[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65161-65163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24038]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0518; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-021-AD;
Amendment 39-17607; AD 2013-20-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. (Type Certificate
Currently Held by AgustaWestland S.p.A) (Agusta) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta
Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters with a certain third stage
turbine wheel installed. This AD requires installing a placard on the
instrument panel and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft
flight manual (RFM). This AD was prompted by several incidents of third
stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive
vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations.
These actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine
speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the third
stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective December 5, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of December 5,
2013.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Agusta Westland, 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.
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 foreign authority's AD,
any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chinh Vuong, 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:
Discussion
On June 20, 2013, at 78 FR 37162, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Agusta Model A109A,
A109AII, and A109C helicopters with a third stage turbine wheel, part
number (P/N) 23065833, installed. The NPRM proposed to require
installing a placard on the instrument panel adjacent to the engine and
rotor RPM power turbine (N2) indicator and revising the Operating
Limitations sections of the Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C RFMs to
limit steady-state operations between speeds of 95% and 97%. The
proposed requirements were intended to alert pilots to avoid certain
engine speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the
third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2009-0037-E, dated February 19,
2009, issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD No. 2009-0037-E to correct an unsafe condition for Agusta
Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters with a Rolls Royce
Corporation (RRC) engine Model 250-C20B or 250-C20R/1 having a third
stage turbine wheel P/N 23065833 installed. EASA advises that following
several third stage turbine wheel failures, the engine type
[[Page 65162]]
certificate holder, RRC, issued Commercial Engine Bulletin (CEB) A-1400
Revision 3, dated January 19, 2009 (CEB A-1400), to introduce an
operational limitation on the power turbine (N2) speed range (95% to
97%) for more than 60 seconds in single or cumulative events for
engines with the third stage turbine wheel P/N 23065833, installed.
The EASA AD requires amending the RFMs and installing a placard as
described in Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-129, dated February 16,
2009 (BT 109-129). The EASA AD also states to avoid steady-state
operation in the 95% to 97% N2 range for more than 60 seconds, and
requires the corrective actions of CEB A-1400 if that limitation is
exceeded.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we did not receive any comments on the NPRM (78 FR 37162,
June 20, 2013).
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 and that air
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD requirements as
proposed.
Related Service Information
Agusta has issued BT 109-129, which contains procedures for
installing a placard on the instrument panel below or near the engine
and rotor RPM power turbine (N2) indicator and for inserting the RFM
changes into the flight manual.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 40 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Based on an average labor rate of $85 per hour, we estimate
that operators will incur the following costs in order to comply with
this AD. Amending the RFM will require about 0.25 work-hour, for a cost
per helicopter of about $22 and a cost to U.S. operators of $880.
Installing the decal will require about 0.2 work-hours, and required
parts will cost about $5, for a cost per helicopter of $22 and a cost
to U.S. operators of $880. Based on these estimates, the total cost of
this AD will be $44 per helicopter and $1,760 for the U.S. operator
fleet.
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.
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 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) 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):
2013-20-01 Agusta S.p.A. (Type Certificate Currently Held By
Agustawestland S.p.A.) (Agusta): Amendment 39-17607; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0518; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-021-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Agusta Model A109A, A109AII, and A109C
helicopters with a third stage turbine wheel, part number 23065833,
installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a third stage turbine
vibration, which could result in turbine failure, engine power loss,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 5, 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
Within 30 days:
(1) For Model A109A helicopters, revise the Power Plant
Limitations section, page 1-7, of the Model A109A Rotorcraft Flight
Manual (RFM) by inserting page 5 of Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No.
109-129, dated February 16, 2009 (BT 109-129).
(2) For Model A109AII helicopters, revise the Power Plant
Limitations section, page 1-6, of the Model A109AII RFM by inserting
page 6 of BT 109-129.
(3) For Model A109C helicopters, revise the Power Plant and
Transmission Limitations section, page 1-8, of the Model A109C RFM
by inserting page 7 of BT 109-129.
(4) Install a placard on the instrument panel adjacent to the
Engine and Rotor RPM Power Turbine (N2) Indicator that states: MIN.
CONT. 97% N2--MIN. TRANS. 95% N2.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Chinh Vuong, 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
[[Page 65163]]
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.
(g) Additional Information
(1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2009-0037-E, dated February 19, 2009.
You may view the EASA AD on the internet in the AD Docket at http://www.regulations.gov.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7250: Turbine
Section.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-129, dated February 16,
2009.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Agusta service information identified in this AD,
contact Agusta Westland, 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.
(4) You may review this service information at the FAA, Office
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
(5) You may also view this service information that is
incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 20, 2013.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-24038 Filed 10-30-13; 8:45 am]
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