Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. Helicopters, 23827-23829 [2018-10918]
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23827
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 100
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 66
[Doc. No. AMS–TM–17–0050]
National Bioengineered Food
Disclosure Standard
AGENCY:
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
Proposed rule; notice of
availability of informational webinar.
ACTION:
The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) is announcing the
availability of an informational webinar
regarding the proposed National
Bioengineered Food Disclosure
Standard (NBFDS or standard). The
proposed standard would require food
manufacturers and other entities that
label foods for retail sale to disclose
information about bioengineered food
and bioengineered food ingredients. The
pre-recorded webinar will provide an
overview of the background, provisions,
and potential impacts of the proposed
standard. Establishment and
implementation of the new standard is
required by recent amendment to the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.
DATES: The webinar will be made
available on the AMS website at https://
www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations
beginning June 1, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Email: befooddisclosure@ams.usda.gov;
telephone: (202) 690–1300; or Fax: (202)
690–0338. Comments on the proposed
rule sent to this email address will not
be considered. Comments must be
submitted through regulations.gov; by
mail to the Docket Clerk, 1400
Independence Ave., AS, Room 4543–S,
Washington, DC 20250; or by Fax to
(202) 690–0338.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July
29, 2016, Public Law 114–216 amended
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946
(7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), as amended, and
directed the Secretary of Agriculture to
establish the NBFDS for disclosing any
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:37 May 22, 2018
Jkt 244001
food that is or may be bioengineered.
AMS published a proposed rule
regarding the new standard in the
Federal Register on May 4, 2018 (83 FR
19860). The proposed rule announced
that AMS would be providing a webinar
regarding the proposed NBFDS. The
webinar, which is pre-recorded, will be
made available to interested persons on
the AMS website at https://
www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations
beginning June 1, 2018. The webinar is
intended to supply basic information
about the proposed rule and several
regulatory alternatives on which AMS is
seeking public comment.
The rule seeks comments on the
proposed scope of the standard,
including what foods should bear
disclosures and what entities would be
responsible for making disclosures. The
rule proposes several alternatives for
consideration, including methods of
disclosure, and outlines procedures for
recordkeeping and compliance. The
proposed rule also seeks comments on
the recordkeeping and information
collection burden associated with the
new standard. Comments on the
proposed rule and on the information
collection are being accepted through
July 3, 2018, and should be submitted
as directed in the May 4, 2018, Federal
Register document.
In conjunction with the proposed
rule, AMS published a Regulatory
Impact Analysis, which describes
potential impacts of the rule under
alternative scenarios. Comments on the
regulatory impacts of the proposed
NBFDS are also invited. The full text of
the proposed rule, as well as the
Regulatory Impact Analysis, may be
viewed at www.regulations.gov.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.
Dated: May 18, 2018.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator.
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2017–1081; Product
Identifier 2017–SW–090–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives;
AgustaWestland S.p.A. Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
AgustaWestland S.p.A.
(AgustaWestland) Model AW189
helicopters. This proposed AD would
require replacing the tail plane lower
fitting with an improved tail plane
lower fitting. This proposed AD is
prompted by reports of cracks on the tail
plane fittings of Model AW189
helicopters. The actions of this
proposed AD are intended to correct an
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 23, 2018.
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.
SUMMARY:
Examining the AD Docket
[FR Doc. 2018–11025 Filed 5–22–18; 8:45 am]
PO 00000
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Sfmt 4702
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–
1081; 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 proposed
AD, the European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, the economic
evaluation, any comments received, and
E:\FR\FM\23MYP1.SGM
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23828
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2018 / Proposed Rules
other information. The street address for
Docket Operations (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 proposed 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations & 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:
Comments Invited
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
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 might result
from adopting the proposals in this
document. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking.
Before acting on this proposal, we will
consider all comments we receive on or
before the closing date for comments.
We will consider comments filed after
the comment period has closed if it is
possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. We may change this
proposal in light of the comments we
receive.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016–
0161, dated August 8, 2016, to correct
an unsafe condition for Leonardo
Helicopters (previously Finmeccanica
S.p.A, AgustaWestand) Model AW189
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:37 May 22, 2018
Jkt 244001
helicopters. EASA advises that some
cracks have been reported in-service on
the tail plane fitting of AW189
helicopters following an onset of
abnormal play. According to EASA, this
condition, if not detected and corrected,
could jeopardize structural integrity of
the helicopter. EASA further advises
that Leonardo Helicopters developed a
tail plane lower fitting with an
improved design (part number
8G0000P00511). Accordingly, EASA AD
No. 2016–0161 requires repetitive
inspections of the tail plane lower
fitting assembly until the improved tail
plane lower fitting is installed.
Because the FAA is in the process of
updating AgustaWestland’s name
changes to Finmeccanica S.p.A. and
then to Leonardo Helicopters on its FAA
type certificate, this proposed AD
specifies AgustaWestland as the type
certificate holder.
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 its
AD. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all known relevant
information and determined that an
unsafe condition is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Leonardo Helicopters
Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 189–038,
Revision B, dated October 13, 2016,
which specifies repetitively inspecting
the tail plane assembly for a crack.
We also reviewed BT No. 189–070,
Revision A, dated October 13, 2016,
which provides instructions for
replacing the tail plane lower fitting
with the improved tail plane lower
fitting, retromodification part number
(P/N) 8G0000P00511.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require,
within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS),
replacing the tail plane fitting with tail
plane retromodification kit P/N
8G0000P00511.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires inspecting the
tail plane lower fitting for play within
50 flight hours and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 25 flight hours.
If a crack or other damage exists, the
EASA AD requires the improved tail
plane lower fitting be installed within
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
10 flight hours. If no crack exists, the
EASA AD requires that the improved
tail plane lower fitting be installed
within 200 flight hours or 2 months,
whichever occurs first. This proposed
AD would not require inspections and
would require installing the improved
tail plane lower fitting within 50 hours
TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
would affect 2 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that labor costs average $85
a work-hour. Based on these estimates,
we expect that replacing the tail plane
lower fitting with an improved tail
plane lower fitting would require 64
work-hours and parts would cost
$15,424 for a total cost of $20,864 per
helicopter and $41,728 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
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD
would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This
proposed AD would not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on
the relationship between the national
Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed, I certify
this proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
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
E:\FR\FM\23MYP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2018 / Proposed Rules
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 proposed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
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):
■
AgustaWestland S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA–
2017–1081; Product Identifier 2017–SW–
090–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to AgustaWestland S.p.A.
Model AW189 helicopters, certificated in any
category, with a tail plane lower fitting P/N
8G5350A07051 installed.
(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 (BT) No. 189–038, Revision B, and
BT No. 189–070, Revision A, both dated
October 13, 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. 2016–0161, dated August 8, 2016. You
may view the EASA AD on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 5510, Horizontal Stabilizer Structure.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 15,
2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a
crack on a tail plane fitting, which could
result in failure of the tail plane fitting and
loss of helicopter control.
[FR Doc. 2018–10918 Filed 5–22–18; 8:45 am]
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 23,
2018.
Federal Aviation Administration
(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.
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0947; Product
Identifier 2017–SW–059–AD]
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS
(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: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9-ASWFTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
16:37 May 22, 2018
Jkt 244001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
(e) Required Actions
Within 50 hours time-in-service, install tail
plane retromodification kit part number
8G0000P00511.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Robinson
Helicopter Company Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
Robinson Helicopter Company
(Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II
helicopters. This proposed AD would
require visually checking each tail rotor
blade for a crack. This proposed AD is
prompted by a report of cracking in
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
23829
certain tail rotor blades. The actions of
this proposed AD are intended to
address an unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by July 23, 2018.
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 by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2017–
0947; 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 proposed
AD, the economic evaluation, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations (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 proposed rule, contact Robinson
Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport
Drive, Torrance, CA 90505; telephone
(310) 539–0508; fax (310) 539–5198; or
at https://www.robinsonheli.com/
servelib.htm. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Guo, Aerospace Engineer, Los
Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960
Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (562) 627–5357; email
james.guo@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
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 might result
E:\FR\FM\23MYP1.SGM
23MYP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23827-23829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10918]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-1081; Product Identifier 2017-SW-090-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
AgustaWestland S.p.A. (AgustaWestland) Model AW189 helicopters. This
proposed AD would require replacing the tail plane lower fitting with
an improved tail plane lower fitting. This proposed AD is prompted by
reports of cracks on the tail plane fittings of Model AW189
helicopters. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to correct an
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 23, 2018.
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1081; 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 proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments received, and
[[Page 23828]]
other information. The street address for Docket Operations (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 proposed 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations & Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
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 might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016-0161, dated August 8, 2016,
to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo Helicopters (previously
Finmeccanica S.p.A, AgustaWestand) Model AW189 helicopters. EASA
advises that some cracks have been reported in-service on the tail
plane fitting of AW189 helicopters following an onset of abnormal play.
According to EASA, this condition, if not detected and corrected, could
jeopardize structural integrity of the helicopter. EASA further advises
that Leonardo Helicopters developed a tail plane lower fitting with an
improved design (part number 8G0000P00511). Accordingly, EASA AD No.
2016-0161 requires repetitive inspections of the tail plane lower
fitting assembly until the improved tail plane lower fitting is
installed.
Because the FAA is in the process of updating AgustaWestland's name
changes to Finmeccanica S.p.A. and then to Leonardo Helicopters on its
FAA type certificate, this proposed AD specifies AgustaWestland as the
type certificate holder.
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 its AD. We are
proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information
and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop
on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 189-
038, Revision B, dated October 13, 2016, which specifies repetitively
inspecting the tail plane assembly for a crack.
We also reviewed BT No. 189-070, Revision A, dated October 13,
2016, which provides instructions for replacing the tail plane lower
fitting with the improved tail plane lower fitting, retromodification
part number (P/N) 8G0000P00511.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require, within 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS), replacing the tail plane fitting with tail plane
retromodification kit P/N 8G0000P00511.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires inspecting the tail plane lower fitting for
play within 50 flight hours and thereafter at intervals not to exceed
25 flight hours. If a crack or other damage exists, the EASA AD
requires the improved tail plane lower fitting be installed within 10
flight hours. If no crack exists, the EASA AD requires that the
improved tail plane lower fitting be installed within 200 flight hours
or 2 months, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD would not require
inspections and would require installing the improved tail plane lower
fitting within 50 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2 helicopters of
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on
these estimates, we expect that replacing the tail plane lower fitting
with an improved tail plane lower fitting would require 64 work-hours
and parts would cost $15,424 for a total cost of $20,864 per helicopter
and $41,728 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 products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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
[[Page 23829]]
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 proposed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
AgustaWestland S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA-2017-1081; Product Identifier
2017-SW-090-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to AgustaWestland S.p.A. Model AW189
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail plane lower
fitting P/N 8G5350A07051 installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack on a tail plane
fitting, which could result in failure of the tail plane fitting and
loss of helicopter control.
(c) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 23, 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
Within 50 hours time-in-service, install tail plane
retromodification kit part number 8G0000P00511.
(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:
Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations & 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 (BT) No. 189-038,
Revision B, and BT No. 189-070, Revision A, both dated October 13,
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. 2016-0161, dated August 8, 2016. You may
view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in
the AD Docket.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5510, Horizontal
Stabilizer Structure.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 15, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-10918 Filed 5-22-18; 8:45 am]
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