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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0813; Product Identifier 2019-SW-006-AD; Amendment
39-19787; AD 2019-22-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW169 and AW189 helicopters. This AD requires
inspecting certain part-numbered and serial-numbered tail rotor (T/R)
actuators, reporting information, and depending on the inspection
outcome, marking a part, performing an additional inspection, and
removing the T/R actuator from service. This AD also prohibits the
installation of affected T/R actuators. This AD is prompted by reports
of incorrect installations of the T/R actuator back-end input lever.
The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 7, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of January 7,
2020.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by February 21, 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-
0813; 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 listed above. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
For Leonardo Helicopters service information identified in this
final 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.
For UTC Aerospace Systems service information identified in this
final rule, contact Collins Aerospace (previously UTC Aerospace
Systems); telephone 1-877-808-7575; fax 1-860-660-0372; email
tech.solutions@hs.utc.com; or at https://utcaerospacesystems.com/aftermarket-services/technical-support/.
You may view 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
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2019-0813.
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
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and the FAA did not provide you with notice and an opportunity
to provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, 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
resulted from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the AD, 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 them 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 rulemaking during the
comment period. The FAA will consider all the comments received and may
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2019-0019, dated January 30,
2019 (EASA AD 2019-0019) to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo
S.p.A. (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model
AW169 and AW189 helicopters with T/R actuator part number (P/N)
6F6730V00331 and a serial number (S/N) up to 489 inclusive, except
those marked with ``SB 67-0007,'' installed. EASA advises of reports of
non-conformities of the T/R actuator back-end input lever, indicating
incorrect orientation of the lever with its trunnion locking pin.
EASA states this condition could lead to de-bonding and slippage of
one of the two redundant lever bearings and possibly affect the
functionality of the T/R actuator. A batch of T/R actuators was
identified that may be also affected. Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0019
requires one-time conformity checks of certain T/R actuator input
levers, sending information and photos to Leonardo S.p.A., and
depending on inspection findings, marking a part, inspecting the
bonding of each bearing, and replacing the T/R actuator. EASA AD 2019-
0019 also prohibits installation of the affected parts.
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 after
evaluating all information provided by EASA and determining the unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters
of these same type designs.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
UTC Aerospace Systems (Collins Aerospace) has issued Service
Bulletin 67-0007, Basic Issue, dated January 17, 2019 (SB 67-0007). SB
67-0007 specifies verifying that the width of the bearing circular
collar of the input lever is within the allowable limits of 4 0.3 mm,
and
checking the input lever pin head, and the nut and
cotter pin of the intermediate bolt for proper installation. Depending
on the inspection results, SB 67-0007 specifies replacing the T/R
actuator, or marking the input lever and sending its completed
registration form and photos of each side of the input lever to
Leonardo Helicopters. SB 67-0007 is incorporated by reference in this
AD.
SB 67-0007 is attached as Annex A to Leonardo Helicopters Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 169-129, dated January 30, 2019 (ASB 169-
129), for Model AW169 helicopters, and Leonardo Helicopters ASB No.
189-220, dated January 30, 2019 (ASB 189-220), for Model AW189
helicopters. ASB 169-129 and ASB 189-220 are not incorporated by
reference in this AD.
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.
Other Related Service Information
Leonardo Helicopters has issued ASB 169-129 and ASB 189-220. This
service information refers to SB 67-0007 for instructions to inspect
certain part-numbered and serial-numbered T/R actuator input lever
assemblies. Depending on findings, this service information specifies
marking the input lever, inspecting the bonding of each bearing, and
replacing the T/R actuator on a specified compliance time schedule
based on findings. This service information also specifies sending
information, photos, and certain T/R actuators to Leonardo Helicopters.
AD Requirements
For Model AW169 and AW189 helicopters with a T/R actuator P/N
6F6730V00331 and an S/N up to 489 inclusive, except those marked with
``SB 67-0007,'' installed, this AD requires inspecting the T/R actuator
input lever assembly by determining if the width of the bearing
circular collar of the input lever is within allowable limits, and
inspecting for proper installation of the pin and of the intermediate
bolt's nut and cotter pin. This AD requires reporting certain
information and photos to Leonardo S.p.A. Based on the inspection
outcome, this AD requires marking ``SB 67-0007'' on the input lever,
inspecting each bearing for correct bonding, and removing the T/R
actuator from service at different compliance times. This AD also
prohibits installation of affected T/R actuators.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires returning a removed T/R actuator to Leonardo
Helicopters, whereas this AD does not. Depending on the inspection
results of the T/R actuator input lever assembly, one of the compliance
times to replace the T/R actuator in the EASA AD is 200 hours TIS or 2
months, whichever occurs first. This AD requires removing the T/R
actuator from service within 60 hours TIS for the same inspection
results instead.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 10 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs in order to comply
with this AD.
Inspecting the T/R actuator input lever assembly takes about 1
work-hour, and reporting information and photos to Leonardo S.p.A.
takes about 1 work-hour, for an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter
and $1,700 for the U.S. fleet. Marking a part takes a minimal amount of
time for a nominal cost. Replacing a T/R actuator takes about 6 work-
hours and parts cost about $20,000, for an estimated cost of $20,510
per helicopter.
According to Leonardo Helicopter'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 Helicopters. Accordingly, the FAA has included all
costs in the cost estimate.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection
of
information. All responses to this collection of information are
mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for
reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer,
Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX
76177-1524.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5
U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the
rulemaking.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies foregoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the initial inspection requirements must be completed within 30
hours time-in-service. Therefore notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable and contrary to public interest
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the reason stated
above, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)
for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
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 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, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866, and
2. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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.
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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