Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters, 35647-35649 [2017-16144]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 146 / Tuesday, August 1, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
AOT A57W009–16, Rev 01, including
Appendices 1 and 2, dated July 13, 2016.
(i) Corrective Action
If any crack is found during the inspection
required by paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD:
Before further flight, do the applicable
corrective actions in accordance with the
procedures in Airbus AOT A57W009–16, Rev
01, including Appendices 1 and 2, dated July
13, 2016. Where AOT A57W009–16, Rev 01,
including Appendices 1 and 2, dated July 13,
2016, specifies to contact Airbus for
appropriate action, accomplish the corrective
actions in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD.
(j) Optional Service Information for
Accomplishing Required Actions
Accomplishment of the actions required by
paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD, in
accordance with, and at the compliance
times specified in, the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300–
57–6120, dated April 28, 2017, is acceptable
for compliance with the requirements of
those paragraphs.
(k) Reporting Requirement
Submit a report of all findings (both
positive and negative) from the inspection
required by paragraph (g) of this AD to
Airbus Customer Services through
TechRequest on Airbus World (https://
w3.airbus.com/) by selecting Engineering
Domain and ATA 57–10; or submit the
results to Airbus in accordance with the
procedures in Airbus Service Bulletin A300–
57–6120, dated April 28, 2017.
(1) For airplanes on which the inspection
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD is
accomplished on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days
after performing the inspection.
(2) For airplanes on which the inspection
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD is
accomplished before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after
the effective date of this AD.
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(l) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the
action required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
if that action was done before the effective
date of this AD using Airbus AOT A57W009–
16, Rev 00, including Appendices 1 and 2,
dated February 25, 2016, provided the
inspection required by paragraph (h) of this
AD is accomplished.
(m) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, International
Branch, ANM–116, 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 International Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in
paragraph (n)(2) of this AD. Information may
be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOCREQUESTS@faa.gov.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:30 Jul 31, 2017
Jkt 241001
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain corrective
actions from a manufacturer, the action must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM–
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or
the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA); or Airbus’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Reporting Requirements: A federal
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to, nor
shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of
information subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that
collection of information displays a current
valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information
collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for
this collection of information is estimated to
be approximately 5 minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and reviewing the collection of
information. All responses to this collection
of information are mandatory. Comments
concerning the accuracy of this burden and
suggestions for reducing the burden should
be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer,
AES–200.
(n) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD
2016–0179, dated September 12, 2016, for
related information. This MCAI may be
found in the AD docket on the Internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2016–9055.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356;
telephone 425–227–2125; fax 425–227–1149.
(o) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission
A57W009–16, Rev 01, including Appendices
1 and 2, dated July 13, 2016.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–57–6120,
dated April 28, 2017.
(3) 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.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
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35647
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
202–741–6030, or go to: https://www.archives.
gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 19,
2017.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–15808 Filed 7–31–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0142; Product
Identifier 2016–SW–013–AD; Amendment
39–18979; AD 2017–16–02]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta
S.p.A. Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta
S.p.A. Model A109S helicopters. This
AD requires adding limitations to the
rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This AD
was prompted by a report of a cabin
liner detaching from the helicopter and
hitting the main rotor (M/R) blades
during flight. The actions of this AD are
intended to prevent an unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 5,
2017.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this final rule, 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, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX
76177.
SUMMARY:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–
0142; 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
E:\FR\FM\01AUR1.SGM
01AUR1
35648
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 146 / Tuesday, August 1, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
contains this AD, the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations
Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations Office, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt
Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email
matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Discussion
On April 10, 2017, at 82 FR 17156, the
Federal Register published our notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which
proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
adding an AD that would apply to
Agusta S.p.A. Model A109S helicopters.
The NPRM proposed to require, within
15 hours time-in-service, revising the
Limitations section of the RFM by
inserting a copy of this AD or by making
pen-and-ink changes to add several
limitations: Prohibiting flight with a
passenger cabin sliding door opened or
removed for helicopters with Internal
Arrangement part number (P/N) 109–
0814–21–101 installed; prohibiting
flight with a passenger cabin sliding
door open unless modification P/N 109–
0814–35 is installed; prohibiting flight
with a passenger cabin sliding door
open unless the doors are locked;
establishing a maximum VNE with a
passenger cabin sliding door opened or
removed; establishing a maximum
airspeed for opening or closing a
passenger cabin sliding door during
flight; and prohibiting instrument flight
rule operation with any door opened or
removed.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No.
2015–0227, dated November 19, 2015,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, to correct an unsafe
condition for the AgustaWestland S.p.A.
Model A109S helicopters. EASA advises
of a report that the right-hand lower
cabin liner of Internal Arrangement P/N
109–0814–21–101 detached and hit
three M/R blades during a landing with
the right-hand door removed. EASA
states that this condition, if not
corrected, could lead to further
occurrences of in-flight lower cabin
liner detachment, possibly resulting in
damage to or loss of control of the
helicopter. Therefore, the EASA AD
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:30 Jul 31, 2017
Jkt 241001
requires revising the RFM to provide
limitations on flights with a passenger
cabin sliding door opened or removed.
EASA considers its AD an interim
action and states further AD action may
follow.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD, but
we did not receive any comments on the
NPRM.
FAA’s Determination
This helicopter has been approved by
the aviation authority of Italy and is
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 AD. 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
the same type design and that air safety
and the public interest require adopting
the AD requirements as proposed.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim
action. The design approval holder is
currently developing a modification that
will address the unsafe condition
identified in this AD. Once this
modification is developed, approved,
and available, we might consider
additional rulemaking.
Related Service Information
We reviewed AgustaWestland A109S
RFM, Document No. 109G0040A013,
Issue 2, Revision 3, dated April 23,
2015, which adds several limitations
regarding flight with a passenger cabin
sliding door opened or removed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 19
helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate
that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.
At an average labor rate of $85 per workhour, revising the RFM takes about 0.5
work-hour, for an estimated cost of $43
per helicopter, or $817 for the U.S. fleet.
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,
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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) 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
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):
■
2017–16–02 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39–
18979; Docket No. FAA–2017–0142;
Product Identifier 2016–SW–013–AD.
E:\FR\FM\01AUR1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 146 / Tuesday, August 1, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
35649
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model A109S
helicopters, certificated in any category.
(c) Effective Date
(e) Required Actions
This AD becomes effective September 5,
2017.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
detachment of an internal arrangement lower
cabin liner. This condition could result in
damage to a main rotor blade and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
(d) Compliance
Within 15 hours time-in-service, revise
Section 1 Limitations of the AgustaWestland
Model A109S Rotorcraft Flight Manual
(RFM) by inserting a copy of this AD into the
RFM or by making pen-and-ink changes to
add the information in Figure 1 to paragraph
(e) of this AD.
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.
FIGURE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (e)
Flight with either one or both passenger cabin sliding doors opened or removed is prohibited if Internal Arrangement P/N 109–0814–21–101 is
installed.
Flight with either one or both passenger cabin sliding doors opened is prohibited if passenger door modification P/N 109–0814–35 is not installed.
Flight with one or both passenger cabin sliding doors opened is allowed only with the doors locked.
VNE with any passenger cabin sliding door opened or removed: 75 KIAS.
Maximum airspeed for passenger cabin sliding doors opening or closing: 50 KIAS.
IFR operation is prohibited with any door opened or removed.
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
Incorporating the changes contained in
AgustaWestland A109S RFM, Document No.
109G0040A013, Issue 2, Revision 3, dated
April 23, 2015, into Section 1 of the RFM
before the effective date of this AD is
considered acceptable for compliance with
this AD.
(g) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
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(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Section, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this
AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller,
Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety
Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5110;
email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@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.
(i) Additional Information
(1) AgustaWestland A109S RFM Document
No. 109G0040A013, Issue 2, Revision 3,
dated April 23, 2015, which is not
incorporated by reference, contains
additional information about the subject of
this AD. 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 a copy of the
service information at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–321, Fort Worth,
TX 76177.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:30 Jul 31, 2017
Jkt 241001
No. 2015–0227, dated November 19, 2015.
You may view the EASA AD on the Internet
at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA–2017–0142.
(j) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 25,
2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–16144 Filed 7–31–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0210; Airspace
Docket No. 17–AGL–10]
Amendment of Class D and E
Airspace; Kenosha, WI
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This action modifies Class D
airspace, Class E airspace designated as
a surface area, and Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above
the surface, and removes Class E
airspace designated as an extension of
Class D airspace at Kenosha Regional
Airport, Kenosha, WI. This action is
required due to the decommissioning of
the Kenosha VHF omnidirectional range
(VOR), which provided navigation
guidance for portions of the affected
routes. This action enhances the safety
and management of instrument flight
rules (IFR) operations at the airport.
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Also, the airport name and geographic
coordinates are adjusted in the Class E
airspace extending upward from 700
feet above the surface.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, October 12,
2017. The Director of the Federal
Register approves this incorporation by
reference action under Title 1, Code of
Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to
the annual revision of FAA Order
7400.11 and publication of conforming
amendments.
ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11A,
Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, and subsequent amendments can
be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/
air_traffic/publications/. For further
information, you can contact the
Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267–8783. The Order is
also available for inspection at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of FAA
Order 7400.11A at NARA, call (202)
741–6030, or go to https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal-regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, is
published yearly and effective on
September 15.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation
Administration, Operations Support
Group, Central Service Center, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222–5711.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA’s authority to issue rules
regarding aviation safety is found in
E:\FR\FM\01AUR1.SGM
01AUR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 146 (Tuesday, August 1, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35647-35649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16144]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0142; Product Identifier 2016-SW-013-AD; Amendment
39-18979; AD 2017-16-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta
S.p.A. Model A109S helicopters. This AD requires adding limitations to
the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This AD was prompted by a report of
a cabin liner detaching from the helicopter and hitting the main rotor
(M/R) blades during flight. The actions of this AD are intended to
prevent an unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 5, 2017.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort
Worth, TX 76177.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0142; 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
[[Page 35648]]
contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527)
is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On April 10, 2017, at 82 FR 17156, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Agusta S.p.A. Model
A109S helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require, within 15 hours time-
in-service, revising the Limitations section of the RFM by inserting a
copy of this AD or by making pen-and-ink changes to add several
limitations: Prohibiting flight with a passenger cabin sliding door
opened or removed for helicopters with Internal Arrangement part number
(P/N) 109-0814-21-101 installed; prohibiting flight with a passenger
cabin sliding door open unless modification P/N 109-0814-35 is
installed; prohibiting flight with a passenger cabin sliding door open
unless the doors are locked; establishing a maximum VNE with
a passenger cabin sliding door opened or removed; establishing a
maximum airspeed for opening or closing a passenger cabin sliding door
during flight; and prohibiting instrument flight rule operation with
any door opened or removed.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2015-0227, dated November 19, 2015,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for the
AgustaWestland S.p.A. Model A109S helicopters. EASA advises of a report
that the right-hand lower cabin liner of Internal Arrangement P/N 109-
0814-21-101 detached and hit three M/R blades during a landing with the
right-hand door removed. EASA states that this condition, if not
corrected, could lead to further occurrences of in-flight lower cabin
liner detachment, possibly resulting in damage to or loss of control of
the helicopter. Therefore, the EASA AD requires revising the RFM to
provide limitations on flights with a passenger cabin sliding door
opened or removed. EASA considers its AD an interim action and states
further AD action may follow.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.
FAA's Determination
This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of
Italy and is 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 AD. 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 the same type design and that air
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as
proposed.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval
holder is currently developing a modification that will address the
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional
rulemaking.
Related Service Information
We reviewed AgustaWestland A109S RFM, Document No. 109G0040A013,
Issue 2, Revision 3, dated April 23, 2015, which adds several
limitations regarding flight with a passenger cabin sliding door opened
or removed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 19 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour,
revising the RFM takes about 0.5 work-hour, for an estimated cost of
$43 per helicopter, or $817 for the U.S. fleet.
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 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) 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):
2017-16-02 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-18979; Docket No. FAA-2017-
0142; Product Identifier 2016-SW-013-AD.
[[Page 35649]]
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model A109S helicopters, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as detachment of an
internal arrangement lower cabin liner. This condition could result
in damage to a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of
the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective September 5, 2017.
(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
Within 15 hours time-in-service, revise Section 1 Limitations of
the AgustaWestland Model A109S Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by
inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM or by making pen-and-ink
changes to add the information in Figure 1 to paragraph (e) of this
AD.
Figure 1 to Paragraph (e)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flight with either one or both passenger cabin sliding doors opened or
removed is prohibited if Internal Arrangement P/N 109-0814-21-101 is
installed.
Flight with either one or both passenger cabin sliding doors opened is
prohibited if passenger door modification P/N 109-0814-35 is not
installed.
Flight with one or both passenger cabin sliding doors opened is allowed
only with the doors locked.
VNE with any passenger cabin sliding door opened or removed: 75 KIAS.
Maximum airspeed for passenger cabin sliding doors opening or closing:
50 KIAS.
IFR operation is prohibited with any door opened or removed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(f) Credit for Previous Actions
Incorporating the changes contained in AgustaWestland A109S RFM,
Document No. 109G0040A013, Issue 2, Revision 3, dated April 23,
2015, into Section 1 of the RFM before the effective date of this AD
is considered acceptable for compliance with this AD.
(g) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, FAA, may approve
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior
Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@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.
(i) Additional Information
(1) AgustaWestland A109S RFM Document No. 109G0040A013, Issue 2,
Revision 3, dated April 23, 2015, which is not incorporated by
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this
AD. 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 a copy of
the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX
76177.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0227, dated November 19, 2015. You
may view the EASA AD on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2017-0142.
(j) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500, Cabin
Equipment/Furnishings.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 25, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-16144 Filed 7-31-17; 8:45 am]
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