DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0648; Product Identifier 2017-SW-087-AD; Amendment
39-19670; AD 2019-12-15]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 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 certain
Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD
requires replacing screws installed on the left and right main landing
gear (MLG) shock absorber assembly. This AD was prompted by a report
that some screws may have been manufactured without meeting
specifications. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 2, 2019.

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.

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 final rule, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
regulatory evaluation, 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: 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:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Leonardo S.p.A.
Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on July 19, 2018 (83 FR 34072). The NPRM was prompted by a
report that some screws may have been manufactured without meeting
specifications. The NPRM proposed to require replacing screws installed
on the left and right MLG shock absorber assembly.
We are issuing this AD to address an MLG shock absorber screw that
does not meet specifications. This condition could result in failure of
the MLG shock absorber, collapse or retraction of the MLG, and
subsequent damage to the helicopter.
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016-0077, 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 (S/N). 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
S/N 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.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement
with the European Union, EASA 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 except for a minor editorial
change to meet current publishing requirements. In the Required Actions
paragraph, instances of ``Figure 1 to paragraph (a)'' have been changed
to ``Figure 1 to paragraphs (a) and (e)(2).'' This minor editorial
change is consistent with the intent of the proposals in the NPRM and
will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of this AD.

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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 111 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD, based on an average labor rate of $85 per work-
hour.
Replacing the screws on the left and right MLG assemblies requires
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 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

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.

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):