DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0236; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00066-R;
Amendment 39-22754; AD 2024-10-08]
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 AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a
report of abnormal oscillatory behavior during automated glide slope
approaches, due to sealant on the glide slope (G/S) antenna coaxial
connectors. This AD requires visually inspecting certain G/S antennas
and G/S antenna coaxial connectors for the presence of any sealant;
cleaning parts and removing any sealant; performing an external G/S
acceptance test procedure (ATP); and taking corrective actions if
necessary. This AD would also prohibit installing certain G/S antennas
and G/S antenna coaxial connecters. These requirements are 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 August 13, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 13,
2024.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0236; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material, 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 Parkway, 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 at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0236.
Other Related Service Information: For Leonardo Helicopters 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; phone (+39) 0331-225074;
fax (+39) 0331-229046; or at customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781)
238-7241; email: Sungmo.D.Cho@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 all Leonardo S.p.a.
Model AW189 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
February 27, 2024 (89 FR 14417). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-
0010, dated January 20, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0010), issued by EASA, which
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union.
EASA AD 2022-0010 states an in-flight abnormal oscillatory action of an
Model AW189 helicopter was reported during automated G/S approaches.
EASA AD 2022-0010 states subsequent investigation identified sealant on
the G/S antenna coaxial connectors.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time inspection of
certain G/S antennas and G/S antenna coaxial connectors for the
presence of any sealant; cleaning parts and removing any sealant;
performing an external G/S ATP; and taking corrective actions if
necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address sealant on
or around the G/S antenna. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could lead to erratic signals from the G/S antenna, which could result
in reduced capability of the helicopter to perform safe automated
approaches. See EASA AD 2022-0010 for additional background
information.

You may examine EASA AD 2022-0010 in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0236.

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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2022-0010 requires visually inspecting G/S antenna part
number (P/N) 6208-88-62 and G/S antenna coaxial connectors P/N PE4958,
which are both parts of G/S antenna kit P/N 8G3430F00111, for any
sealant. If any sealant is found, EASA AD 2022-0010 requires removing
any sealant, and performing further inspections and corrective actions.
EASA AD 2022-0010 also requires performing an ATP and depending on
the results, replacing, and removing certain parts, and additional
tests. EASA AD 2022-0010 allows the affected G/S antenna and G/S
antenna coaxial connectors to be installed on a helicopter if certain
requirements are met.
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 also reviewed Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin
No. 189-295, dated November 29, 2021. This service information
specifies procedures for visually inspecting the G/S antenna for the
presence of sealant; removing any sealant that is detected; removing
and replacing any affected parts; performing any corrective actions if
necessary, performing an ATP, which includes verifying flight display,
decibel milliwatts, and pass/fail information; and reporting certain
information to the manufacturer.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

If any discrepancy is found during the ATP, EASA AD 2022-0010
requires replacing each affected part with a serviceable part, whereas
this AD requires removing each affected part from service and replacing
it with a serviceable part.
Service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0010 contains an
inspection report (ANNEX B), whereas this AD does not require
completing that information.

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.
Visually inspecting for sealant around the G/S antenna will take
approximately 5 work-hours for an estimated cost of $425 per helicopter
and up to $1,700 for the U.S. fleet.
If required, removing any sealant and cleaning any part will take
approximately 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of $43 per
helicopter.
Performing an ATP will take approximately 1 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and up to $340 for the U.S. fleet.
If required, removing and replacing a G/S antenna, to include
removing and replacing the connectors will take approximately 3 work-
hours and parts will cost $100,100 for an estimated cost of $100,355
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: