Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters, 10565-10567 [2018-04861]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 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. 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): ■ 2018–05–10 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39– 19219; Docket No. FAA–2018–0181; Product Identifier 2017–SW–085–AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters with a seat belt comfort clip installed. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip interfering with the seat belt inertia reel, which could prevent the seatbelt from locking and result in injury to the occupant during an emergency landing. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective March 27, 2018. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES (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 (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service: (i) Remove from service each seat belt comfort clip. (ii) Inspect each shoulder harness seat belt for a rip and abrasion. If there is a rip or any abrasion, before further flight, replace the shoulder harness seat belt. (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip on any helicopter. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Mar 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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; email 9ASW-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. (g) Additional Information (1) Finmeccanica Bollettino Tecnico No. 412–145, dated March 8, 2016, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G. Agusta 520, 21017 C. Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39–0331–711756; fax +39–0331–229046; or at https:// www.leonardocompany.com/-/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. 2016–0054, dated March 14, 2016. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA–2018– 0181. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500 Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 2, 2018. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2018–04872 Filed 3–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2017–1010; Product Identifier 2016–SW–089–AD; Amendment 39–19191; AD 2018–03–18] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 10565 We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AW189 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting and altering the emergency flotation system (EFS). This AD is prompted by a report of punctured EFS kits. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these helicopters. DATES: This AD is effective April 16, 2018. ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39– 0331–711756; fax +39–0331–229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/-/ 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– 1010; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800–647– 5527) 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: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222– 5110; email martin.r.crane@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discussion On November 2, 2017, at 82 FR 50849, 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 Model AW189 helicopters with certain part-numbered and serialnumbered EFS float assemblies installed. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting each float bag for punctures, replacing the pressure relief/ topping (PRT) valve O-ring part number E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM 12MRR1 10566 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations (P/N) P–G10025 with a PRT valve gasket P/N 316683A, and replacing the inflate/ deflate protection P/N 304694A with inflate/deflate protection P/N 304694B. The NPRM also proposed to require repairing the float bag if there are any cuts, tears, punctures, or abrasion on a float bag. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a punctured EFS float bag, which could result in loss of buoyancy of an EFS float bag while being used in an emergency water ditching and subsequent injury to helicopter occupants. The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016–0263–E, dated December 22, 2016 (AD 2016–0263–E), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters (previously Agusta) Model AW189 helicopters. EASA advises that during the first scheduled maintenance of an EFS kit, float bags were found punctured due to protruding parts of the pressure relief/ topping valves that were not adequately protected. EASA further states that this condition could result in a partial loss of buoyancy of the EFS float bags, possibly resulting in injury to the helicopter’s occupants in a ditching event. To prevent this unsafe condition, EASA AD 2016–0263–E requires a onetime inspection of the EFS, repair of any discrepancies found, replacing the pressure relief/topping valve O-ring with a gasket, and replacing the inflate/ deflate protection with a new design inflate/deflate protection. The FAA is in the process of updating Agusta’s name change to Leonardo Helicopters on its type certificate. Because this name change is not yet effective, this AD specifies Agusta. Comments We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES 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 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Mar 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD The EASA AD requires compliance within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 10 days for helicopters flying overwater above sea state 4 or within 120 hours or 60 days for helicopters operating overwater up to sea state 4. This AD requires compliance within 120 hours TIS regardless of sea state conditions. Related Service Information We reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 189–135, dated December 20, 2016 (BT 189–135), and Aero Sekur Service Bulletin No. SB– 189–25–003, dated November 30, 2016 (SB–189–25–003), which is attached to BT 189–135 as Annex A. BT 189–135 specifies following the procedures in SB–189–25–003 to inspect and modify certain EFS kits installed on Model AW189 helicopters. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD affects two helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators will incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Inspecting each float bag, replacing the PRT valve gasket, and replacing the inflate/deflate protection require about 40 work-hours, and required parts cost about $500, for a cost per helicopter of $3,900 and a cost of $7,800 for the U.S. fleet. If required, repairing a float bag will require about 2 work-hours, and required parts cost about $90, for a cost per float bag of $260. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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): ■ 2018–03–18 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39– 19191; Docket No. FAA–2017–1010; Product Identifier 2016–SW–089–AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category, with an emergency float system (EFS) float assembly part number (P/N) 8G9560V00131, serial number (S/N) 066 or lower; P/N 8G9560V00231, S/N 068 or lower; P/N 8G9560V00331, S/N 068 or lower; or P/ N 8G9560V00431, S/N 067 or lower, installed. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a punctured EFS float bag. This condition could result in loss of buoyancy of an EFS E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM 12MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2018 / Rules and Regulations float bag being used in an emergency water ditching and subsequent injury to helicopter occupants. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective April 16, 2018. (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 (1) Within 120 hours time-in-service: (i) Unfold and inspect each float bag assembly for any cuts, tears, punctures, or abrasion. If there is a cut, tear, puncture, or any abrasion, before further flight, repair the float bag assembly. (ii) Replace each O-ring P/N S–B10104 with a pressure relief/topping (PRT) valve gasket P/N 316683A. (iii) Install each PRT valve P/N P–G10025 and apply a torque of 4.5 to 5.5 Nm (39.8 to 48.6 inch-pounds). (iv) Replace each inflate/deflate protection P/N 304694A with a PRT valve protection P/ N 304694B. (v) Install a piece of tape approximately 220 millimeters long over each PRT valve protection P/N 304694B. (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an EFS float assembly P/N 8G9560V00131, S/N 066 or lower; P/N 8G9560V00231, S/N 068 or lower; P/N 8G9560V00331, S/N 068 or lower; or P/N 8G9560V00431, S/N 067 or lower on any helicopter unless you have complied with the actions in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9ASW-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. (g) Additional Information (1) Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 189–135, dated December 20, 2016, and Aero Sekur Service Bulletin No. SB–189–25–003, dated November 30, 2016, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39–0331–711756; fax +39–0331–229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/-/ bulletins. You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:01 Mar 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 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. 2016–0263–E, dated December 22, 2016. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA–2017–1010. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212 Emergency Flotation Section. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 2, 2018. Scott A. Horn, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2018–04861 Filed 3–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 91 [Docket No.: FAA–2013–0485; Amdt. No. 91–345B] RIN 2120–AJ94 Revisions to Operational Requirements for the Use of Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) and to Pilot Compartment View Requirements for Vision Systems; Correcting Amendment Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; correction; correcting amendment. AGENCY: The FAA is correcting a final rule published on December 13, 2016. In that rule, the FAA amended its regulations to allow operators to use an enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) in lieu of natural vision to continue descending from 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation (TDZE) to the runway and to land on certain straightin instrument approach procedures (IAPs) under instrument flight rules (IFR). As part of the final rule, the FAA inadvertently removed some regulatory text. This document corrects that error. Additionally, this document corrects the same error in an amendatory instruction of the EFVS final rule to ensure the correction to the regulation is retained when the regulation is subsequently amended on March 13, 2018. DATES: The correcting amendment (amendatory instruction 2) is effective March 12, 2018. The correction to the final rule published at 81 FR 90126 (December 13, 2016), and delayed at 82 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 10567 FR 9677 (February 8, 2017) is effective March 13, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry King, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267–8790; email Terry.King@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On December 13, 2016, the FAA published a final rule entitled, ‘‘Revisions to Operational Requirements for the Use of Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) and to Pilot Compartment View Requirements for Vision Systems.’’ 1 Prior to that final rule, the operating rules for EFVS operations to 100 feet above the TDZE were contained in § 91.175(l) and (m). In the EFVS final rule, which became effective, in part, on March 13, 2017, the FAA created new 14 CFR 91.176 to contain the operating rules for EFVS operations to touchdown and rollout and for EFVS operations to 100 feet above the TDZE. As explained in the preamble to the final rule, the FAA provided an adequate transition period for operators and pilots conducting EFVS operations to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation.2 During this transition period, which concludes on March 13, 2018, a pilot may comply with either § 91.175(l) and (m) or § 91.176(b). Beginning on March 13, 2018, persons conducting EFVS operations to 100 feet above the TDZE must comply with § 91.176(b). Section 91.175(e)(1) included a crossreference to § 91.175(l) prior to the final rule. To accommodate the transition period, the FAA made a conforming amendment to § 91.175(e)(1), effective March 13, 2017, by adding a crossreference to § 91.176. Additionally, to conform with the conclusion of the transition period, the FAA included instructions to amend § 91.175(e)(1), effective March 13, 2018, by removing the cross-reference to § 91.175(l). Prior to the EFVS final rule, § 91.175(e)(1) allowed a pilot operating an aircraft, except a military aircraft of the United States, to immediately execute an appropriate missed approach procedure whenever operating under § 91.175(c) or (l) and the requirements of that paragraph are not met at either of the following times: (i) When the 1 81 FR 90126; corrected at 82 FR 2193, January 9, 2017; delayed at 82 FR 9677, February 8, 2017; corrected at 83 FR 1186, January 10, 2018; corrected at 83 FR 4420, January 31, 2018. 2 81 FR at 90154. E:\FR\FM\12MRR1.SGM 12MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10565-10567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04861]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1010; Product Identifier 2016-SW-089-AD; Amendment 
39-19191; AD 2018-03-18]
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. (Agusta) Model AW189 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting 
and altering the emergency flotation system (EFS). This AD is prompted 
by a report of punctured EFS kits. The actions of this AD are intended 
to prevent an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

DATES: This AD is effective April 16, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of 
Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) 
Italy; telephone +39-0331-711756; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/-/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-
1010; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the economic 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) 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: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On November 2, 2017, at 82 FR 50849, 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 Model AW189 
helicopters with certain part-numbered and serial-numbered EFS float 
assemblies installed. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting each 
float bag for punctures, replacing the pressure relief/topping (PRT) 
valve O-ring part number

[[Page 10566]]

(P/N) P-G10025 with a PRT valve gasket P/N 316683A, and replacing the 
inflate/deflate protection P/N 304694A with inflate/deflate protection 
P/N 304694B. The NPRM also proposed to require repairing the float bag 
if there are any cuts, tears, punctures, or abrasion on a float bag. 
The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a punctured EFS 
float bag, which could result in loss of buoyancy of an EFS float bag 
while being used in an emergency water ditching and subsequent injury 
to helicopter occupants.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016-0263-E, dated December 22, 
2016 (AD 2016-0263-E), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition 
for Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters (previously Agusta) Model AW189 
helicopters. EASA advises that during the first scheduled maintenance 
of an EFS kit, float bags were found punctured due to protruding parts 
of the pressure relief/topping valves that were not adequately 
protected. EASA further states that this condition could result in a 
partial loss of buoyancy of the EFS float bags, possibly resulting in 
injury to the helicopter's occupants in a ditching event. To prevent 
this unsafe condition, EASA AD 2016-0263-E requires a one-time 
inspection of the EFS, repair of any discrepancies found, replacing the 
pressure relief/topping valve O-ring with a gasket, and replacing the 
inflate/deflate protection with a new design inflate/deflate 
protection.
    The FAA is in the process of updating Agusta's name change to 
Leonardo Helicopters on its type certificate. Because this name change 
is not yet effective, this AD specifies Agusta.

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

    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 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD requires compliance within 15 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) or 10 days for helicopters flying overwater above sea state 4 or 
within 120 hours or 60 days for helicopters operating overwater up to 
sea state 4. This AD requires compliance within 120 hours TIS 
regardless of sea state conditions.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 189-135, 
dated December 20, 2016 (BT 189-135), and Aero Sekur Service Bulletin 
No. SB-189-25-003, dated November 30, 2016 (SB-189-25-003), which is 
attached to BT 189-135 as Annex A. BT 189-135 specifies following the 
procedures in SB-189-25-003 to inspect and modify certain EFS kits 
installed on Model AW189 helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects two helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators will incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. 
Inspecting each float bag, replacing the PRT valve gasket, and 
replacing the inflate/deflate protection require about 40 work-hours, 
and required parts cost about $500, for a cost per helicopter of $3,900 
and a cost of $7,800 for the U.S. fleet. If required, repairing a float 
bag will require about 2 work-hours, and required parts cost about $90, 
for a cost per float bag of $260.

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):

2018-03-18 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-19191; Docket No. FAA-2017-
1010; Product Identifier 2016-SW-089-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AW189 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with an emergency float 
system (EFS) float assembly part number (P/N) 8G9560V00131, serial 
number (S/N) 066 or lower; P/N 8G9560V00231, S/N 068 or lower; P/N 
8G9560V00331, S/N 068 or lower; or P/N 8G9560V00431, S/N 067 or 
lower, installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a punctured EFS float 
bag. This condition could result in loss of buoyancy of an EFS

[[Page 10567]]

float bag being used in an emergency water ditching and subsequent 
injury to helicopter occupants.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 16, 2018.

(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

    (1) Within 120 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Unfold and inspect each float bag assembly for any cuts, 
tears, punctures, or abrasion. If there is a cut, tear, puncture, or 
any abrasion, before further flight, repair the float bag assembly.
    (ii) Replace each O-ring P/N S-B10104 with a pressure relief/
topping (PRT) valve gasket P/N 316683A.
    (iii) Install each PRT valve P/N P-G10025 and apply a torque of 
4.5 to 5.5 Nm (39.8 to 48.6 inch-pounds).
    (iv) Replace each inflate/deflate protection P/N 304694A with a 
PRT valve protection P/N 304694B.
    (v) Install a piece of tape approximately 220 millimeters long 
over each PRT valve protection P/N 304694B.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an EFS 
float assembly P/N 8G9560V00131, S/N 066 or lower; P/N 8G9560V00231, 
S/N 068 or lower; P/N 8G9560V00331, S/N 068 or lower; or P/N 
8G9560V00431, S/N 067 or lower on any helicopter unless you have 
complied with the actions in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Martin R. Crane, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft 
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (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) Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 189-135, dated 
December 20, 2016, and Aero Sekur Service Bulletin No. SB-189-25-
003, dated November 30, 2016, which are not incorporated by 
reference, contain additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Leonardo 
S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness, Viale 
G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39-
0331-711756; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/-/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.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2016-0263-E, dated December 22, 2016. 
You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2017-1010.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3212 Emergency 
Flotation Section.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 2, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04861 Filed 3-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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