DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1207; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00925-R;
Amendment 39-22533; AD 2023-17-07]
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 A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was
prompted by a report of an electrical failure of a starter-generator
caused by a ruptured drive shaft. This AD requires visually inspecting
the drive shaft of an affected starter-generator and depending on the
results, performing a dye penetrant inspection. Depending on the
results of the dye penetrant inspection, this AD requires replacing the
starter-generator, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 1, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 1,
2023.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No.FAA-2023-1207; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information, 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material incorporated by reference in this final
rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu.
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. The EASA material is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1207.
Other Related Service Information: For Leonardo Helicopters service
information identified in this final rule, contact Leonardo S.p.A.,
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 customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/. You may
also view this service information at the FAA contact information under
Material Incorporated by Reference above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal Jensen, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone
(303) 342-1080; email hal.jensen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0148, dated July 14, 2022 (EASA
AD 2022-0148), to correct an unsafe condition for Leonardo S.p.A. Model
A119 and AW119MKII helicopters.
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 A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 9, 2023 (88 FR 37810). The NPRM was prompted
by a report of an electrical failure of a starter-generator, caused by
a ruptured drive shaft, which was not detected by the generator control
unit and caused partial loss of battery power. The NPRM proposed to
require visually inspecting the drive shaft of an affected starter-
generator and depending on the results, performing a dye penetrant
inspection. Depending on the results of the dye penetrant inspection,
the NPRM proposed to require replacing the starter-generator, as
specified in EASA AD 2022-0148. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
electrical failure of the starter-generator, which could result in
complete loss of electrical power and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.

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 of 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2022-0148 requires a one-time inspection of the drive shaft
of the affected starter-generator and, depending on findings, replacing
the affected part with a serviceable part as defined therein. EASA AD
2022-0148 also requires reporting the inspection results (including no
findings) to Leonardo and implementing improved removal and
reinstallation procedures for the starter-generator.
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 ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
119-121, dated June 21, 2022. This service information specifies
procedures for performing visual and dye penetrant inspections and for
replacing a starter-generator.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

Service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0148 does not
specify a compliance time to proceed with subsequent procedures if
there is misalignment or if the alignment is not clear, whereas this AD
requires proceeding with those subsequent procedures before further
flight.
Service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0148 specifies
contacting LH [Leonardo Helicopters] spare management to send a
starter-generator directly to an authorized repair station for repair
and sending a starter-generator directly to an authorized repair
station for repair, whereas this AD does not require those actions.
EASA AD 2022-0148 specifies reporting inspection results to
Leonardo, whereas this AD does not.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 136 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.
Visually inspecting a starter-generator drive shaft will take about
1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $11,560 for
the U.S. fleet.
If required, dye-penetrant inspecting a starter-generator drive
shaft will take about 3 work-hours for an estimated cost of $255 per
helicopter.
If required, replacing a starter-generator will take about 2 work-
hours and parts will cost about $11,500 for an estimated cost of
$11,670 per helicopter.

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: