AD 2020-15-18

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded deployment of the emergency flotation system (EFS) due to improper accomplishment of the reset procedure of the shape memory alloy (SMA) inflation system actuation device. This AD requires removal of affected SMA inflation systems and installation of serviceable SMA inflation systems. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2020-15-18 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-21181; Docket No. FAA-2020- 0215; Product Identifier 2018-SW-088-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective September 3, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to the Leonardo S.p.A. helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any category. \n\t(1) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with an emergency flotation system (EFS) float assembly having part number (P/N) 3G9560V00332, 3G9560V00432, 3G9560V01432, or 3G9560V01532. \n\t(2) Model AW169 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with an EFS float assembly having any part number. \n\t(3) Model AW189 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with an EFS float assembly having P/N 8G9560V00331 or 8G9560V00431. \n\n((Page 45775)) \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 3212, Emergency Flotation Section. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded deployment of the EFS due to improper accomplishment of the reset procedure of the shape memory alloy (SMA) inflation system actuation device. The FAA is issuing this AD to address uncommanded EFS deployment, which could result in reduced control of the helicopter. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Definitions \n\n\n\t(1) An ''affected part'' is an SMA inflation system having P/N 3G9560V01052 (Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters), P/N 6F9560V00551 (Model AW169 helicopters), or P/N 8G9560V01751 (Model AW189 helicopters), as applicable, with a serial number specified in Figure 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD except those which have been corrected in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 139-533, dated August 30, 2018 (ASB-139-153); Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 169-099, dated August 30, 2018 (ASB 169-099); or Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 189-195, dated August 30, 2018 (ASB 189-195); as applicable. (GRAPHIC) (TIFF OMITTED) TR30JY20.000 \n\n\n\t(2) A ''serviceable part'' is an affected part that has been corrected in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 139-533; ASB 169-099; or ASB 189-195; as applicable; or a part that is not affected. \n\n(h) Removal and Installation \n\n\n\tAt the applicable compliance time specified in Figure 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD, remove each affected part from the helicopter and install a serviceable part. This may be done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB 139-533; ASB 169-099; or ASB 189-195; as applicable. (GRAPHIC) (TIFF OMITTED) TR30JY20.001 \n\nBILLING CODE 4910-13-C \n\n(i) Parts Installation Prohibition \n\n\n\tAs of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an affected part on any helicopter. \n\n(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Kristi Bradley, Aerospace Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222- 5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. \n\t(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, 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. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0208, dated September 20, 2018. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0215. \n\t(2) For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5485; email Kristin.Bradley@faa.gov. \n\n(l) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(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. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-533, dated August 30, 2018. \n\t(ii) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 169-099, dated August 30, 2018. \n\t(iii) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 189-195, dated August 30, 2018. \n\t(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. \n\t(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, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https:// \n\n((Page 45776)) \n\nwww.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on July 16, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-16408 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Leonardo Model AB139, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2020 (85 FR 20618). The NPRM was prompted by reports of uncommanded deployment of \n\n((Page 45774)) \n\nthe EFS due to improper accomplishment of the reset procedure of the SMA inflation system actuation device. The NPRM proposed to require removal of affected SMA inflation systems and installation of serviceable SMA inflation systems. The FAA is issuing this AD to address uncommanded EFS deployment, which could result in reduced control of the helicopter. \n\tThe European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0208, dated September 20, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ''the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Leonardo Model AB139, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0215. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. After the NPRM was published, the FAA received a comment from one commenter. However, the comment addressed neither the proposed actions nor the determination of the cost to the public. Therefore, the FAA has made no changes based on this comment. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tLeonardo Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 139-533, dated August 30, 2018; ASB No. 169-099, dated August 30, 2018; and ASB No. 189-195, dated August 30, 2018. This service information describes procedures for removal of affected SMA inflation systems and installation of serviceable SMA inflation systems (including correcting the SMA inflation system by performing a reset procedure). These documents are distinct since they apply to different helicopter models. \n\tThis service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 138 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply withthis AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs for Required Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tParts \n\tLabor cost cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up to 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up $* Up to $595 *............. Up to $82,110.* \n\tto $595. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA to provide parts cost estimates for the\n\n\tactions specified in this AD. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tThe FAA is 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify thatthis AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(3) 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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.