[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24551-24553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09414]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0943; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-001-AD;
Amendment 39-17836; AD 2014-09-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Agusta 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 A109C, A109E, A109K2, and A119 helicopters. This AD requires a
recurring visual inspection of the tail rotor (T/R) blade retaining
bolts (bolts) for a crack, corrosion, damage, or missing cadmium
plating in the central part of the bolt and, depending on findings, a
liquid penetrant inspection. This AD also requires replacing a cracked
or damaged bolt. This AD was prompted by two reported incidents of
cracked bolts. The actions of this AD are intended to detect an
unairworthy bolt and prevent failure of a bolt, release of a T/R blade,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD is effective June 5, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of June 5, 2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100, 21015
Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-
664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bulletins. 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 European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) 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: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On November 20, 2013, at 78 FR 69595, 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 certain Agusta
Model A109C, A109E, A109K2, and A119 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to
require a recurring visual inspection of each bolt, part number (P/N)
109-8131-09-1, for a crack, corrosion, a nick, other damage, or missing
cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt. If a crack is not
detected by the visual inspection, the NPRM proposed to require a
liquid penetrant inspection. If there is a crack, corrosion, damage, or
missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt, the NPRM
proposed to require replacing the bolt before further flight. The NPRM
also proposed to prohibit installing certain bolts on any helicopter
unless it has passed the proposed inspections. The proposed
requirements were intended to detect an unairworthy bolt and prevent
failure of a bolt, release of a T/R blade, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2013-0009, dated January 11, 2013,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Agusta Model
A109C, A109K2, A109E, and A119 helicopters, all serial numbers. EASA
advises that cracks were reported in bolts, P/N 109-8131-09-1,
installed on a Model A109K2 and a Model A109E helicopter. EASA further
states that investigations conducted by Agusta revealed the cracks were
in the same area of the bolts and corresponded with corrosion pits.
EASA specified that this condition, if not detected and corrected,
could cause damage to, or loss of, a T/R blade, possibly resulting in
loss of control of the helicopter.
[[Page 24552]]
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 69595,
November 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.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is
later identified, we might consider additional rulemaking.
Related Service Information
AgustaWestland issued Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 109-135 for Model
A109C helicopters, BT No. 109EP-125 for Model A109E helicopters, BT No.
109K-55 for Model A109K2 helicopters, and BT No. 119-052 for Model A119
helicopters. All of the BTs are dated December 19, 2012. The BTs
specify to perform a visual inspection of bolt, P/N 109-8131-09-1, in
accordance with the maintenance manual applicable to the model
helicopter for condition, corrosion, and nicks. The BTs specify
replacement of the bolt if there is any damage, even if minor, or if
there is missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt. The
BTs state that if a crack is not revealed from the visual inspection,
then to perform a liquid penetrant inspection. The BTs further specify
repeating the visual inspection of the bolts at intervals specific to
the model helicopter. The BTs state the results of the inspections must
be communicated to AgustaWestland.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate this AD affects 132 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We
estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to
comply with this AD. We estimate it will take 2 work-hours to perform
the initial visual and liquid penetrant inspections and 1 work-hour to
perform each recurring visual inspection at an average labor cost of
$85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, it will cost about $170 to
perform the initial inspections and about $85 to perform each recurring
visual inspection. A replacement bolt will cost approximately $1,067;
no additional labor cost is expected for replacement.
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):
2014-09-01 AgustWestland S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Agusta S.p.A) (Agusta) Helicopters: Amendment 39-17836; Docket No.
FAA-2013-0943; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-001-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Agusta Model A109C, A109E, A109K2, and A119
helicopters with a tail rotor blade retaining bolt (bolt), part
number 109-8131-09-1, installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a bolt. This
condition could result in failure of a bolt, release of a tail rotor
blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective June 5, 2014.
(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
For each bolt with less than 400 hours time-in-service (TIS),
before exceeding 500 hours TIS on the bolt, and for each bolt with
400 or more hours TIS, before accumulating an additional 100 hours
TIS or 2 months on the bolt, whichever occurs first:
(1) Visually inspect each bolt for a crack, damage, corrosion, a
nick, or missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt.
(i) If there is a crack, corrosion, a nick, any other damage, or
missing cadmium plating in the central part of the bolt, before
further flight, replace the bolt with an airworthy bolt.
(ii) If there is not a crack as a result of the initial visual
inspection as required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, liquid-
penetrant inspect the bolt in accordance with Annex A of
AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 109-135, BT No. 109EP-
125, BT No. 109K-55, or BT No. 119-052, all dated December 19, 2012,
as applicable to your model helicopter. If there is a crack, before
further flight, replace the bolt with an airworthy bolt.
(2) Thereafter, for Agusta Model A109C helicopters, repeat the
required actions of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD at intervals not to
exceed 300 additional hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first.
For Agusta Model A109E, A109K2, and A119 helicopters,
[[Page 24553]]
repeat the required actions of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD at
intervals not to exceed 200 additional hours TIS or 6 months,
whichever occurs first.
(3) Do not install a bolt that has accumulated more than 400
hours TIS on any helicopter unless it has passed the required
actions of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, 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.
(g) Additional Information
The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2013-0009, dated January 11, 2013. You may view
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket
No. FAA-2013-0943.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor.
(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) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-135, December 19,
2012.
(ii) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-125, December
19, 2012.
(iii) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109K-55, December
19, 2012.
(iv) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 119-052, December 19,
2012.
(3) For AgustaWestland service information identified in this
AD, contact AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del
Gregge, 100, 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio
D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bulletins.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may 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 April 18, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-09414 Filed 4-30-14; 8:45 am]
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