DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0619; Product Identifier 2016-SW-093-AD; Amendment
39-19408; AD 2018-19-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A)
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AW189 helicopters. This AD requires
inspecting the tail gearbox (TGB) fitting for a crack. This AD was
prompted by a report of a crack on a TGB fitting that was found during
a scheduled inspection. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent
an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 26, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 26,
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Matteo Ragazzi, Head of
Airworthiness, Viale G. Agusta 520, 21017 C. Costa di Samarate (Va)
Italy; telephone +39-0331-711756; fax +39-0331-229046; or at 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. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0619.

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-2017-
0619; 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 AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On February 21, 2018, at 83 FR 7423, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to AgustaWestland S.p.A
(now Leonardo) Model AW189 helicopters with tail assembly part number
(P/N) 8G5350A00131 installed. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting
the TGB fitting for a crack. The proposed requirements were intended to
detect a crack on a TGB fitting, which could reduce the tail assembly's
ability to sustain loads from the TGB and the tail rotor and result in
loss of helicopter control.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016-0177, dated September 8, 2016,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo
(formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A. and AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW189
helicopters with a tail assembly P/N 8G5350A00131. EASA advises that a
crack was detected on the TGB fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 during a
scheduled inspection of an AW189 helicopter. EASA advises that this
condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to crack
propagation up to a critical length. This condition could reduce the
assembly's ability to sustain loads from the TGB and tail rotor,
possibly resulting to reduced helicopter control. The EASA AD
consequently requires repetitive inspections of the fitting and
replacing the fitting, depending on the inspections' outcome. EASA
considers these actions to be interim and that further AD action may
follow.
After the NPRM was published, the FAA updated AgustaWestland
S.p.A's (AgustaWestland) name to Finmeccanica S.p.A. and then to
Leonardo on its FAA type certificate. This name change is reflected in
this AD.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response.
One commenter requested that the AD also require an inspection of
the tail rotor, tail boom, and rotor mast. The commenter does not
provide any technical support for this request.
We disagree. The actions requested by the commenter are not
necessary to correct the unsafe condition. We have made no changes to
the rule portion of this AD.

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 the EASA AD. We
are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by
EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist
or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs and that air
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as
proposed.

Interim Action

We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval
holder is expected to develop a modification that will address the
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional
rulemaking.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires you to provide a compliance record and return
parts to Leonardo Helicopters if a crack is found on the fitting, and
this AD does not.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Leonardo has issued Bollettino Tecnico No. 189-114, dated September
6, 2016 (BT), which specifies inspecting the TGB fitting within 30
flight hours or 1 month from the receipt of the BT, whichever comes
first, and then at intervals not to exceed 150 flight hours. If a crack
is found, the BT requires replacing the TGB fitting.
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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S. Registry and
that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these estimates,
we expect the following costs:
Inspecting the TGB fitting requires 4 work-hours and no
parts for a cost per helicopter of $340 and $1,360 for the U.S. fleet
each inspection cycle.
Replacing the TGB fitting requires 48 work-hours and parts
cost $30,000 for a cost of $34,080 per helicopter.
According to Leonardo Helicopters' service information, some of the
costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty
coverage by Leonardo Helicopters. Accordingly, we have included all
costs in our cost estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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):