[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 118 (Thursday, June 19, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35033-35035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13836]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 118 / Thursday, June 19, 2014 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 35033]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0379; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-067-AD;
Amendment 39-17870; AD 2014-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta 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 AB412 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main
transmission lubricating system oil outlet hose (hose) for damage, and,
if required, replacing the hose. This AD is prompted by reports of
damage found on the hose. These actions are intended to prevent loss of
main gear box (MGB) lubrication, which could lead to failure of the MGB
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 7, 2014.
We must receive comments on this AD by August 18, 2014.
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 foreign authority's AD,
any comments received, and other information. The 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, 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-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: Tyrone Millard, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 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
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
Emergency AD No. 2013-0282-E, dated November 27, 2013, to correct an
unsafe condition for Agusta Model AB 212, AB 412, and AB 412EP
helicopters. EASA advises of two reports of oil leakage from the main
transmission lubricating system oil outlet hose, part number 70-
061L275W210A, caused by damage on the hose. EASA further states an
investigation has not determined the root cause, but that relative
movement between the data plate and the hose assembly may have been a
contributing factor. EASA advises that if not corrected, this condition
could lead to transmission lubricating system failure and reduced
control of the helicopter.
As a result, EASA Emergency AD No. 2013-0282-E requires inspecting
the portion of the hose accessible through the cargo hook opening for
damage within 10 flight hours, and every 100 flight hours thereafter,
and inspecting the portion of the hose accessible through the left side
of the pylon for damage within 35 flight hours, and every 25 flight
hours thereafter. If there is damage to the hose, EASA Emergency AD No.
2013-0282-E requires replacing the hose with a serviceable hose.
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 the same type design.
[[Page 35034]]
Related Service Information
We reviewed Agusta Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 412-137, dated
November 26, 2013. BT No. 412-137 describes procedures for repetitively
inspecting the stainless steel hose braiding beneath the hose data
plates for damage, fretting, or broken wires.
AD Requirements
This AD requires:
Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspecting the stainless steel
hose braiding for damage, fretting, and broken wires in the area below
the transmission oil sump, in the external cargo hook opening.
Within 35 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 25 hours TIS, inspecting the stainless steel hose braiding for
damage, fretting, and broken wires in the area of the transmission oil
sump behind the left side pylon access door.
If there is any damage, fretting, or any broken wires,
replacing the hose before further flight.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
This AD does not apply to Model AB 212 or AB 412EP helicopters, as
these models are not type-certificated in the U.S.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is
later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
There are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are no
helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S. Registry.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
There are no helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S.
Registry. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that we will receive any
adverse comments or useful information about this AD from U.S.
Operators.
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary because there are
none of these products on the U.S. Registry 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 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.
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):
2014-12-09 Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta): Amendment 39-17870; Docket No.
FAA-2014-0379; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-067-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Agusta Model AB412 helicopters with a
transmission oil outlet hose (hose) part number 70-061L275W210A
installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as hose failure, which
could result in loss of main gear box (MGB) lubrication, failure of
the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective July 7, 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
(1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS:
(i) If installed, remove the external cargo suspension hook. In
the cargo hook opening, underneath the transmission oil sump, slide
the data plate and clear sleeve, if installed, aside and, using a
light, inspect the stainless steel hose braiding for damage,
fretting, or a broken wire.
(ii) If the stainless steel hose braiding has any damage,
fretting, or a broken wire, before further flight, replace the hose.
(2) Within 35 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 25 hours TIS:
(i) Through the left side pylon door, using a light and a
mirror, inspect the stainless steel hose braiding for damage,
fretting, or a broken wire.
(ii) If the stainless steel hose braiding has any damage,
fretting, or a broken wire, before further flight, replace the hose.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, FAA, may approve
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Tyrone Millard, Aviation
Safety Engineer, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 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.
(g) Additional Information
(1) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 412-137, dated
November 26, 2013, which is not incorporated by reference, contains
additional information about the subject of this AD. For service
information identified in
[[Page 35035]]
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-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) Emergency AD No. 2013-0282-E, dated November
27, 2013. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0379.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320: Main Rotor
Gearbox.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 6, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-13836 Filed 6-18-14; 8:45 am]
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