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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0008; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00882-R;
Amendment 39-21985; AD 2022-06-19]
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 all
Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by
reports of corrosion inside the hoist support assembly (boom assembly)
(affected part) that affects both the huck bolt heads (blind bolt
fasteners) and the support surface. This AD requires repetitive
inspections of the external and internal surfaces of each affected part
for cracking and corrosion and, depending on the findings,
accomplishment of corrective actions, as specified in a European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 11, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 11,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in
this
final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne,
Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material 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. It is also available
in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0008.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0008; 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
EASA AD, any comments received, and other information. The 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer,
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance
&
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email andrea.jimenez@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0179, dated July 27, 2021 (EASA
AD 2021-0179), to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A.
Helicopters, formerly Finmeccanica S.p.A., AgustaWestland S.p.A., and
Agusta S.p.A., Model AW109SP helicopters, all serial numbers.
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 AW109SP helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on January 21, 2022 (87 FR 3241). The NPRM was prompted by reports of
corrosion inside the hoist support assembly affecting both the huck
bolt heads and the support surface. Investigation of the root cause for
the corrosion is ongoing. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive
inspections of the external and internal surfaces of each affected part
for cracking and corrosion and, depending on the findings,
accomplishment of corrective actions, as specified in EASA AD 2021-
0179.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion on the hoist
support assembly. This condition, if not addressed, could affect the
structural integrity of the hoist support assembly, leading to in-
flight detachment of the hoist support and consequent damage to the
helicopter, and injury to hoisted persons. See EASA AD 2021-0179 for
additional background information.
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. Except for minor editorial changes,
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0179 requires repetitive inspections of the external
and internal surfaces of each affected part for cracking and corrosion
and, depending on the findings, accomplishment of corrective actions.
If there is no evidence of corrosion on the interior surface of the
boom torque tube or on the huck bolt heads, the corrective actions
include spraying the interior surface with corrosion preventative
compound around the hulk bolt heads from the forward and aft ends of
the boom torque tube, and installing new tube plugs on both ends of the
boom torque tube. If there is superficial corrosion on the interior
surface of the boom torque tube or on the hulk bolt heads, the
corrective actions include cleaning the corrosion, spraying the
interior surface with corrosion preventative compound, and installing
new tube plugs on both ends of the boom torque tube. If corrosion is
found that is not superficial corrosion, the corrective action is
repair or replacement of the boom torque tube.
If cracking is observed on the external surface of the hoist
support assembly the corrective action is replacement of the hoist
support assembly. If only corrosion is found on the external surface of
the hoist support assembly the corrective actions include cleaning the
hoist support assembly.
EASA AD 2021-0179 also allows installing an affected part, provided
certain instructions are followed.
This material 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.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action
is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 40 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
| Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Cost on U.S. operators |
| Inspecting |
0.50 work-hour x $85 per hour
= $42.50 per inspection cycle |
$0 |
$42.50 per inspection cycle |
$1,700 per inspection cycle |
| Installing new boom torque tube
plugs |
0.25 work-hour x $85 per hour
= $21.25 |
5,044 |
$5,065.25 |
$202,610 |
The FAA estimates the following costs
to do any necessary
replacements that are required based on the results of the inspection.
The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might
need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
| Cleaning boom torque tube interior
or exterior |
0.25 work-hour x $85 per hour
= $21.25 |
$0
|
$21.25
|
| Replacing boom torque tube |
6 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$510 |
39,500
|
40,010
|
| Replacing hoist support assembly |
6.50 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $552.50 |
44,864
|
45,416.50
|
The FAA has received no definitive
data on which to base the cost
estimates for the repairs specified in this AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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.
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:
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