DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1003; Product Identifier 2018-SW-086-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and
AW119MKII helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing certain
main rotor (M/R) floating ring assemblies from service. This proposed
AD would also prohibit replacing any washer on any M/R floating ring
assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a washer
debonding from the M/R floating ring assembly. 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 February 7, 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-2019-
1003; 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 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 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: Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer,
Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email
kristin.bradley@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.

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. 2018-0205, dated September 14,
2018, to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly
Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.; and
AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace
Corporation) Model A109E, A109S, A119, A109LUH, AW109SP, and AW119MKII
helicopters with certain part-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies
installed. EASA advises of a report of a washer part number (P/N) 109-
0111-23-101 that debonded from the M/R floating ring assembly on a
Model A109E helicopter. Investigation results revealed that the M/R
floating ring assembly had been improperly repaired, and identified a
batch of M/R floating ring assemblies that could also be affected. Due
to design similarity, some of those M/R floating ring assemblies may be
installed on other A109/A119 helicopter models.

EASA further advises that this condition, if not detected and
corrected, could lead to failure of an affected M/R floating ring
assembly and significant increase of the pilot workload, possibly
resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. Accordingly, the EASA
AD requires inspecting the M/R floating ring assembly to identify its
serial number (S/N), and depending on findings, replacing affected
serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies. The EASA AD also
prohibits installing those serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies
on any helicopter and prohibits replacing washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on
an M/R floating ring assembly installed on a helicopter.

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 likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of
the same type designs.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
No. 109EP-163 for Model A109E helicopters; ASB No. 109S-084 for Model
A109S helicopters; ASB No.109SP-125 for Model AW109SP helicopters; and
ASB No. 119-092 for Model A119 and AW119MKll helicopters, all Revision
A and dated September 13, 2018. This service information contains
procedures to identify the S/N of the M/R floating ring assembly and
provides instructions for replacing the floating ring assembly if
necessary. This service information also specifies replacing certain
serial-numbered M/R floating ring assemblies and reporting certain
information to Leonardo Helicopters.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require removing from service any M/R
floating ring assembly P/N 109-0111-09-101 or P/N 109-0111-09-103 with
S/N DA53295148-1, F86782, G130924, J31213, L99, L104, L107, L117, L127,
L130, M215, P411, R687, R735, R769, R772, or V71, installed on Model
A109E, A109S, A119, AW109SP, and AW119MKII helicopters. This proposed
AD would also prohibit installing those M/R floating ring assemblies on
any helicopter. Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit replacing any
washer P/N 109-0111-23-101 on any M/R floating ring assembly installed
on any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD applies to Model A109LUH helicopters, whereas this AD
does not because that model is not FAA type-certified.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 210 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.

Inspecting the M/R floating ring assembly would take about 1 work-
hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $17,850 for the
U.S. fleet. Replacing an M/R floating ring assembly would take about 8
work-hours and parts would cost about $5,500 for an estimated cost of
$6,180 per floating ring assembly.

According to Leonardo Helicopters, 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 Helicopters. 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.

The FAA 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):