DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0390; Product Identifier 2018-SW-096-AD; Amendment
39-19901; AD 2020-07-22]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; PZL Swidnik S.A. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PZL
Swidnik S.A. (PZL) Model PZL W-3A helicopters. This AD requires
inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) bolts and washers to determine if
they are properly locked and, depending on the inspection outcome,
removing the engine, removing certain bolts from
service, and performing more in-depth inspections; and depending on the
outcome of those inspections, replacing the graphite seal assembly or
removing it from service. Finally, this AD prohibits installing any
affected MGB on a helicopter unless it has met the requirements of this
AD. This AD was prompted by reports that the bolts securing the input
quill and graphite seal assembly of the MGB were not properly locked.
The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on
these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 5, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of May 5, 2020.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 19, 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-
0390; 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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously European
Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any incorporated by reference
service information, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact WSK
``PZL- Swidnik'' S.A., Al. Lotnikow Polskich 1, 21-045
Swidnik, Poland, telephone +48 664 424 798, or at
www.pzl.swidnik.pl. 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. It is also available
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0390.

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

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. 2018-0238, dated November 6,
2018 (EASA AD 2018-0238), to correct an unsafe condition for
Wytwornia SprzEtu Komunikacyjnego ``PZL-Swidnik''
Spo[lstrok]ka Akcyjna (WSK ``PZL-SWIDNIK'' S.A.) Model
PZL W-3A and PZL W-3AS helicopters.
EASA advises of occurrences of improperly locked bolts, which
secure the input quill cover and graphite seal assembly of the WR-3
MGB. The bolts are locked in place through the use of locking tabs on
the washer part number (P/N) 89.06.0387. According to EASA, a
subsequent investigation determined that the root cause of this event
was improper assembly of the MGB during manufacturing or overhaul. EASA
stated this condition could lead to disconnection of the engines to the
MGB mechanical link, possibly resulting in loss of helicopter control.

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 the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

WYTWoRNIA SPRZETU KOMUNIKACYJNEGO ``PZL-
Swidnik'' Spolka Akcyjna has issued Mandatory Bulletin
No. BO-37-18-289, dated October 23, 2018, which specifies using a
fiberscope to inspect for improperly locked bolts that secure the input
quill cover and graphite seal assembly of WR-3 MGBs. This service
information also specifies reporting certain information to PZL and
Pratt & Whitney Rzeszow S.A., removing the engine for more in-
depth inspection of the bolts for signs of rubbing and deformation,
inspecting the bolts for proper torque, removing the input drive quill
seals, and inspecting the graphite seal assembly.
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.

AD Requirements

This AD requires, within 25 hours time-in-service, for all PZL
Model PZL W-3A helicopters that have a WR-3 MGB serial number up to and
including 316463007M installed, inspecting each bolt P/N 89.00.0049 for
proper locking using a fiberscope. Depending on the inspection outcome,
this AD requires removing the engine and inspecting each bolt head for
signs of rubbing and deformation, inspecting each bolt for proper
torque, removing the left-hand and right-hand input drive quill seals,
and inspecting each graphite seal assembly. This AD requires removing
from service any bolt with signs of rubbing or deformation on its bolt
head. If necessary, this AD requires replacing the graphite seal
assembly or removing it from service. This AD also prohibits installing
affected MGBs that have not been inspected for improperly locked bolts.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD applies to Model PZL W-3AS helicopters, whereas this AD
does not because that model is not FAA type-certificated. The EASA AD
requires reporting certain information to PZL and Pratt & Whitney
Rzeszow S.A., whereas this AD does not.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

There are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are no
helicopters of this type certificate on the U.S. Registry.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (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.
There are no helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S.
Registry. Therefore, notice and opportunity for prior public comment
are unnecessary pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the
reasons 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 helicopters 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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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):