Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A) Helicopters, 24703-24705 [2019-10773]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 103 / Wednesday, May 29, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
occupant or any other airplane
occupant.
c. Failure of the occupant restraint or
any other condition that could result in
the occupant separating from the seat.
2. Protection Provided Below and
Above the ILD Actuation Condition—If
step-change effects on occupant
protection exist for impacts below and
above that at which the ILD deploys,
tests must be performed to demonstrate
that the occupant is shown to be
protected at any condition at which the
ILD does or does not deploy, up to the
maximum severity pulse specified by
§ 25.562. Test conditions must take into
account any necessary tolerances for
deployment.
3. Protection Over a Range of Crash
Pulse Vectors—The ILD must be shown
to function as intended for all test
vectors specified in § 25.562.
4. Protection During Secondary
Impacts—The ILD activation setting
must be demonstrated to maximize the
probability of the protection being
available when needed, considering a
secondary impact that is above the
severity at which the device is intended
to deploy up to the impact loading
required by § 25.562.
5. Protection of Occupants other than
50th Percentile—Protection of
occupants for a range of stature from a
two-year-old child to a ninety-five
percentile male must be shown.
6. Inadvertent Operation—It must be
shown that any inadvertent operation of
the ILD does not affect the performance
of the device during a subsequent
emergency landing.
7. Installation Protection—It must be
shown that the ILD installation is
protected from contamination and
interference from foreign objects.
8. Reliability—The performance of the
ILD must not be altered by the effects of
wear, manufacturing tolerances, aging or
drying of lubricants, and corrosion.
9. Maintenance and Functional
Checks—The design, installation, and
operation of the ILD must be such that
it is possible to functionally check the
device in place. Additionally, a
functional-check method and a
maintenance-check interval must be
included in the seat installer’s
instructions for continued airworthiness
(ICA) document.
10. Release Function—If a means
exists to release an inadvertently
activated ILD, the release means must
not introduce additional hidden failures
that would prevent the ILD from
functioning properly.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:21 May 28, 2019
Jkt 247001
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May
22, 2019.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy
and Innovation Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–11071 Filed 5–28–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0726; Product
Identifier 2017–SW–097–AD; Amendment
39–19638; AD 2019–09–04]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo
S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously
Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A.,
AgustaWestland S.p.A) Helicopters
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate
previously held by Finmeccanica S.p.A.,
AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model
AW109SP helicopters. This AD requires
inspecting and altering the rescue hoist.
This AD was prompted by a report of a
damaged hoist cable that detached after
load application. The actions of this AD
are intended to address an unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 3, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain document listed in this AD
as of July 3, 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/
en/home. 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. It is also available on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2018–0726.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email
david.hatfield@faa.gov.
Discussion
SUMMARY:
Frm 00003
and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
0726; 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 European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, any incorporated-byreference service information, the
regulatory 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
24703
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to certain Leonardo S.p.A.
(formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A,
AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model
AW109SP helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
August 21, 2018 (83 FR 42230). The
NPRM was prompted by a report of a
damaged hoist cable that detached after
load application. The NPRM proposed
to require inspecting and altering the
rescue hoist.
We are issuing this AD to address
chafing of a rescue hoist cable. This
condition could result in detachment of
an external load and subsequent injury
to persons being lifted.
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued AD No. 2017–0025,
dated February 14, 2017, to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Leonardo
S.p.A. (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A.
and AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model
AW109SP helicopters. EASA advises
that a hoist cable became snagged
behind a hoist handle assembly nut and
broke during a dummy load application.
EASA further advises that this condition
could result in detachment of an
external load, and subsequent personal
injury or injury to persons on the
ground. To address this unsafe
condition, the EASA AD requires
inspecting the hoist cable, modifying
the rescue hoist handle, and amending
the rescue hoist pre-flight inspection
described in the rotorcraft flight manual.
E:\FR\FM\29MYR1.SGM
29MYR1
24704
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 103 / Wednesday, May 29, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this final rule.
We have considered the comment
received. One commenter commented in
support of the NPRM.
FAA’s Determination
These helicopters have been approved
by EASA and are approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the European
Union, EASA 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 these
same type designs and that air safety
and the public interest require adopting
the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
Leonardo S.p.A. issued Leonardo
Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No.
109SP–110, dated February 13, 2017,
which contains procedures for
inspecting the hoist handle, the
passenger-side cabin doorframe, and the
hoist cable. This service information
also specifies replacing the attaching
hardware on the rescue hoist handle
and adding a temporary pre-flight check
of the hoist cable to the rotorcraft flight
manual.
This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties
have access to it through their normal
course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Differences Between This AD and the
EASA AD
The EASA AD requires amending the
rotorcraft flight manual by adding a
daily rescue hoist cable preflight
inspection, this AD does not since the
actions in this AD correct the unsafe
condition.
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 30
helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate
that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD,
based on an average labor rate of $85 per
hour.
Inspecting the hoist handle assembly,
cabin doorframe, and hoist cable
requires about 2 hours, for a cost of $170
per helicopter and $5,100 for the U.S.
fleet. Replacing the hardware on the
hoist handle assembly requires about 1
hour and required parts costs are
minimal, for a cost of $85 per helicopter
and $2,550 for the U.S. fleet.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:21 May 28, 2019
Jkt 247001
If required, replacing a hoist cable
requires about 3 hours and required
parts cost $3,150, for a cost per
helicopter of $3,405.
According to Leonardo Helicopters’
service information, some of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty,
thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control
warranty coverage by Leonardo
Helicopters. Accordingly, we have
included all costs in our cost estimate.
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
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.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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):
■
2019–09–04 Leonardo S.p.A. (Type
Certificate Previously Held by
Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland
S.p.A.): Amendment 39–19638; Docket
No. FAA–2018–0726; Product Identifier
2017–SW–097–AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (Type
Certificate previously held by Finmeccanica
S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model
AW109SP helicopters, certificated in any
category, with a rescue hoist part number
109–B810–16–101 or 109–B810–16–201
installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
chafing of a rescue hoist cable. This
condition could result in detachment of an
external load and subsequent injury to
persons being lifted.
(c) Effective Date
This AD is effective July 3, 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
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
before the next hoist operation, whichever
occurs first, inspect the rescue hoist handle
assembly and the upper part of the cabin
doorframe for chafing. The inspection area of
the cabin doorframe is depicted in Figure 3
of Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico
No. 109SP–110, dated February 13, 2017 (BT
109SP–110). Examples of chafing are shown
in Figures 10 and 11 of BT 109SP–110. If
there is any chafing, before further flight,
repair the chafed areas and inspect the first
6 meters (20 feet) of the hoist cable as
follows:
(i) Measure the diameter of the hoist cable
as described in the Compliance Instructions,
Part I, paragraphs 3.4.1 through 3.4.2 of BT
109SP–110.
E:\FR\FM\29MYR1.SGM
29MYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 103 / Wednesday, May 29, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
(ii) Average the two measurements at each
location. If at any location the diameter of the
hoist cable is less than 4.7 mm (0.185 inch),
before the next hoist operation, remove the
hoist cable from service.
(iii) Inspect the hoist cable for broken
wires, kinks, bird caging, flattened areas,
abrasion, and necking, referencing the
examples shown and depicted in Figures 5
through 9 of BT 109SP–110. If there are any
broken wires, kinks, bird caging, flattened
areas, abrasion, or necking, before the next
hoist operation, remove the hoist cable from
service.
(2) Within 25 hours TIS, replace the rescue
hoist handle attaching hardware as described
in the Compliance Instructions, Part II,
paragraphs 3 through 6, of BT 109SP–110.
(f) Special Flight Permits
A one-time special flight permit may be
granted provided that the hoist is not used.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
No. 2017–0025, dated February 14, 2017. You
may view the EASA AD on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA–2018–0726.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings.
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico
No. 109SP–110, dated February 13, 2017.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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
16:21 May 28, 2019
Jkt 247001
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 15,
2019.
Helene Gandy,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–10773 Filed 5–28–19; 8:45 am]
(1) The Manager, Safety Management
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
proposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9ASWFTW-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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
(Va) Italy; telephone +39–0331–711756; fax
+39–0331–229046; or at https://
www.leonardocompany.com/en/home.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
(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.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement
30 CFR Part 250
[Docket ID: BSEE–2017–0008; 190E1700D2
ETISF0000.EAQ000 EEEE500000]
RIN 1014–AA37
Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations
on the Outer Continental Shelf—Oil
and Gas Production Safety Systems;
Corrections
Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Correcting amendments.
AGENCY:
On September 28, 2018, the
Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement (BSEE) published a final
rule that revised certain BSEEadministered regulations. This
document corrects the final regulations.
DATES: Effective on May 29, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelly Odom, Regulations and Standards
Branch, 703–787–1775 or by email:
regs@bsee.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BSEE
published the final rule: Oil and Gas
and Sulphur Operations on the Outer
Continental Shelf—Oil and Gas
Production Safety Systems (1014–
AA37), on September 28, 2018 (83 FR
49216). This correction to that
publication is necessary to modify the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
24705
amendatory instructions in the
regulatory text of the final rule related
to the formatting of certain tables. The
Office of the Federal Register has
informed BSEE that it must remove the
instruction to print certain tables in the
final regulatory text as photographs in
the Federal Register publication in
order to facilitate the printing of the
final regulatory text in the Code of
Federal Regulations by the Government
Publishing Office. Accordingly, BSEE
publishes this correction so that the
tables as printed in the Federal Register
are formatted to be more readily
susceptible to publication in the Code of
Federal Regulations. This correction is
clerical in nature only, and does not
impact the substantive requirements of
the final rule.
List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250
Administrative practice and
procedure, Continental shelf,
Continental shelf—mineral resources,
Continental shelf—rights-of-way,
Environmental impact statements,
Environmental protection, Government
contracts, Incorporation by reference,
Investigations, Oil and gas exploration,
Penalties, Pipelines, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, the Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
amends 30 CFR part 250 as follows:
PART 250—OIL AND GAS AND
SULFUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER
CONTINENTAL SHELF
1. The authority citation for part 250
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1751, 31 U.S.C. 9701,
33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(1)(C), 43 U.S.C. 1334.
Subpart H—Oil and Gas Production
Safety Systems
■
2. Revise § 250.842 to read as follows:
§ 250.842 Approval of safety systems
design and installation features.
(a) Before you install or modify a
production safety system, you must
submit a production safety system
application to the District Manager. The
District Manager must approve your
production safety system application
before you commence production
through or otherwise use the new or
modified system. The application must
include the design documentation
prescribed as follows:
E:\FR\FM\29MYR1.SGM
29MYR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 29, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24703-24705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10773]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0726; Product Identifier 2017-SW-097-AD; Amendment
39-19638; AD 2019-09-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A)
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously held by Finmeccanica
S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP helicopters. This AD
requires inspecting and altering the rescue hoist. This AD was prompted
by a report of a damaged hoist cable that detached after load
application. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 3, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of July 3, 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/en/home. 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. It is
also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0726.
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-
0726; 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
incorporated-by-reference service information, the regulatory
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: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
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
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Leonardo S.p.A.
(formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A, AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 21,
2018 (83 FR 42230). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a damaged
hoist cable that detached after load application. The NPRM proposed to
require inspecting and altering the rescue hoist.
We are issuing this AD to address chafing of a rescue hoist cable.
This condition could result in detachment of an external load and
subsequent injury to persons being lifted.
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued AD No. 2017-0025, dated February 14, 2017,
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly
Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP
helicopters. EASA advises that a hoist cable became snagged behind a
hoist handle assembly nut and broke during a dummy load application.
EASA further advises that this condition could result in detachment of
an external load, and subsequent personal injury or injury to persons
on the ground. To address this unsafe condition, the EASA AD requires
inspecting the hoist cable, modifying the rescue hoist handle, and
amending the rescue hoist pre-flight inspection described in the
rotorcraft flight manual.
[[Page 24704]]
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. One commenter
commented in support of the NPRM.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement
with the European Union, EASA 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 these
same type designs and that air safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Leonardo S.p.A. issued Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No.
109SP-110, dated February 13, 2017, which contains procedures for
inspecting the hoist handle, the passenger-side cabin doorframe, and
the hoist cable. This service information also specifies replacing the
attaching hardware on the rescue hoist handle and adding a temporary
pre-flight check of the hoist cable to the rotorcraft flight manual.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires amending the rotorcraft flight manual by
adding a daily rescue hoist cable preflight inspection, this AD does
not since the actions in this AD correct the unsafe condition.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 30 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD, based on an average labor rate of $85 per hour.
Inspecting the hoist handle assembly, cabin doorframe, and hoist
cable requires about 2 hours, for a cost of $170 per helicopter and
$5,100 for the U.S. fleet. Replacing the hardware on the hoist handle
assembly requires about 1 hour and required parts costs are minimal,
for a cost of $85 per helicopter and $2,550 for the U.S. fleet.
If required, replacing a hoist cable requires about 3 hours and
required parts cost $3,150, for a cost per helicopter of $3,405.
According to Leonardo Helicopters' service information, some of the
costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty
coverage by Leonardo Helicopters. Accordingly, we have included all
costs in our cost estimate.
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
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):
2019-09-04 Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.): Amendment 39-19638;
Docket No. FAA-2018-0726; Product Identifier 2017-SW-097-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate previously
held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW109SP
helicopters, certificated in any category, with a rescue hoist part
number 109-B810-16-101 or 109-B810-16-201 installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as chafing of a rescue
hoist cable. This condition could result in detachment of an
external load and subsequent injury to persons being lifted.
(c) Effective Date
This AD is effective July 3, 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
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or before the next
hoist operation, whichever occurs first, inspect the rescue hoist
handle assembly and the upper part of the cabin doorframe for
chafing. The inspection area of the cabin doorframe is depicted in
Figure 3 of Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 109SP-110,
dated February 13, 2017 (BT 109SP-110). Examples of chafing are
shown in Figures 10 and 11 of BT 109SP-110. If there is any chafing,
before further flight, repair the chafed areas and inspect the first
6 meters (20 feet) of the hoist cable as follows:
(i) Measure the diameter of the hoist cable as described in the
Compliance Instructions, Part I, paragraphs 3.4.1 through 3.4.2 of
BT 109SP-110.
[[Page 24705]]
(ii) Average the two measurements at each location. If at any
location the diameter of the hoist cable is less than 4.7 mm (0.185
inch), before the next hoist operation, remove the hoist cable from
service.
(iii) Inspect the hoist cable for broken wires, kinks, bird
caging, flattened areas, abrasion, and necking, referencing the
examples shown and depicted in Figures 5 through 9 of BT 109SP-110.
If there are any broken wires, kinks, bird caging, flattened areas,
abrasion, or necking, before the next hoist operation, remove the
hoist cable from service.
(2) Within 25 hours TIS, replace the rescue hoist handle
attaching hardware as described in the Compliance Instructions, Part
II, paragraphs 3 through 6, of BT 109SP-110.
(f) Special Flight Permits
A one-time special flight permit may be granted provided that
the hoist is not used.
(g) 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:
David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 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.
(h) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2017-0025, dated February 14, 2017. You may
view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in
Docket No. FAA-2018-0726.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500, Cabin
Equipment/Furnishings.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Leonardo Helicopters Bollettino Tecnico No. 109SP-110, dated
February 13, 2017.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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/en/home.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(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 Fort Worth, Texas, on May 15, 2019.
Helene Gandy,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-10773 Filed 5-28-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
