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2021-05-21 LEONARDO S.P.A. (TYPE CERTIFICATE PREVIOUSLY HELD BY AGUSTA S.P.A.): Amendment 39-21464; Docket No. FAA-2020-0797; Product Identifier 2018-SW-081-AD.
(a) APPLICABILITY

    This airworthiness  directive (AD)  applies to  Leonardo S.p.a.  Model
    AB139  and AW139  helicopters, certified  in any  category, with  main
    rotor  (M/R) rotating  scissors with  a lower  half scissor  spherical
    bearing (bearing) P/N 3G6230V00654 installed.

(b) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive play of the  bearing
    in the M/R rotating scissors.  This condition could result in  failure
    of the M/R rotating scissor bearing and loss of helicopter control.

(c) AFFECTED ADS

    This  AD replaces  AD 2017-23-08,  Amendment 39-19102;  (82 FR  55752,
    November 24, 2017) (AD 2017-23-08).

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This AD becomes effective May 7, 2021.

(e) COMPLIANCE

    You are  responsible for  performing each  action required  by this AD
    within  the  specified  compliance time  unless  it  has already  been
    accomplished prior to that time.

(f) REQUIRED ACTIONS

(1) Within  5 hours  time-in-service (TIS)  after December  11, 2017  (the
    effective  date of  AD 2017-23-08),  and thereafter  before the  first
    flight  of each  day or  at intervals  not exceeding  24-clock  hours,
    whichever occurs later:

(i) Using a magnifying glass and a flashlight, visually inspect each bear-
    ing for wear of the bearing liner. Some examples of wear are shown  in
    Figures 4 through 8  of Leonardo Helicopters Alert  Bollettino Tecnico
    No. 139-392,  Revision A,  dated February  14, 2017  (BT 139-392).  If
    there is  any wear  of the  liner, before  further flight, replace the
    bearing  with bearing  P/N 3G6230V00655  and install  special nut  P/N
    3G6230A06851.  Replacing  the bearing  with  bearing P/N  3G6230V00655
    constitutes terminating action  for the remaining  actions of this  AD
    for the bearing.

(ii) Inspect each bearing for movement.  Refer to Figure 9 of BT  139-392.
     If the bearing moves freely  out of its seat, before  further flight,
     replace  the  rotating  scissor  attachment  flange  with  flange P/N
     3G6220A00633, replace the bearing  with bearing P/N 3G6230V00655  and
     install  special nut  P/N 3G6230A06851.  Replacing the  bearing  with
     bearing  P/N  3G6230V00655  constitutes  terminating  action  for the
     remaining actions of this AD for the bearing.

(iii) Inspect the M/R rotating scissors for play and wear of each bearing,
      paying particular  attention to  the bearing  staking condition,  by
      manually  moving  the  lower  half scissor  along  the  axis  of the
      spherical bearing. Refer to Figure 1 of BT 139-392. If there is  any
      play or wear beyond allowable limits, before further flight, replace
      the bearing with  bearing P/N 3G6230V00655  and install special  nut
      P/N   3G6230A06851.   Replacing  the   bearing   with  bearing   P/N
      3G6230V00655  constitutes  terminating  action  for  the   remaining
      actions of this AD for the bearing.

(2) Within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, replace  and
    torque each lower half scissor  nut with special nut P/N  3G6230A06851
    to  the  M/R  rotating  scissor  in  accordance  with  the  Compliance
    Instructions, Part II, steps 5.1 through 5.9 of BT 139-392, except you
    are not required to discard parts.

(3) Within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, remove  each
    bearing P/N  3G6230V00654 from  service and  replace with  bearing P/N
    3G230V00655.

(4) After December 11, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-23-08), do  not
    install on any helicopter any M/R rotating scissors with a bearing P/N
    3G6230V00654 installed.

(g) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)

(1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, has the author-
    ity to approve  AMOCs for this  AD, if requested  using the procedures
    found in  14 CFR  39.19. In  accordance with  14 CFR  39.19, send your
    request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District
    Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager
    of the Strategic Policy Rotorcraft  Section, send it to the  attention
    of:  Matt  Fuller,  AD  Program  Manager,  Operational  Safety Branch,
    Airworthiness Products Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft  Unit,
    10101 Hillwood  Pkwy., Fort  Worth, TX  76177; telephone 817-222-5110;
    email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.

(2) Before  using  any approved  AMOC, notify  your appropriate  principal
    inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the  local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding  district office.

(h) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

(1) For service information identified in this AD, 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.

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency
    (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 2017-0028-E,
    dated February 15, 2017. You may  view the EASA AD on the  internet at
    https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.

(i) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor System.

(j) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) The  Director of  the Federal  Register approved  the incorporation by
    reference of the service information listed in this paragraph  under 5
    U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the  actions
    required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-392, Revision A,
    dated February 14, 2017.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For service information identified in this AD, 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.

(4) You may view this service information  at the  FAA, Office of the Reg-
    ional 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.

(5) You may view this  service information that is  incorporated by refer-
    ence at the National  Archives and Records Administration  (NARA). For
    information  on  the  availability of  this  material  at NARA,  email
    fedreg.legal@nara.gov,  or  go  to:   https://www.archives.gov/federal
    -register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Issued on  February 26,  2021. Gaetano  A. Sciortino,  Deputy Director for
Strategic  Initiatives,  Compliance  &  Airworthiness  Division,  Aircraft
Certification Service.

FOR  FURTHER  INFORMATION  CONTACT:  Matt  Fuller,  AD  Program   Manager,
Operational  Safety  Branch,   Airworthiness  Products  Section,   General
Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX  76177;
telephone 817-222-5110; email Matthew.Fuller@faa.gov.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0797; Product Identifier 2018-SW-081-AD; Amendment
39-21464; AD 2021-05-21]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Agusta S.p.A.) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-23-08
for Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model AB139 and AW139
helicopters. AD 2017-23-08 required repetitively inspecting the main
rotor (M/R) rotating scissors, removing certain lower half scissor
spherical bearings (bearings) from service, replacing the removed
bearings with a new bearing, and installing a special nut. This new AD
retains the requirements of AD 2017-23-08 and requires replacing each
affected bearing with a certain part-numbered bearing. This AD was
prompted by investigation results determining that a quality control
issue may have affected the production of the affected bearings. The
actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 7, 2021.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 7, 2021.

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 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-2020-0797.

Examining the AD Docket


You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
in Docket No. FAA-2020-0797; 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 (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD,
any service information that is incorporated by reference, 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, AD Program Manager,
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General
Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email Matthew.Fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion


The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2017-23-08, Amendment 39-19102 (82 FR
55752, November 24, 2017) (AD-2017-23-08). AD 2017-23-08 applied to
Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters
with M/R rotating scissors with a bearing part number (P/N)
3G6230V00654 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
September 15, 2020 (85 FR 57165). The NPRM proposed to retain the
repetitive inspection requirements of AD 2017-23-08, and continue to
require replacing the bearing with an improved bearing, replacing the
rotating scissor attachment flange with a certain part-numbered
rotating scissor attachment flange, and replacing the nut with a
certain part-numbered special nut. The NPRM also proposed to require
removing each bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 from service and replacing it
with bearing P/N 3G6230V00655 within 100 hours time-inservice (TIS).

The NPRM was prompted by EASA Emergency AD (EAD) No. 2017-0028-E,
dated February 15, 2017 (EASA EAD 2017-0028-E) issued by EASA, which is
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to
correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139
helicopters. EASA advises that investigation results by the supplier of
the bearings determined that a quality control issue may have affected
the production of bearing P/N 3G6230V00654. Accordingly, this AD
retains the requirements of AD 2017-23-08 and requires replacing
bearing P/N 3G6230V00654 with P/N 3G6230V00655.

Comments


The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM


An individual commenter supported the NPRM.

Request for the FAA To Provide More Information

Request: One commenter requested more information about the purpose
of this new AD. The commenter stated that the AD from 2017 (AD 2017-23-
08) already removes all P/N 3G6230V00654 bearings from service.

FAA Response: The FAA disagrees that this AD is unnecessary. AD
2017-23-08 only required the replacement of the bearing if it failed an
inspection, whereas this AD requires this part-numbered bearing to be
removed from service within a certain compliance time.

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 of the 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 and that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD


The EASA AD specifies some compliance times using calendar time,
whereas this AD does not. The EASA AD requires reporting information to
Leonardo S.p.a. Product Support Engineering, whereas this AD does not.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51


The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Bollettino Tecnico No.
139-392, Revision A, dated February 14, 2017. This service information
specifies repetitively inspecting the M/R rotating scissors to monitor
the bearings and replacing the bearing with a new part-numbered
bearing. This service information also specifies installing a special
nut in case of lower scissor bearing dislodging.
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


The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters AW139 IETP Document Code AMP-
39-A-62-31-00-00A-31AC-A, Rotating control installation--Fixed
swashplate and rotating scissors--Detailed inspection, Issue 29, dated
July 31, 2017, which describes procedures for a detailed inspection of
the fixed swashplate and rotating scissors.

Costs of Compliance


The FAA estimates that this AD affects 102 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.

Inspecting for bearing liner wear, seat movement, and play takes
about 1 work-hour for a cost of $85 per helicopter and $8,670 for the
U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.

Replacing a bearing takes about 2 work-hours and parts cost about
$950 for a cost of $1,120 per bearing.

Replacing a rotating scissor attachment flange takes about 0.25
work-hours and parts cost about $25,629 for a cost of $25,650 per flange.

Installing two special nuts takes about 1 work-hour and parts cost
about $755 for a cost of $840 per helicopter and $85,680 for the U.S. fleet.

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 has 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 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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-23-08, Amendment 39-19102
(82 FR 55752, November 24, 2017); and

b. Adding the following new AD: