DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0460; Product Identifier 2018-SW-078-AD; Amendment
39-21252; AD 2020-19-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW169 helicopters and certain Leonardo S.p.A
Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a broken
extrusion rubber window seal. This AD requires installation of a
reinforcement around the rubber filler wedge where the extrusion rubber
window seal meets the door's emergency exit handle. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 27, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 27,
2020.

ADDRESSES: For 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. You may view this service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 817-222-5110.

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-
0460; 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, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety
Engineer, International Validation Branch, General Aviation &
Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone 817-222-5110; email kristin.bradley@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Leonardo S.p.A.
Model AW169 helicopters and certain Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW189
helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2020
(85 FR 34139). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a broken extrusion
rubber window seal, part number (P/N) A417AF001WB. The NPRM proposed to
require installation of a reinforcement around the rubber filler wedge
where the extrusion rubber window seal meets the door's emergency exit
handle. The FAA is issuing this AD to address broken extrusion rubber
window seals, which could result in an excessive load required to
release the emergency exit window, possibly resulting in delayed
evacuation of helicopter occupants during an emergency.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation
Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union, issued EASA AD 2018-0197, dated September
5, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW169 helicopters and certain
Leonardo S.p.A. Model AW189 helicopters. EASA advises of a broken
extrusion rubber window seal, P/N A417AF001WB. According to EASA, an
investigation determined that the damage to the rubber filler wedge of
the rubber window seal could have been caused by the excessive tension
of the string applied during the installation of an affected emergency
exit handle. EASA advises that this condition, if not corrected, could
result in an excessive load to release the emergency exit window,
possibly resulting in delayed evacuation of helicopter occupants during
an emergency. EASA states that, due to design similarities, the same
unsafe condition could exist or develop
on certain Model AW189 helicopters. To correct this condition, EASA AD
2018-0197 requires installation of a reinforcement around the rubber
filler wedge where the extrusion rubber window seal meets the door's
emergency exit handle. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2020-0460.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed,
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these
minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Leonardo Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin 169-094,
Revision A, dated August 13, 2018; and Alert Service Bulletin 189-170,
dated July 25, 2018. This service information describes procedures for
installation of a reinforcement around the rubber filler wedge where
the extrusion rubber window seal meets the door's emergency exit
handle. These documents are distinct since they apply to different
aircraft models. 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 10 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

According to the manufacturer, some or all 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 for
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known 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 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):