[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76381-76383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30973]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-3783; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-027-AD;
Amendment 39-18342; AD 2015-25-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. 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
S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109A and A109A II helicopters. This AD requires
inspecting the slider assembly pitch control (slider) for play and
replacing the slider if the play exceeds certain limits. This AD is
prompted by a report of excessive slider play and wear that was
detected during a scheduled inspection of a Model A109A II helicopter.
These actions are intended to detect and prevent excessive wear and
play on a slider, which could lead to loss of tail rotor pitch control
and consequently loss of helicopter control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 24, 2015.
We must receive comments on this AD by February 8, 2016.
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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3783; 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
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-bulletins. You may review the referenced service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 6N-
321, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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. 2015-0097, dated June 1, 2015,
to correct an unsafe condition for Agusta Model A109A and A109A II
helicopters. EASA advises that during a scheduled 100-flight-hour
inspection on a Model A109A II helicopter, unusual play was detected on
a part number (P/N) 109-0130-11-7 slider. Further investigation
revealed excessive wear of the slider broaching at the point of contact
with the tail rotor shaft. However, the cause of the excessive play and
wear has not been determined.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
reduced control of the helicopter, EASA advises. EASA consequently
requires repetitive inspections of slider P/N 109-0130-11-7 more
frequently than those performed at the 100-flight-hour inspection and
corrective actions depending on the findings. EASA advises that its AD
is an interim measure and further AD action may follow.
[[Page 76382]]
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
We reviewed AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-149, dated
May 29, 2015, for Model A109A and A109A II helicopters. The bulletin
states that during a 100-flight-hour inspection of a Model A109A II
helicopter, ``anomalous'' play was found on a P/N 109-0130-11-7 slider.
After the slider was removed and inspected, extended, unusual wear of
the broaching in the point of contact with the tail rotor shaft was
found. Agusta states that the investigation is ongoing, but as a
precautionary measure it is reducing the slider inspection intervals
from 100 flight hours to 25 flight hours.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS, inspecting the
slider for play. If there is any play that exceeds 2.3 millimeters
(0.09 inch), this AD requires replacing the slider with an airworthy
slider before further flight.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval
holder has not determined the cause of the unsafe condition identified
in this AD. If a cause is determined and actions developed to address
the cause, we might consider additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 36 helicopters of U.S.
Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these
estimates, we expect the following costs:
Inspecting the slider for play requires 1 work-hour for a
labor cost of $85 per helicopter and $3060 for the U.S. fleet.
Replacing the slider requires 10 work-hours and $4068 in
parts for a total cost of $4918 per helicopter.
According to Agusta's service information, some of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage by Agusta.
Accordingly, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
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 the adoption of this rule because the unsafe condition can
adversely affect control of the helicopter and the required corrective
actions must be accomplished within 25 hours TIS. These helicopters
have a variety of uses, including search-and-rescue and medical
flights, and are expected to accumulate 25 hours TIS within a few
weeks.
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 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 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):
2015-25-04 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-18342; Docket No. FAA-2015-
3783; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-027-AD.
(a) Applicability
This AD applies to Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109A and A109A
II helicopters with a slider assembly pitch control (slider) part
number 109-0130-11-7 installed, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition
This AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive wear and play
on a slider. This condition could result in loss of tail rotor pitch
control and consequently loss of helicopter control.
(c) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective December 24, 2015.
(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 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 25 hours
[[Page 76383]]
TIS, inspect the slider for play. If there is play greater than 2.3
millimeters (0.09 inch), replace the slider with an airworthy slider
before further flight.
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; 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. 109-149, dated May 29,
2015, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional
information about the subject of this AD. 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 a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 6N-321, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0097, dated June 1, 2015. You may
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-3783.
(h) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor
Control System.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 2, 2015.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-30973 Filed 12-8-15; 8:45 am]
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