]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-2119; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-005-AD;
Amendment 39-18179; AD 2015-05-51]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Agusta Model A109A and A109A II helicopters, which was sent previously
to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD
requires replacing a certain part-numbered blade with an approved part-
numbered blade. This AD is prompted by an error in the Illustrated
Parts Catalog (IPC) that incorrectly allows installation of a certain
part-numbered blade on the affected helicopters. These actions are
intended to prevent blade failure and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 1, 2015 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD
2015-05-51, issued on March 3, 2015, which contained the requirements
of this AD.
We must receive comments on this AD by August 17, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office
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 (EASA) AD, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in this AD, contact
AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100, 21015
Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-
664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at https://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bulletins. You may review the referenced service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222 5110; email Martin.R.Crane@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
On March 3, 2015, we issued Emergency AD 2015-05-51 to correct an
unsafe condition for Agusta Model A109A helicopters, serial numbers
7154 through 7255, and for all Model A109A II helicopters. Emergency AD
2015-05-51 requires replacing blade part number (P/N) 109-0103-01-7
with blade P/N 109-0103-01-9 or 109-0103-01-115. The emergency AD was
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these
helicopters. This action was prompted by an error in the IPC that
allows installing blade P/N 109-0103-01-7 on certain serial-numbered
Model A109A helicopters and on Model A109A II helicopters.
Emergency AD 2015-05-51 was prompted by Emergency AD No. 2015-0025-
E, dated February 18, 2015, issued by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe
condition for certain serial-numbered Agusta Model A109A and all Model
A109A II helicopters. EASA advises of the installation of blade P/N
109-0103-01-7 on Model A109A II helicopters. In a subsequent
investigation, it was determined that blade P/N 109-0103-01-7 is only
eligible for installation on Model A109A helicopters up to serial
number (S/N) 7153. EASA states that for Model A109A and A109A II
helicopters, the current IPC incorrectly allows installing blade P/N
109-0103-01-7 on all helicopters. The EASA AD requires identifying each
blade P/N 109-0103-01-7 and replacing it with P/N 109-0103-01-9 or P/N
109-0103-01-115. The EASA AD also prohibits installing blade P/N 109-
0103-01-7 on Model A109A helicopters from S/N 7154 through 7255
inclusive and on all Model A109A II helicopters.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
Italy and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with Italy, EASA, its technical representative,
has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the EASA EAD. We
are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by
EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist
or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.
Related Service Information
AgustaWestland Alert Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-142, dated February
17, 2015, specifies determining whether the affected part-numbered
blade is installed and, if installed, replacing it with blade P/N 109-
0103-01-9 or P/N 109-0103-01-115. Also, the service information states
that AgustaWestland has updated the A109A/AII IPC to give the correct
information about the applicable configuration.
[[Page 34248]]
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before further flight, replacing blade P/N 109-
0103-01-7 with blade P/N 109-0103-01-9 or 109-0103-01-115.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 34 helicopters of U.S.
Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per hour. We
estimate 1 work hour to replace a blade and $143,000 for required
parts, for a total cost of $143,085 per blade.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we found and
continue to find that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving
notice and comment prior to the adoption of this rule because the
previously described unsafe condition can adversely affect the
controllability of the helicopter and the required action must be
accomplished before further flight.
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and contrary to
the public interest and that good cause existed for making the AD
effective immediately by Emergency AD 2015-05-51, issued on March 3,
2015, to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters.
These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby published in the
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all
persons.
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.
We are 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
We 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, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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):
2015-05-51 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-18179; Docket No. FAA-2015-
2119; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-005-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model A109A helicopters, serial numbers (S/N)
7154 through 7255, and all Model A109A II helicopters, with a main
rotor blade (blade) part number (P/N) 109-0103-01-7 installed,
certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as the installation of a
blade that does not meet type design. This condition could result in
blade failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective July 1, 2015 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by EAD 2015-
05-51, issued on March 3, 2015, which contained the requirements of
this AD.
(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
Before further flight, replace each blade with blade P/N 109-
0103-01-9 or 109-0103-01-115.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Martin Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort
Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222 5110; email
Martin.R.Crane@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest 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
(1) AgustaWestland Alert Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-142, dated
February 17, 2015, which is not incorporated by reference, contains
additional information about the subject of this AD. For a copy of
the service information referenced in this AD, contact:
AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100,
21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D'Angelo; telephone
39-0331-664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at https://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bulletins. You may review the
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2015-0025-E, dated February
18, 2015. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2015-2119.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6210 Main Rotor
Blades.
[[Page 34249]]
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 2, 2015.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14415 Filed 6-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P