DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0057; Product Identifier 2017-SW-119-AD; Amendment
39-19729; AD 2019-18-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AW169 helicopters. This AD
requires replacing the seals, filler wedges, and handles of each
emergency exit window. This AD was prompted by a report that a high
level of pushing force was required to jettison some windows. The
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 16, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of October 16,
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 a copy of 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.regualtions.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0057.
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-
0057; 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 service
information that is incorporated by reference, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street 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: 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 September 13, 2018, at 83 FR 46424, the Federal Register
published the FAA's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which
proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to
Leonardo Model AW169 helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 69007, 69009,
69011 to 69019 inclusive, 69021 to 69024 inclusive, 69027, 69032,
69033, 69041, 69045, and 69051. The NPRM proposed to require, within 70
hours time-in-service (TIS), replacing the seals and filler wedges on
various cockpit and passenger windows and replacing certain internal
and external window straps. The NPRM also proposed to require replacing
decals on certain internal and external passenger and cockpit windows.
The proposed requirements were intended to ensure the jettisoning of
helicopter emergency exit windows, possibly affecting the evacuation of
occupants after an emergency landing.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2017-0155, dated August 23, 2017,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo Model
AW169 helicopters, S/N 69007, 69009, 69011 to 69019 inclusive, 69021 to
69024 inclusive, 69027, 69032, 69033, 69041, 69045, and 69051. EASA
advises that during scheduled replacement of emergency exit window
seals on in-service Model AW189 helicopters, an ``excessively high''
level of pushing force was required to jettison some windows. Further
investigation determined that the affected windows were incorrectly
installed during manufacturing. The installation did not conform to the
approved drawings during the first installation in the production line.
According to EASA, due to the similarity in the manufacturing process,
incorrect window installation may have occurred on Model AW169
helicopters.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this AD, but 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 the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD
because the FAA evaluated all information provided by EASA and
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other helicopters of the same type designs and that air
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as
proposed.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Leonardo Service Bulletin No. 169-032, Revision A,
dated September 8, 2017, which specifies replacing the seals, the non-
metallic channels, handles, and decals on the cockpit doors and cabin
emergency exit windows. 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.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires that the corrective actions occur within 70
hours TIS or 6 months. This AD requires that
the corrective actions occur within 70 hours TIS.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1 helicopter of U.S.
Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these
estimates, the FAA expects that 24 work-hours are needed to replace the
decal, seal, filler wedges, and handle of each emergency exit window
installed in cockpit doors and the cabin. Parts cost $1,500 for a total
cost of $3,540 for this helicopter.
According to Leonardo's service information some of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage by
Leonardo. Accordingly, the FAA has included all costs in this 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This 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 above, I certify 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.
The FAA 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):
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