Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters, 30822-30824 [2021-12039]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 110 / Thursday, June 10, 2021 / Proposed Rules
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 responsible Flight
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the Large Aircraft
Section, International Validation Branch,
send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the responsible
Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain instructions
from a manufacturer, the instructions must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA; or
CAAI; or CAAI’s authorized Designee. If
approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval
must include the Designee’s authorized
signature.
(k) Related Information
(1) For CAAI AD I–57–2020–06–01, contact
The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel
(CAAI), P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport
City, 70100, Israel; telephone 972–3–
9774665; fax 972–3–9774592; email aip@
mot.gov.il. You may find this CAAI AD on
the CAAI website at https://www.caa.gov.il.
You may view this material at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195. This material may be found
in the AD docket on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0459.
(2) For more information about this AD,
contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
Large Aircraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and
fax 206–231–3226; email Tom.Rodriguez@
faa.gov.
Issued on June 6, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0455; Project
Identifier 2018–SW–031–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo
S.p.a. Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
AGENCY:
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16:41 Jun 09, 2021
Jkt 253001
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189
helicopters. This proposed AD was
prompted by fatigue testing and
analyses. This proposed AD would
require establishing a life limit for a
certain part-numbered tail gearbox
fitting. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these
products.
SUMMARY:
The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by July 26, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
For service information identified in
this NPRM, 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 this service information
at the 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.
DATES:
Examining the AD Docket
[FR Doc. 2021–12170 Filed 6–9–21; 8:45 am]
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
ACTION:
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0455; 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
NPRM, the European Aviation Safety
Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS
Program Management Section,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance
& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
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Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email
kristin.bradley@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–0455; Project Identifier
2018–SW–031–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of
the proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Kristi Bradley,
Program Manager, COS Program
Management Section, Operational
Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email
kristin.bradley@faa.gov. Any
commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as
CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 110 / Thursday, June 10, 2021 / Proposed Rules
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD 2018–0087,
dated April 18, 2018 (EASA AD 2018–
0087), to correct an unsafe condition for
Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters (formerly
Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland
S.p.A.) Model AW189 helicopters.
EASA advises of revisions resulting in
Leonardo AW189 Maintenance Manual,
Document 89–A–AMPI–00–P, Chapter
IV, Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 13
(89–A–AMPI–00–P ALS Issue 13),
which includes new and/or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations and
maintenance tasks since its original
issuance. Failure to accomplish those
airworthiness limitations and
maintenance tasks could result in an
unsafe condition.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2018–0087
requires accomplishing the actions
specified in 89–A–AMPI–00–P ALS
Issue 13 and revising the Aircraft
Maintenance Program (AMP) with the
actions specified in 89–A–AMPI–00–P
ALS Issue 13.
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 the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of the same
type design.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed AW189 Air
Vehicle Maintenance Planning
Information, 89–B–AMPI–00–P, Chapter
4, Issue 6, dated July 17, 2018 (89–B–
AMPI–00–P ALS Issue 6). 89–B–AMPI–
00–P ALS Issue 6 specifies various
airworthiness limitations information
including retirement lives, mandatory
inspections, and certification
maintenance requirements. 89–B–
AMPI–00–P ALS Issue 6 is equivalent to
89–A–AMPI–00–P ALS Issue 13.
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
determining the total hours time-inservice (TIS) and total number of
landings of tail gearbox fitting part
number (P/N) 4F5350A04152. If the
total hours TIS and total number of
landings cannot be determined, this
proposed AD would require removing
the part from service. This proposed AD
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:41 Jun 09, 2021
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would establish a life limit for tail
gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 and
require removing the part from service
according to the new life limit.
Differences Between This Proposed AD
and the EASA AD
EASA AD 2018–0087 applies to
Model AW189 helicopters, whereas this
proposed AD would apply to that model
helicopter with tail gearbox fitting P/N
4F5350A04152 installed instead. EASA
AD 2018–0087 requires accomplishing
the actions specified in 89–A–AMPI–
00–P ALS Issue 13 and revising the
AMP with the actions specified in 89–
A–AMPI–00–P ALS Issue 13, whereas
this proposed AD would require
establishing a life limit for tail gearbox
fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 and removing
that part from service accordingly
instead.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect 4
helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
Based on these numbers, the FAA
estimates the following costs to comply
with this proposed AD.
Replacing a tail gearbox fitting would
take about 48 work-hours and parts
would cost about $30,000 for an
estimated cost of $34,080 per helicopter
and $136,320 for the U.S. fleet, per
replacement cycle.
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
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30823
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) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
■
Leonardo S.p.a.: Docket No. FAA–2021–
0455; Project Identifier 2018–SW–031–
AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by July 26, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model
AW189 helicopters, certificated in any
category, with tail gearbox fitting part
number (P/N) 4F5350A04152 installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6520, Tail Rotor Gearbox.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by fatigue testing
and analyses. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent parts from remaining in service
beyond their fatigue life. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in
failure of a part, which could result in loss
of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 110 / Thursday, June 10, 2021 / Proposed Rules
(g) Required Actions
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Before further flight after the effective date
of this AD:
(1) Determine the total hours time-inservice (TIS) and total number of landings of
tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152. For
purposes of this AD, a landing is counted
anytime a helicopter lifts off into the air and
then lands again regardless of the duration of
the landing and regardless of whether the
engine is shutdown. If the total hours TIS
and total number of landings cannot be
determined, before further flight, remove the
part from service.
(2) Remove any part from service that has
reached or exceeded its life limit as follows.
Thereafter, remove any part from service on
or before reaching its life limit as follows.
Tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152:
14,600 total hours TIS or 57,300 total
landings, whichever occurs first.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation
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 manager of the International Validation
Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) 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.
(i) Related Information
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Kristi Bradley, Program Manager,
COS Program Management Section,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222–5110; email
kristin.bradley@faa.gov.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
European Aviation Safety Agency (now
European Union Aviation Safety Agency)
(EASA) AD 2018–0087, dated April 18, 2018.
You may view the EASA AD on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FAA–2021–0455.
Issued on June 3, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–12039 Filed 6–9–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:41 Jun 09, 2021
Jkt 253001
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0454; Project
Identifier AD–2021–00006–RRIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron
Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held
by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.)
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 Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate
previously held by Bell Helicopter
Textron Inc.) (Bell) Model 205B
helicopters. This proposed AD was
prompted by a notification of certain
parts needing a life limit. This proposed
AD would require determining the total
hours time-in-service (TIS) of certain
part numbered main rotor grip
assemblies (grip assemblies),
establishing a life limit for certain partnumbered grip assemblies, removing
from service any grip assembly that has
reached or exceeded its retirement life,
creating a component history card, and
removing any grip assembly from
service before reaching its retirement
life. This proposed AD would also
prohibit installing certain grip
assemblies unless the life limit was
established in accordance with this
proposed AD. The FAA is proposing
this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by July 26, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
SUMMARY:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0454; or in person at Docket
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this
NPRM, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kuethe Harmon, Safety Management
Program Manager, DSCO Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort
Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–
5198; email Kuethe.harmon@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–0454; Project Identifier AD–
2021–00006–R’’ at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Kuethe Harmon,
Safety Management Program Manager,
DSCO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
E:\FR\FM\10JNP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 110 (Thursday, June 10, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30822-30824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12039]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; Project Identifier 2018-SW-031-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. Model AW189 helicopters. This proposed AD
was prompted by fatigue testing and analyses. This proposed AD would
require establishing a life limit for a certain part-numbered tail
gearbox fitting. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 26,
2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 this service information at the 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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; 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 NPRM, the European
Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency)
(EASA) AD, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; Project Identifier
2018-SW-031-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS Program Management Section,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
[[Page 30823]]
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0087, dated April 18, 2018
(EASA AD 2018-0087), to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A.
Helicopters (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model
AW189 helicopters. EASA advises of revisions resulting in Leonardo
AW189 Maintenance Manual, Document 89-A-AMPI-00-P, Chapter IV,
Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 13 (89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13),
which includes new and/or more restrictive airworthiness limitations
and maintenance tasks since its original issuance. Failure to
accomplish those airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks could
result in an unsafe condition.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0087 requires accomplishing the actions
specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13 and revising the Aircraft
Maintenance Program (AMP) with the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P
ALS Issue 13.
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
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
on other helicopters of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed AW189 Air Vehicle Maintenance Planning
Information, 89-B-AMPI-00-P, Chapter 4, Issue 6, dated July 17, 2018
(89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6). 89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6 specifies
various airworthiness limitations information including retirement
lives, mandatory inspections, and certification maintenance
requirements. 89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6 is equivalent to 89-A-AMPI-00-
P ALS Issue 13.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require determining the total hours time-in-
service (TIS) and total number of landings of tail gearbox fitting part
number (P/N) 4F5350A04152. If the total hours TIS and total number of
landings cannot be determined, this proposed AD would require removing
the part from service. This proposed AD would establish a life limit
for tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 and require removing the part
from service according to the new life limit.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD
EASA AD 2018-0087 applies to Model AW189 helicopters, whereas this
proposed AD would apply to that model helicopter with tail gearbox
fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 installed instead. EASA AD 2018-0087 requires
accomplishing the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13 and
revising the AMP with the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue
13, whereas this proposed AD would require establishing a life limit
for tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 and removing that part from
service accordingly instead.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 4 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85
per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD.
Replacing a tail gearbox fitting would take about 48 work-hours and
parts would cost about $30,000 for an estimated cost of $34,080 per
helicopter and $136,320 for the U.S. fleet, per replacement cycle.
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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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:
Leonardo S.p.a.: Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; Project Identifier 2018-
SW-031-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 26, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters,
certificated in any category, with tail gearbox fitting part number
(P/N) 4F5350A04152 installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6520, Tail Rotor
Gearbox.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by fatigue testing and analyses. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent parts from remaining in service beyond
their fatigue life. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in failure of a part, which could result in loss of control
of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
[[Page 30824]]
(g) Required Actions
Before further flight after the effective date of this AD:
(1) Determine the total hours time-in-service (TIS) and total
number of landings of tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152. For
purposes of this AD, a landing is counted anytime a helicopter lifts
off into the air and then lands again regardless of the duration of
the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown. If the
total hours TIS and total number of landings cannot be determined,
before further flight, remove the part from service.
(2) Remove any part from service that has reached or exceeded
its life limit as follows. Thereafter, remove any part from service
on or before reaching its life limit as follows. Tail gearbox
fitting P/N 4F5350A04152: 14,600 total hours TIS or 57,300 total
landings, whichever occurs first.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
(2) 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.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley,
Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety
Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD
2018-0087, dated April 18, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-0455.
Issued on June 3, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12039 Filed 6-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
