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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0648; Product Identifier 2017-SW-087-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This
proposed AD would require replacing screws installed on the left and
right main landing gear (MLG) shock absorber assembly. This proposed AD
is prompted by a report that some screws may have been manufactured
without meeting specifications. The actions of this proposed AD are
intended to correct an unsafe condition on these helicopters.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September
17, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://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 http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0648; 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 Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. 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, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of Airworthiness,
Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone
+39-0331-711756; fax +39-0331-229046; or at http://www.leonardocompany.
com/-/bulletins. You may review the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX
76177.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email david.hatfield@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. We also invite 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.
We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016-077, dated April 19, 2016,
to correct an unsafe condition for Finmeccanica S.p.A. (previously
Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters if equipped with kit
"Increased Gross Weight 6800 kg" part number (P/N) 4G0000F00111
(kit). EASA advises of a manufacturing issue with the standard screws
(P/N NAS1351-5H12P) installed on MLG shock absorber assembly P/N
1652B0000-01. According to EASA, a material analysis shows that the MLG
shock absorber screws may have a lower fatigue life than the screws
used during the certification fatigue tests. EASA states the affected
MLG units have been identified by serial number. EASA also advises that
this unsafe condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
failure of the MLG shock absorber, collapse or retraction of the MLG,
and subsequent damage to the helicopter and injury to occupants.
To correct this condition, the EASA AD requires replacing each
standard screw with a new screw P/N 1652A0001-01 and re-identifying the
serial number of each MLG shock absorber assembly that has the new
screw installed, and prohibits installing any affected MLG shock
absorber assembly unless the screw has been replaced.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
Italy and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with Italy, EASA, its technical representative,
has notified us of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are
proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information
and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop
on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Finmeccanica Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-397, dated
April 7, 2016, which contains procedures for replacing the standard
screws installed on the left and right MLG assembly and for re-
identifying the MLG shock absorber assembly P/N and the MLG assembly S/N.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require replacing each standard screw P/N
NAS1351-5H12P with a screw P/N 1652A0001-01 and re-identifying the
serial number of the MLG assembly within the following compliance
times:
For MLG assemblies with 26,800 or more landings, within
100 hours time-in-service (TIS).
For MLG assemblies with between 22,000 and 26,799
landings, within 300 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates
27,200 landings, whichever occurs first.
For MLG assemblies with less than 22,000 landings, within
1,200 hours TIS or before the MLG assembly accumulates 23,200 landings,
whichever occurs first.
This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an MLG assembly on
any helicopter unless the screw has been replaced.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 111 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order
to comply with this proposed AD, based on an average labor rate of $85
per work-hour. Replacing the screws on the left and right MLG
assemblies would require about 16 work-hours and $200 for parts, for a
total cost of $1,560 per helicopter and $173,160 for the U.S. fleet.
According to Finmeccanica's service information, some of the costs
of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty
coverage by Finmeccanica. Accordingly, we have included all costs in
our cost estimate.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. "Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs," describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
"Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements." Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We 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. Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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