Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters, 22970-22972 [2020-08644]
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22970
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 80 / Friday, April 24, 2020 / Proposed Rules
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Signed in Washington, DC, on February 21,
2020.
Alexander N. Fitzsimmons,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020–08318 Filed 4–23–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2020–0411; Product
Identifier 2018–SW–061–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo
S.p.a. Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo)
Model A119 and AW119MKII
helicopters. This proposed AD would
require repetitive borescope inspections
of the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) and
depending on the inspection results,
removing the TGB from service. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports
of corrosion on the internal surface of
the 90-degree TGB output shaft. The
actions of this proposed AD are
intended to address an unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by June 23, 2020.
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.
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SUMMARY:
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• 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–2020–
0411; 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 Union Aviation
Safety Agency (previously European
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD,
any comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
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, Emanuele Bufano,
Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta
520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va)
Italy; telephone +39–0331–225074; fax
+39–0331–229046; or at https://
www.leonardocompany.com/en/home.
You may view 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: Rao
Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817–222–5110; email
rao.edupuganti@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. The FAA also
invites 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.
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Sfmt 4702
The FAA will file in the docket all
comments received, as well as a report
summarizing each substantive public
contact with FAA personnel concerning
this proposed rulemaking. Before acting
on this proposal, the FAA will consider
all comments received on or before the
closing date for comments. The FAA
will consider comments filed after the
comment period has closed if it is
possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. The FAA may change
this proposal in light of the comments
received.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2018–
0156, dated July 24, 2018 (EASA AD
2018–0156) to correct an unsafe
condition for Leonardo (formerly
Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland
S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.; and
AgustaWestland Philadelphia
Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace
Corporation) Model A119 and
AW119MKII helicopters with 90-degree
TGB part number (P/N) 109–0440–06–
101 or P/N 109–0440–06–105 having
serial number 167, 169 through 172
inclusive, 215 through 225 inclusive,
227, 230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16,
M47, or L29, installed. EASA advises of
two reported occurrences of corrosion
on the internal surface of the 90-degree
TGB shaft installed on Model A119
helicopters. Further analysis identified a
specific batch of parts that may be
susceptible to similar conditions. Due to
design similarity, Model AW119MKII
helicopters are also affected.
EASA states that this condition, if not
detected and corrected, could lead to
failure of the tail rotor, possibly
resulting in reduced control of the
helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD
2018–0156 requires performing
repetitive endoscope inspections on the
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB
output shaft for corrosion and
depending on the findings, replacing the
TGB. EASA further states EASA AD
2018–0156 is considered an interim
action and further AD action may
follow.
FAA’s Determination
These helicopters have been approved
by EASA and are approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to the
FAA’s bilateral agreement with the
European Union, EASA has notified the
FAA about the unsafe condition
described in its AD. The FAA is
proposing this AD after evaluating all
known relevant information and
determining that an unsafe condition is
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 80 / Friday, April 24, 2020 / Proposed Rules
likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type designs.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Leonardo
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
119–090, dated July 23, 2018, for Model
A119 and AW119MKII helicopters,
which contains procedures for
conducting an endoscope inspection of
the internal surface of the 90-degree
TGB output shaft for corrosion. This
service information also specifies
replacing the TGB if corrosion is found.
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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require
compliance with certain procedures
described in the manufacturer’s service
bulletin. For helicopters with an
affected 90-degree TGB output shaft
installed, this proposed AD would
require within 25 hours time-in-service
(TIS) or 3 months, whichever comes
first, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 100 hours TIS or 6 months,
whichever occurs first, borescope
inspecting the internal surface of the 90degree TGB output shaft for corrosion.
If there is corrosion, this proposed AD
would require removing the TGB from
service before further flight.
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Interim Action
The FAA considers this proposed AD
to be an interim action. An investigation
is ongoing and if final action is later
identified, the FAA might consider
further rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD would affect 96 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA also estimates that
operators may incur the following costs
in order to comply with this proposed
AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per
work-hour.
Borescope inspecting the 90-degree
TGB output shaft would take about 3
work-hours for an estimated cost of
$255 per helicopter and $24,480 for the
U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
Replacing a (overhauled) TGB would
take about 18 work-hours and parts
would cost about $49,000 (overhauled)
for an estimated cost of $50,530 per
helicopter.
According to Leonardo’s service
information, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under
warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected individuals. The
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FAA does not control warranty coverage
by Leonardo. Accordingly, the FAA has
included all costs in the 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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
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.
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Sfmt 4702
§ 39.13
22971
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
Leonardo S.p.a.: Docket No. FAA–2020–
0411; Product Identifier 2018–SW–061–
AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model
A119 and AW119MKII helicopters, certified
in any category, with 90-degree tail rotor
gearbox (TGB) part number (P/N) 109–0440–
06–101 or 109–0440–06–105 having serial
number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215
through 225 inclusive, 227, 230, 232, 233,
AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29, installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as
corrosion on the internal surface of the 90degree TGB output shaft. This condition
could result in failure of the 90-degree TGB
output shaft and reduced control of the
helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by June
23, 2020.
(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 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or
3 months, whichever occurs first, and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours
TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first,
borescope inspect the entire internal surface
of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for
corrosion. Refer to Figure 3 of Leonardo
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 119–
090, dated July 23, 2018, for a depiction of
the entry point for the borescope. If there is
corrosion, before further flight, remove from
service the TGB.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do
not install on any helicopter any 90-degree
TGB P/N 109–0440–06–101 or 109–0440–06–
105 that has serial number 167, 169 through
172 inclusive, 215 through 225 inclusive,
227, 230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or
L29, unless the actions required by paragraph
(e)(1) of this AD have been done.
(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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section,
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone 817–222–5110; email 9-ASW-FTWAMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 80 / Friday, April 24, 2020 / Proposed Rules
operating any aircraft complying with this
AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(previously European Aviation Safety
Agency) (EASA) AD No. 2018–0156, dated
July 24, 2018. 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: 62, Tail Rotor Gearbox.
Issued on April 20, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–08644 Filed 4–23–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
34 CFR Chapter III
[Docket ID ED–2019–OSERS–0156]
Proposed Priority and Definitions—
State Personnel Development Grants
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.323A.
AGENCY: Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Proposed priority and
definitions.
The Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services
(OSERS) proposes a funding priority
and definitions under the State
Personnel Development Grants (SPDG)
program, which assists States in
reforming and improving their systems
for personnel preparation and personnel
development in order to improve results
for children with disabilities. We take
this action to focus attention on the
need to improve results for children
with disabilities by empowering
personnel to select professional
development activities to improve their
ability to serve children with
disabilities. The Department may use
the proposed priority and definitions for
competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2020
and later years.
DATES: We must receive your comments
on or before May 26, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal
or via postal mail, commercial delivery,
or hand delivery. We will not accept
comments submitted by fax or by email
or those submitted after the comment
period. To ensure that we do not receive
duplicate copies, please submit your
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:06 Apr 23, 2020
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comments only once. In addition, please
include the Docket ID at the top of your
comments.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov to submit your
comments electronically. Information
on using Regulations.gov, including
instructions for accessing agency
documents, submitting comments, and
viewing the docket, is available on the
site under ‘‘How to use
Regulations.gov’’ in the Help section.
• Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery,
or Hand Delivery: If you mail or deliver
your comments about the proposed
priority and definitions, address them to
Jennifer Coffey, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 5161, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–5076.
Privacy Note: The Department’s
policy is to make all comments received
from members of the public available for
public viewing in their entirety on the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov. Therefore,
commenters should be careful to
include in their comments only
information that they wish to make
publicly available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Coffey, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 5161, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–5076.
Telephone: (202) 245–6673. Email:
Jennifer.Coffey@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Invitation to Comment: We invite you
to submit comments regarding the
proposed priority and definitions. To
ensure that your comments have
maximum effect in developing the
notice of final priority and definitions,
we urge you to identify clearly the
specific section of the proposed priority
or definition that each comment
addresses.
We are particularly interested in
comments about whether the proposed
priority would be challenging for new
grantees to meet and, if so, how the
proposed priority could be revised to
address potential challenges for new
grantees and reduce burden.
Directed Question 1: The Department
seeks information on the extent to
which State educational agencies (SEAs)
and local educational agencies (LEAs)
under Part B of IDEA, and, if
appropriate, lead agencies (LAs) or local
agencies under Part C of IDEA provide
special education teachers and other
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personnel autonomy in selecting their
professional development options.
Directed Question 2: The Department
seeks information on State and local
professional development policies and
requirements for special education
teachers and other personnel, such as
the number of hours of professional
development personnel must fulfill or
the competencies personnel must
acquire to obtain or maintain applicable
certifications.
In responding to these questions, the
Secretary specifically invites comments
on how this proposed priority would
change existing professional
development requirements, policies,
and practices and if it could increase the
effectiveness of professional
development for teachers and other
personnel. When responding,
commenters should keep in mind that
the professional development provided
must be consistent with the State
personnel development plan
(hereinafter referred to as a ‘‘State
plan’’) under section 653 of IDEA and
the use of SPDG funds to implement
authorized professional development
activities under section 654 of IDEA.
We invite you to assist us in
complying with the specific
requirements of Executive Orders
12866, 13563, and 13771 and their
overall requirement of reducing
regulatory burden that might result from
the proposed priority and definitions.
Please let us know of any further ways
we could reduce potential costs or
increase potential benefits while
preserving the effective and efficient
administration of the program.
During and after the comment period,
you may inspect all public comments
about the proposed priority and
definitions by accessing
Regulations.gov. You may also inspect
the comments in person in Room 5161,
550 12th Street SW, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC, between the
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
of each week except Federal holidays.
Assistance to Individuals With
Disabilities in Reviewing the
Rulemaking Record: On request, we will
provide an appropriate accommodation
or auxiliary aid to an individual with a
disability who needs assistance to
review the comments or other
documents in the public rulemaking
record for the proposed priority and
definitions. If you want to schedule an
appointment for this type of
accommodation or auxiliary aid, please
contact the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
this program is to assist SEAs in
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 80 (Friday, April 24, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22970-22972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08644]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0411; Product Identifier 2018-SW-061-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A119 and AW119MKII
helicopters. This proposed AD would require repetitive borescope
inspections of the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) and depending on the
inspection results, removing the TGB from service. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of corrosion on the internal surface of the 90-
degree TGB output shaft. The actions of this proposed AD are intended
to address an unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 23,
2020.
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-2020-
0411; 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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously
European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above. 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, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness,
Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone
+39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. You may view 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: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-
5110; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. The FAA also invites 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.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well as a
report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal,
the FAA will consider all comments received on or before the closing
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the
comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring
expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the
comments received.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018
(EASA AD 2018-0156) to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo
(formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.;
and AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace
Corporation) Model A119 and AW119MKII helicopters with 90-degree TGB
part number (P/N) 109-0440-06-101 or P/N 109-0440-06-105 having serial
number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through 225 inclusive, 227,
230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29, installed. EASA advises of
two reported occurrences of corrosion on the internal surface of the
90-degree TGB shaft installed on Model A119 helicopters. Further
analysis identified a specific batch of parts that may be susceptible
to similar conditions. Due to design similarity, Model AW119MKII
helicopters are also affected.
EASA states that this condition, if not detected and corrected,
could lead to failure of the tail rotor, possibly resulting in reduced
control of the helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0156 requires
performing repetitive endoscope inspections on the internal surface of
the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion and depending on the
findings, replacing the TGB. EASA further states EASA AD 2018-0156 is
considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an
unsafe condition is
[[Page 22971]]
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of the same type
designs.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
119-090, dated July 23, 2018, for Model A119 and AW119MKII helicopters,
which contains procedures for conducting an endoscope inspection of the
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion. This
service information also specifies replacing the TGB if corrosion is
found.
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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require compliance with certain procedures
described in the manufacturer's service bulletin. For helicopters with
an affected 90-degree TGB output shaft installed, this proposed AD
would require within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100
hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, borescope inspecting the
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion. If
there is corrosion, this proposed AD would require removing the TGB
from service before further flight.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this proposed AD to be an interim action. An
investigation is ongoing and if final action is later identified, the
FAA might consider further rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 96 helicopters
of U.S. Registry. The FAA also estimates that operators may incur the
following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
Borescope inspecting the 90-degree TGB output shaft would take
about 3 work-hours for an estimated cost of $255 per helicopter and
$24,480 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
Replacing a (overhauled) TGB would take about 18 work-hours and
parts would cost about $49,000 (overhauled) for an estimated cost of
$50,530 per helicopter.
According to Leonardo's service information, some of the costs of
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty
coverage by Leonardo. Accordingly, the FAA has included all costs in
the 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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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):
Leonardo S.p.a.: Docket No. FAA-2020-0411; Product Identifier 2018-
SW-061-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119MKII
helicopters, certified in any category, with 90-degree tail rotor
gearbox (TGB) part number (P/N) 109-0440-06-101 or 109-0440-06-105
having serial number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through 225
inclusive, 227, 230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29,
installed.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion on the
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft. This condition
could result in failure of the 90-degree TGB output shaft and
reduced control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by June 23, 2020.
(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 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months, whichever
occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours
TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, borescope inspect the
entire internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for
corrosion. Refer to Figure 3 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service
Bulletin No. 119-090, dated July 23, 2018, for a depiction of the
entry point for the borescope. If there is corrosion, before further
flight, remove from service the TGB.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any
helicopter any 90-degree TGB P/N 109-0440-06-101 or 109-0440-06-105
that has serial number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through
225 inclusive, 227, 230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29,
unless the actions required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD have been
done.
(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:
Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests
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
[[Page 22972]]
operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD
No. 2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018. 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: 62, Tail Rotor
Gearbox.
Issued on April 20, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08644 Filed 4-23-20; 8:45 am]
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