DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; Project Identifier 2018-SW-031-AD; Amendment
39-21699; AD 2021-17-16]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted
by fatigue testing and analyses. This AD requires establishing a life
limit for a certain part-numbered tail gearbox fitting. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 24, 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 this service infor-
mation 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0455; 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, the
European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety
Agency) (EASA) AD, 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: Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email kristin.bradley@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Leonardo S.p.a.
Model AW189 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
June 10, 2021 (86 FR 30822). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require
determining the total hours time-in-service (TIS) and total number of
landings of tail gearbox fitting part number (P/N) 4F5350A04152. If the
total hours TIS and total number of landings cannot be determined, the
NPRM would require removing the part from service. Also, the NPRM would
establish a life limit for tail gearbox fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 and
require removing the part from service according to the new life limit.
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2018-0087, dated April 18, 2018 (EASA
AD 2018-0087), 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. Helicopters (formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A.,
AgustaWestland S.p.A.) Model AW189 helicopters. EASA advises of
revisions resulting in Leonardo AW189 Maintenance Manual, Document 89-
A-AMPI-00-P, Chapter IV, Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 13 (89-A-
AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13), which includes new and/or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks since its original
issuance. Failure to accomplish those airworthiness limitations and
maintenance tasks could result in an unsafe condition. This condition,
if not addressed, could result in failure of a part, which could result
in loss of control of the helicopter.
Accordingly, EASA AD 2018-0087 requires accomplishing the actions
specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13 and revising the Aircraft
Maintenance Program (AMP) with the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P
ALS Issue 13.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

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 reviewed the relevant
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these helicopters. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.

Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed AW189 Air Vehicle Maintenance Planning
Information, 89-B-AMPI-00-P, Chapter 4, Issue 6, dated July 17, 2018
(89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6). 89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6 specifies
various airworthiness limitations information including retirement
lives, mandatory inspections, and certification maintenance
requirements. 89-B-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 6 is equivalent to 89-A-AMPI-00-
P ALS Issue 13.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

EASA AD 2018-0087 applies to Model AW189 helicopters, whereas this
AD applies to that model helicopter with tail gearbox fitting P/N
4F5350A04152 installed instead. EASA AD 2018-0087 requires
accomplishing the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue 13 and
revising the AMP with the actions specified in 89-A-AMPI-00-P ALS Issue
13, whereas this AD requires establishing a life limit for tail gearbox
fitting P/N 4F5350A04152 and removing that part from service accordingly instead.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 4 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.
Replacing a tail gearbox fitting takes about 48 work-hours and
parts cost about $30,000 for an estimated cost of $34,080 per
helicopter and $136,320 for the U.S. fleet, per replacement cycle.

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,
(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 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: