Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Helicopters, 61525-61527 [2018-26071]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 231 / Friday, November 30, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206–
231–3226.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program
Revision
Within 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, revise the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate Section 5–40–00, Airworthiness
Limitations, Revision 13, dated July 2017, of
the Dassault Falcon 10 Maintenance Manual
(‘‘Section 5–40–00’’). The initial compliance
time for accomplishing the actions is at the
applicable time specified in Section 5–40–00;
or within 90 days after the effective date of
this AD; whichever occurs later.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After the maintenance or inspection
program has been revised as required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be
used unless the actions or intervals are
approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of
this AD.
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(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, International
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR
39.19, send your request to your principal
inspector or local Flight Standards District
Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the International Section, send it
to the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may
be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOCREQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the local flight
standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(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 Section,
Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or
Dassault Aviation’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2018–0078, dated
April 9, 2018, 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–
2018–0642.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards
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(k) 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) Section 5–40–00, Airworthiness
Limitations, Revision 13, dated July 2017, of
the Dassault Falcon 10 Maintenance Manual.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet
Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box
2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606;
telephone 201–440–6700; internet https://
www.dassaultfalcon.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
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/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on
November 8, 2018.
Chris Spangenberg,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–25658 Filed 11–29–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2017–1081; Product
Identifier 2017–SW–090–AD; Amendment
39–19510; AD 2018–24–06]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo
S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously
Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A. and
AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model
AW189 helicopters. This AD requires
replacing the tail plane lower fitting
with an improved tail plane lower
fitting. This AD was prompted by
reports of cracks on the tail plane
SUMMARY:
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61525
fittings of Model AW189 helicopters.
The actions of this AD are intended to
correct an unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 4,
2019.
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–
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 AD, the
European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, any incorporated-byreference service information, 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:
Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone 817–222–5110; email
kristin.bradley@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On May 23, 2018, at 83 FR 23827, 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
AgustaWestland S.p.A. (now Leonardo)
Model AW189 helicopters with a tail
plane lower fitting part number (P/N)
8G5350A07051 installed. The NPRM
proposed to require replacing the tail
plane lower fitting with an improved
tail plane lower fitting. The proposed
requirements were intended to prevent
a crack on a tail plane fitting, which
could result in failure of the tail plane
fitting and loss of helicopter control.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 231 / Friday, November 30, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
The NPRM was prompted by AD No.
2016–0161, dated August 8, 2016 (EASA
AD 2016–0161), issued by EASA, which
is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union, to correct
an unsafe condition for Leonardo Model
AW189 helicopters. EASA advises that
some cracks have been reported inservice 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 developed a tail
plane lower fitting with an improved
design (P/N 8G0000P00511).
Accordingly, EASA AD 2016–0161
requires repetitive inspections of the tail
plane lower fitting assembly until the
improved tail plane lower fitting is
installed.
When the NPRM was issued, the FAA
was in the process of updating
AgustaWestland’s name changes to
Finmeccanica S.p.A. and then to
Leonardo Helicopters on its FAA type
certificate; therefore the NPRM specified
AgustaWestland as the type certificate
holder. Because this name change is
now effective, this AD applies to
Leonardo helicopters.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD, but
we received no comments on the NPRM.
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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 Italy and determined the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to
exist or develop on other helicopters of
these same type designs and that air
safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as
proposed except for the name change
from AgustaWestland to Leonardo. We
have also updated the estimated costs to
reflect that this AD affects 4 helicopters
of U.S. Registry rather than 2
helicopters. These changes are
consistent with the intent of the
proposals in the NPRM (83 FR 23827,
May 23, 2018) and will not increase the
economic burden on any operator nor
increase the scope of this AD.
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Differences Between This 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 AD does
not require inspections and requires
installing the improved tail plane lower
fitting within 50 hours time-in-service.
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 P/N
8G0000P00511.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 4
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 requires 64 work-hours and parts
cost $15,424 for a total cost of $20,864
per helicopter and $83,456 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.
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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):
■
2018–24–06 Leonardo S.p.A. (Type
Certificate previously held by
Finmeccanica S.p.A. and
AgustaWestland S.p.A.): Amendment
39–19510; Docket No. FAA–2017–1081;
Product Identifier 2017–SW–090–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (Type
Certificate previously held by Finmeccanica
S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model
AW189 helicopters, certificated in any
category, with a tail plane lower fitting part
number (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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 231 / Friday, November 30, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
(c) Effective Date
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
This AD becomes effective January 4, 2019.
(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 P/N
8G0000P00511.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(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 Docket No.
FAA–2017–1081.
(h) Subject
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Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 5510, Horizontal Stabilizer Structure.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November
21, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:03 Nov 29, 2018
Jkt 247001
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0633; Product
Identifier 2018–NE–22–AD; Amendment 39–
19470; AD 2018–21–12]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; General
Electric Company Turbofan Engines
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
proposal to: Kristi Bradley, Aerospace
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.
[FR Doc. 2018–26071 Filed 11–29–18; 8:45 am]
Federal Aviation Administration
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
General Electric Company (GE) GEnx–
2B67, –2B67B, and –2B67/P turbofan
engines. This AD was prompted by lowcycle fatigue (LCF) cracking of the fuel
manifold leading to an engine fire. This
AD requires removal from service of
certain fuel manifolds at the next engine
shop visit and their replacement with
parts eligible for installation. We are
issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 4,
2019.
SUMMARY:
For service information
identified in this final rule, contact
General Electric Company, GE Aviation,
Room 285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati,
OH 45215; phone: 513–552–3272; email:
aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com. You may
view this service information at the
FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803. For information
on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 781–238–7759. It is also
available on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
0633.
ADDRESSES:
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–2018–
0633; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this final rule,
the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other
information. The 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.
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61527
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Herman Mak, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–
238–7147; fax: 781–238–7199; email:
herman.mak@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to certain GE GEnx–2B67,
–2B67B, and –2B67/P turbofan engines.
The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on August 3, 2018 (83 FR
38086). The NPRM was prompted by
LCF cracking of the fuel manifold
leading to an engine fire. The NPRM
proposed to require removal from
service of certain fuel manifolds at the
next engine shop visit and their
replacement with parts eligible for
installation. We are issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these
products.
Revision to Related Service Information
GE published GEnx–2B Service
Bulletin (SB) 73–0038 R03, dated
August 17, 2018, to provide operators
with instructions for replacing the lower
fuel manifold system when in the
intermixed configuration. This SB
eliminates the need to replace the top
main and lower fuel manifolds in the
shop.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this final rule.
We have considered the comment
received. The Boeing Company
supported the NPRM.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting this
final rule as proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed GE GEnx–2B SB 73–
0038 R02, dated November 19, 2015,
and GEnx–2B SB 73–0038 R03, dated
August 17, 2018. GE GEnx–2B SB 73–
0038 R02, dated November 19, 2015
describes procedures for removing and
replacing the fuel manifold system with
parts eligible for installation. GE GEnx–
2B SB 73–0038 R03, dated August 17,
2018 describes procedures for replacing
the fuel manifold system when in the
intermixed configuration.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects two
engines installed on airplanes of U.S.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61525-61527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26071]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-1081; Product Identifier 2017-SW-090-AD; Amendment
39-19510; AD 2018-24-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.)
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AW189 helicopters. This AD requires
replacing the tail plane lower fitting with an improved tail plane
lower fitting. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the tail
plane fittings of Model AW189 helicopters. The actions of this AD are
intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 4, 2019.
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-
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 AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
incorporated-by-reference service information, 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: Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On May 23, 2018, at 83 FR 23827, 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 AgustaWestland S.p.A. (now
Leonardo) Model AW189 helicopters with a tail plane lower fitting part
number (P/N) 8G5350A07051 installed. The NPRM proposed to require
replacing the tail plane lower fitting with an improved tail plane
lower fitting. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a
crack on a tail plane fitting, which could result in failure of the
tail plane fitting and loss of helicopter control.
[[Page 61526]]
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016-0161, dated August 8, 2016
(EASA AD 2016-0161), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition
for Leonardo 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 developed a tail plane lower fitting with an improved design
(P/N 8G0000P00511). Accordingly, EASA AD 2016-0161 requires repetitive
inspections of the tail plane lower fitting assembly until the improved
tail plane lower fitting is installed.
When the NPRM was issued, the FAA was in the process of updating
AgustaWestland's name changes to Finmeccanica S.p.A. and then to
Leonardo Helicopters on its FAA type certificate; therefore the NPRM
specified AgustaWestland as the type certificate holder. Because this
name change is now effective, this AD applies to Leonardo helicopters.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no 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
Italy and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist
or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs and that air
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as
proposed except for the name change from AgustaWestland to Leonardo. We
have also updated the estimated costs to reflect that this AD affects 4
helicopters of U.S. Registry rather than 2 helicopters. These changes
are consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM (83 FR
23827, May 23, 2018) and will not increase the economic burden on any
operator nor increase the scope of this AD.
Differences Between This 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 AD does not require
inspections and requires installing the improved tail plane lower
fitting within 50 hours time-in-service.
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 P/
N 8G0000P00511.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 4 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 requires 64 work-hours and parts cost $15,424
for a total cost of $20,864 per helicopter and $83,456 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):
2018-24-06 Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously held by
Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.): Amendment 39-19510;
Docket No. FAA-2017-1081; Product Identifier 2017-SW-090-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously
held by Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW189
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail plane lower
fitting part number (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.
[[Page 61527]]
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective January 4, 2019.
(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 P/N 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:
Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, Safety Management 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
Docket No. FAA-2017-1081.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5510, Horizontal
Stabilizer Structure.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 21, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26071 Filed 11-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
