[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 1, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60186-60188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23578]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0640; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-016-AD;
Amendment 39-17517; AD 2013-15-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Agusta)
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta
Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires deactivating the
Full Icing Protection System (FIPS) and installing a placard next to
the FIPS controller stating that flight into known icing is prohibited.
This AD is prompted by a report of a fire in the aft avionics bay and
the baggage compartment resulting from an Auto Transformer Rectifier
Unit internal circuit overload. These actions are intended to prevent a
fire, structural damage, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 16, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 2, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office
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 (EASA) AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The
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street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.
For service information identified in this AD, contact
AgustaWestland, Customer Support & Services, Via Per Tornavento 15,
21019 Somma Lombardo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Giovanni Cecchelli; telephone
39-0331-711133; fax 39 0331 711180; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins. You may review the
referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,
Texas 76137.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the
comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may
conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2013-0124, dated June 5, 2013,
which supersedes EASA AD No. 2013-0090, dated April 11, 2013, to
correct an unsafe condition for the Agusta Model AB139 and AW139
helicopters. EASA advises of arcing inside some components of the FIPS.
EASA states that the subsequent investigation indicated that improper
insulation of one of the main rotor electrical cables was the likely
cause for this arcing. EASA also states that this condition, if not
detected and corrected, could lead to other events of arcing, possibly
resulting in fire and consequent damage to the helicopter and injury to
occupants. EASA AD No. 2013-0124 requires a one-time inspection and
insulation test of the rotor blade electrical cables, and depending on
findings, applicable corrective actions. Alternatively, EASA AD No.
2013-0124 allows de-activating the FIPS. Lastly, EASA AD No. 2013-0124
requires replacing the tail rotor distributor with an improved part.
EASA states that its AD is considered an interim action and further AD
action may follow.
FAA's Determination
These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of
Italy and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with Italy, EASA, its technical representative,
has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the EASA AD. We
are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by
EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist
or develop on other helicopters of these same type designs.
Related Service Information
Agusta issued Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-324, dated April 9, 2013
(BT 139-324), which specifies inspecting the main rotor and tail rotor
FIPS cables to ensure proper integrity of all wires of the cable
assemblies in the area of their interface connectors. Depending on the
findings, the BT also specifies applicable corrective actions.
Agusta revised BT 139-324 and issued Revision A on June 4, 2013, to
clarify certain inspection procedures of the main rotor FIPS cables,
remove the inspection of the tail rotor FIPS cables, and remove the
insulation resistance check for tail rotor blade cables. Agusta issued
Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-330, dated June 4, 2013 (BT 139-330), which
specifies replacing the FIPS tail rotor distributor with an upgraded
tail rotor distributor designed to increase the dielectric strength.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, before further flight, deactivating the FIPS and
installing a placard next to the FIPS controller stating that flight
into known icing is prohibited.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
The EASA AD requires following the BT 139-324 by inspecting the
rotor blade FIPS cables for damage and condition and performing an
insulation test on the cable to ensure proper integrity of all wires of
the cable assemblies in the area of their interface connectors. The FAA
AD prohibits operation into known icing by deactivating the FIPS and
installing a placard next to the FIPS controller stating that flight
into known icing is prohibited. The EASA AD also requires modifying the
tail rotor distributor in accordance with BT 139-330; the FAA AD does
not.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. Once a modification to
the FIPS design is evaluated, approved, and available, we might
consider additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 73 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in
order to comply with this AD. It will take about 1 work-hour to
deactivate the system and install a placard at $85 per work-hour. We
estimate the total cost for the U.S. fleet to be $6,205.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment
prior to adopting this rule because the required corrective actions
must be accomplished before further flight. A system that can
malfunction and cause a fire in an area that is not accessible while in
flight rises to the level of an unsafe condition that the comment
period should be postponed.
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice an opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and contrary to
the public interest and that good cause exists for making this
amendment effective in less than 30 days.
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
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the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,'' describes
in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are 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
We 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, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
4. 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2013-15-01 AGUSTAWESTLAND S.p.A.: Amendment 39-17517; Docket No.
FAA-2013-0640; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-016-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with a Full
Icing Protection System (FIPS) installed, certificated in any
category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as improper insulation of
an electrical cable resulting in failure of the FIPS Auto
Transformer Rectifier Unit to contain the internal circuit overload.
This condition could result in a fire, structural damage, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective October 16, 2013.
(d) 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.
(e) Required Actions
Before further flight, deactivate the FIPS, and install a
placard with 6 millimeter red letters on a white background next to
the FIPS controller that states the following:
``FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING IS PROHIBITED.''
(f) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Andy Shaw, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110;
email [email protected].
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office or
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft
complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(h) Additional Information
(1) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 139-324, Revision
A, dated June 4, 2013, and AgustaWestland BT No. 139-330, dated June
4, 2013, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional
information about the subject of this AD. For service information
identified in this AD, contact AgustaWestland, Customer Support &
Services, Via Per Tornavento 15, 21019 Somma Lombardo (VA) Italy,
ATTN: Giovanni Cecchelli; telephone 39-0331-711133; fax 39 0331
711180; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins.
You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0124, dated June 5, 2013. You may
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in
Docket No. FAA-2013-0640.
(i) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 3060 Ice
Protection.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 11, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23578 Filed 9-30-13; 8:45 am]
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