Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters, 71818-71820 [2021-27390]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 241 / Monday, December 20, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
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
ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (h)(1) of this
AD.
(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.
Issued on November 19, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
(h) Related Information
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0834; Project
Identifier MCAI–2021–00298–R; Amendment
39–21844; AD 2021–25–01]
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Aziz Ahmed, Aviation Safety
Engineer, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (516) 287–7329; fax: (516)
794–5531; email: aziz.ahmed@faa.gov.
(2) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF–
2017–29, dated August 24, 2017, for more
information. You may examine the Transport
Canada AD at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–
2021–0214.
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(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Viking DHC–3 Otter Service Bulletin
Number V3/0008, Revision NC, dated
February 9, 2017.
(ii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada,
Limited DHC–3 Otter Service Bulletin
Number 3/37, Revision B, dated October 8,
1982.
Note to paragraph (i)(2)(ii): Although De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited DHC–
3 Otter Service Bulletin Number 3/37,
Revision B, dated October 8, 1982, is at
revision B, the footer on pages 3 through 6
shows revision ‘‘A,’’ dated May 14, 1982.
(3) For both Viking and De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada, Limited service
information identified in this AD, contact
Viking Air Limited Technical Support, 1959
De Havilland Way, Sidney, British Columbia,
Canada, V8L 5V5; phone: (North America)
(800) 663–8444; fax: (250) 656–0673; email:
technical.support@vikingair.com; website:
https://www.vikingair.com/support/servicebulletins.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329–4148.
(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,
email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations.html.
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[FR Doc. 2021–27409 Filed 12–17–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo
S.p.a. Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109S and
AW109SP helicopters. This AD was
prompted by the discovery that rubber
protection of certain electrical wiring
had not been installed in the baggage
avionics bay during production. This
AD requires installing protective rubber
borders on the edge of the baggage
avionics bay frames, as specified in a
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by
reference. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 24,
2022.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of January 24, 2022.
ADDRESSES: For EASA material
incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the
EASA material on the EASA website at
https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Leonardo
Helicopters service information
identified in this final 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://customerportal.leonardo
company.com/en-US/. You may view
this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information
on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (817) 222–5110. Service
information that is incorporated by
reference is also available in the AD
docket at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0834.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0834; 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 EASA AD, any comments
received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations 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: Hal
Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, Operational
Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950
L’Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC
20024; telephone (202) 267–9167; email
hal.jensen@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0065,
dated March 8, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–
0065), to correct an unsafe condition for
certain serial-numbered Leonardo S.p.A.
Helicopters, formerly Finmeccanica
S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta
S.p.A., Model A109S and AW109SP
helicopters.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109S
and AW109SP helicopters as identified
in EASA AD 2021–0065. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
September 30, 2021 (86 FR 54124). The
NPRM was prompted by the discovery
that rubber protection of certain
electrical wiring had not been installed
in the baggage avionics bay during
production. The NPRM proposed to
require installing protective rubber
borders on the edge of the baggage
avionics bay frames, as specified in
EASA AD 2021–0065.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
chafing of electrical wiring, which if not
addressed, could result in fire ignition
and smoke in the baggage compartment
and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter. See EASA AD 2021–0065 for
additional background information.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 241 / Monday, December 20, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
Discussion of Final Airworthiness
Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on
the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
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 reviewed
the relevant data and determined that
air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these helicopters.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021–0065 requires
installing rubber protections on the
electrical wiring in the baggage/avionics
compartment.
This material 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.
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Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Leonardo
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. 109S–100, dated February 2, 2021,
for Model A109S helicopters, and
Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 109SP–
142, also dated February 2, 2021, for
Model AW109SP helicopters. This
service information specifies procedures
for installing protective rubber borders
on the edge of the baggage avionics bay
frames.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 3 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 AD.
Installing protective rubber borders on
the edge of the baggage avionics bay
frames will take about 2 work-hours and
parts will cost about $24 for an
estimated cost of $194 per helicopter
and $582 for the U.S. fleet.
The FAA has included all known
costs in its cost estimate. According to
the manufacturer, however, some of the
costs of this AD may be covered under
warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
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Jkt 256001
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
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) 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 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:
■
2021–25–01 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment
39–21844; Docket No. FAA–2021–0834;
Project Identifier MCAI–2021–00298–R.
PO 00000
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71819
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is
effective January 24, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model
A109S and AW109SP helicopters,
certificated in any category, as identified in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2021–0065, dated March 8, 2021
(EASA AD 2021–0065).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 2497, Electrical Power System Wiring.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the discovery
that rubber protection of certain electrical
wiring had not been installed in the baggage
avionics bay during production. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent chafing of
electrical wiring. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in fire ignition and
smoke in the baggage compartment and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD: Comply with all required actions and
compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2021–0065.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0065
(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0065 requires
compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD
requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2021–0065 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not mandate compliance
with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD
2021–0065.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2021–0065 specifies
to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) 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 (l) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 241 / Monday, December 20, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
(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.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(l) Related Information
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0951; Project
Identifier AD–2021–01047–R; Amendment
39–21804; AD 2021–23–06]
For more information about this AD,
contact Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L’Enfant
Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024;
telephone (202) 267–9167; email hal.jensen@
faa.gov.
(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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2021–0065, dated March 8, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2021–0065, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the
EASA material on the EASA website at
https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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.
This material may be found in the AD docket
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–0834.
(5) You may view this material that is
incorporated by reference at the National
Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, email
fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
[FR Doc. 2021–27390 Filed 12–17–21; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
14 CFR Part 39
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Various
Model 234 and Model CH–47D
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
Issued on November 23, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for various
Model 234 and Model CH–47D
helicopters. This AD was prompted by
two reports of mechanical failures of the
longitudinal cyclic trim actuator
(LCTA). This AD requires determining
the maintenance history, and hours
time-in-service (TIS) and number of lift
cycles for each LCTA since last
overhaul, and then requires initial and
repetitive overhauls of each LCTA based
on that maintenance and service history.
This AD also prohibits installing an
LCTA unless it meets certain
requirements. Finally, this AD requires
reporting certain information to the
FAA. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these
products.
SUMMARY:
This AD is effective January 4,
2022.
The FAA must receive comments on
this AD by February 3, 2022.
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.
DATES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at
https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0951; or in person at Docket
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
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16:01 Dec 17, 2021
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holidays. The AD docket contains this
final rule, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Herron, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems & Equipment Section, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and
fax: (206) 231–3554; email
david.herron@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA received two reports of
mechanical failure of an LCTA, the
function of which is to constrain and
control the non-rotating swashplate. In
both failures, which occurred on Model
CH–47D helicopters, the flight crew was
forced to make an emergency landing as
they had difficulty controlling the
helicopter. Model 234 and Model CH–
47D helicopters both have the same
LCTA installed, with two installed on
each rotorcraft. Investigation as to the
root cause of these failures has
determined that inadequate
maintenance overhaul procedures and
scheduled overhaul intervals for this
critical flight component with a single
structural load path likely contributed
to this unsafe condition. One event
occurred due to excessive wear of the
acme screw threads from degradation or
lack of lubrication. The other event was
due to metal fatigue leading to the
fracture of the fourth stage spur gear
shaft (part of the acme screw) caused by
repetitive abnormal loading. The
repetitive abnormal loading occurred
because of the incorrect installation of a
travel limit switch, which rendered the
switch ineffective in removing power
from the electric motor at the designed
travel limit, thus allowing the electric
motor to repetitively overstroke the
actuator into a mechanical stop. While
the failure modes were different, the
failure effects were the same: Loss of the
constraint and control normally
provided by the LCTA. Failure of the
LCTA, if not prevented, could result in
loss of control of the rotor blades and
subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter or the rotor blades striking
the fuselage. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
The type certificate (TC) holder for
Model 234 helicopters is Columbia
Helicopters Inc. (TC previously held by
Boeing Defense & Space Group), and the
TC holders for Model CH–47D
helicopters currently include Columbia
Helicopters, Inc., Billings Flying
Service, Inc., Tandem Rotor, LLC, and
Unical Aviation, Inc. (originally
E:\FR\FM\20DER1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 241 (Monday, December 20, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71818-71820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27390]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0834; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00298-R;
Amendment 39-21844; AD 2021-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This AD
was prompted by the discovery that rubber protection of certain
electrical wiring had not been installed in the baggage avionics bay
during production. This AD requires installing protective rubber
borders on the edge of the baggage avionics bay frames, as specified in
a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 24, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 24,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. For Leonardo Helicopters service
information identified in this final 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://customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/. You may view this material 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. Service information that is
incorporated by reference is also available in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0834.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0834; 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
EASA AD, any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer,
Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA,
950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-
9167; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0065, dated March 8, 2021 (EASA
AD 2021-0065), to correct an unsafe condition for certain serial-
numbered Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A.,
AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A., Model A109S and AW109SP
helicopters.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Leonardo S.p.a. Model
A109S and AW109SP helicopters as identified in EASA AD 2021-0065. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2021 (86 FR
54124). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery that rubber protection
of certain electrical wiring had not been installed in the baggage
avionics bay during production. The NPRM proposed to require installing
protective rubber borders on the edge of the baggage avionics bay
frames, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0065.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent chafing of electrical wiring,
which if not addressed, could result in fire ignition and smoke in the
baggage compartment and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
See EASA AD 2021-0065 for additional background information.
[[Page 71819]]
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
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 reviewed the relevant
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these helicopters.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0065 requires installing rubber protections on the
electrical wiring in the baggage/avionics compartment.
This material 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.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. 109S-100, dated February 2, 2021, for Model A109S helicopters, and
Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 109SP-142, also dated February 2, 2021,
for Model AW109SP helicopters. This service information specifies
procedures for installing protective rubber borders on the edge of the
baggage avionics bay frames.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 3 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 AD.
Installing protective rubber borders on the edge of the baggage
avionics bay frames will take about 2 work-hours and parts will cost
about $24 for an estimated cost of $194 per helicopter and $582 for the
U.S. fleet.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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
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) 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 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:
2021-25-01 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21844; Docket No. FAA-2021-
0834; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00298-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 24, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109S and AW109SP
helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0065, dated March 8,
2021 (EASA AD 2021-0065).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2497, Electrical
Power System Wiring.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by the discovery that rubber protection of
certain electrical wiring had not been installed in the baggage
avionics bay during production. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent chafing of electrical wiring. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in fire ignition and smoke in the baggage
compartment and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0065.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0065
(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0065 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0065 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks''
section of EASA AD 2021-0065.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0065
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) 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 (l) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
[[Page 71820]]
(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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Hal Jensen,
Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza N SW, Washington, DC
20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email [email protected].
(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0065,
dated March 8, 2021.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2021-0065, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the
EASA material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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. This material may be
found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0834.
(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on November 23, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27390 Filed 12-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
