DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0411; Product Identifier 2018-SW-061-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 certain Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A119 and AW119MKII
helicopters. This proposed AD would require repetitive borescope
inspections of the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) and depending on the
inspection results, removing the TGB from service. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of corrosion on the internal surface of the 90-
degree TGB output shaft. 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 June 23,
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-2020-0411;
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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously
European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rao Edupuganti, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Regulations and Policy Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch,
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-
5110; email rao.edupuganti@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. 2018-0156, dated July 24, 2018
(EASA AD 2018-0156) to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo
(formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., Agusta S.p.A.;
and AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, formerly Agusta Aerospace
Corporation) Model A119 and AW119MKII helicopters with 90-degree TGB
part number (P/N) 109-0440-06-101 or P/N 109-0440-06-105 having serial
number 167, 169 through 172 inclusive, 215 through 225 inclusive, 227,
230, 232, 233, AW268, K3, K16, M47, or L29, installed. EASA advises of
two reported occurrences of corrosion on the internal surface of the
90-degree TGB shaft installed on Model A119 helicopters. Further
analysis identified a specific batch of parts that may be susceptible
to similar conditions. Due to design similarity, Model AW119MKII
helicopters are also affected.

EASA states that this condition, if not detected and corrected,
could lead to failure of the tail rotor, possibly resulting in reduced
control of the helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0156 requires
performing repetitive endoscope inspections on the internal surface of
the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion and depending on the
findings, replacing the TGB. EASA further states EASA AD 2018-0156 is
considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.

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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
119-090, dated July 23, 2018, for Model A119 and AW119MKII helicopters,
which contains procedures for conducting an endoscope inspection of the
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion. This
service information also specifies replacing the TGB if corrosion is
found.

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.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require compliance with certain procedures
described in the manufacturer's service bulletin. For helicopters with
an affected 90-degree TGB output shaft installed, this proposed AD
would require within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100
hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, borescope inspecting the
internal surface of the 90-degree TGB output shaft for corrosion. If
there is corrosion, this proposed AD would require removing the TGB
from service before further flight.

Interim Action

The FAA considers this proposed AD to be an interim action. An
investigation is ongoing and if final action is later identified, the
FAA might consider further rulemaking then.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 96 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.

Borescope inspecting the 90-degree TGB output shaft would take
about 3 work-hours for an estimated cost of $255 per helicopter and
$24,480 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.

Replacing a (overhauled) TGB would take about 18 work-hours and
parts would cost about $49,000 (overhauled) for an estimated cost of
$50,530 per helicopter.

According to Leonardo's service information, 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. 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.

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):