AD 2020-07-15

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all PZL (Sacute)widnik S.A. Model PZL W-3A helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked nose landing gear (NLG) bellcrank assembly. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the NLG bellcrank assembly for discrepancies and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule; request for comments.

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\n2020-07-15 PZL (Sacute)widnik S.A.: Amendment 39-19894; Docket No. FAA-2020-0363; Product Identifier 2018-SW-010-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD becomes effective April 29, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all PZL (Sacute)widnik S.A. Model PZL W-3A helicopters, certificated in any category. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 3200, Landing Gear System. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report of a cracked nose landing gear (NLG) bellcrank assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking of the NLG bellcrank assembly due to a manufacturing deficiency. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the NLG, possibly resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury of the occupants. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Definition \n\n\n\tFor purposes of this AD, affected NLG bellcrank assemblies have part number (P/N) 30.42.010.00.00. \n\n(h) Inspection \n\n\n\tFor helicopters having serial numbers up to 3X.10.12 inclusive: Within 5 landings after the effective date of this AD, inspect the affected NLG bellcrank assembly for discrepancies, in accordance with Chapter II, paragraph 2., of Wytw(oacute)rnia Sprz(eogon)tu Komunikacyjnego Mandatory Bulletin No. BO-37-18-292, Revision 1, dated February 5, 2018 (Bulletin BO-37-18-292). For purposes of this AD, a ''landing'' is counted any time the helicopter lifts off into the air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shut down. \n\n(i) Replacement \n\n\n\tDuring the inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD, if the NLG bellcrank assembly meets the criteria for replacement, as specified in Chapter II, paragraph 3., of Bulletin BO-37-18-292: Before further flight, replace the affected NLG bellcrank assembly and do all related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with Chapter II, paragraph 4., of Bulletin BO-37-18-292. \n\n(j) Parts Installation Limitation \n\n\n\tAs of the effective date of this AD: Do not install a bellcrank NLG assembly, P/N 30.42.010.00.00, on any helicopter unless the assembly has passed an inspection (no defects found), in accordance with paragraph (h) of this AD. \n\n(k) Credit for Previous Actions \n\n\n\tThis paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Bulletin BO-37-18-292. \n\n(l) Special Flight Permit \n\n\n\tSpecial flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed. \n\n(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your \n\n((Page 20592)) \n\nproposal to: David Hatfield, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5116; email 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(n) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) The subject of this AD is addressed in the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2018-0035-E, dated February 6, 2018; corrected March 16, 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-2020-0363. \n\t(2) For more information about this AD, contact David Hatfield, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5116; email david.hatfield@faa.gov. \n\n(o) 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) Wytw(oacute)rnia Sprz(eogon)tu Komunikacyjnego Mandatory Bulletin No. BO-37-18-292, Revision 1, dated February 5, 2018. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact PZL- (Sacute)widnik S.A., Al. Lotnik(oacute)w Polskich 1, 21-045 (Sacute)widnik, Poland; telephone (+48) 664 424 798; fax (+48) 817 225 710; internet www.pzl.swidnik.pl. \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. \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://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on April 8, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-07742 Filed 4-13-20; 8:45 am) \n\tBILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tEASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0035-E, dated February 6, 2018; corrected March 16, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ''the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all PZL-(Sacute)widnik S.A. Model PZL W-3A helicopters. The MCAI also applies to PZL-(Sacute)widnik S.A. Model PZL W-3AS helicopters, which are not type certificated in the U.S. EASA advises that cracking in a NLG bellcrank assembly, part number (P/N) 30.42.010.01.00, was due to reduced wall thickness, which resulted from a manufacturing deficiency. EASA advises that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the NLG, possibly resulting in damage to the helicopter and injury of the occupants. To address this potentially unsafe condition, EASA requires a one-time inspection of the affected NLG assembly installed on helicopters currently in service and replacement if necessary. \n\tYou may examine the MCAI on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020- 0363. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tWytw(oacute)rnia Sprz(eogon)tu Komunikacyjnego has issued Mandatory Bulletin No. BO-37-18-292, Revision 1, dated February 5, 2018. This service information describes procedures for a one-time general visual inspection of the NLG bellcrank assembly for cracks; measurement of reference dimensions or ultrasonic inspection for manufacturing defects; and bellcrank assembly replacement including related investigative actions (inspection of the NLG for hydraulic fluid contamination and free movement of the piston rod) if necessary. \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\nFAA's DeterminationThis product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD because the FAA evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. \n\nRequirements of This AD \n\n\n\tThis AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously. \n\nFAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date \n\n\n\tSection 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ''good cause,'' finds that those procedures are ''impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without seeking comment prior to the rulemaking. \n\tSince there are currently no domestic operators of this product, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). In addition, for the reason stated above, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. \n\nRegulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) \n\n\n\tThe requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required. \n\nComments Invited \n\n\n\tThis AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and the FAA did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ''Docket No. FAA-2020-0363; Product Identifier 2018-SW-010-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on those comments. \n\tThe FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this AD. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tCurrently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates to comply with this AD: \n\n((Page 20591)) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\tEstimated Costs for Required Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per \n\tLabor cost Parts cost product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255............................................ $0 $255 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on- condition action that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this on-condition action: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs of On-Condition Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per \n\tLabor cost Parts cost product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425............................................ $5,000 $5,425 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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 aircommerce 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\tThe FAA 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t1. Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; and \n\t2. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.