[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15753-15754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8464]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-63-AD; Amendment 39-10430; AD 98-07-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model AB 412 Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB 412 helicopters. This
action requires an inspection of the tail rotor blades for debond voids
and replacement, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by the loss
of a tail rotor blade tip on a tail rotor blade while the helicopter
was in service. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
increased vibration levels, damage to the tail rotor drive system or
tail rotor assembly, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective April 16, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 16, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before June 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-SW-63-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Agusta S.p.A., 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Via Giovanni
Agusta 520, telephone (0331) 229111, fax (0331) 229605-222595. This
information may be examined at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Shep Blackman, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5296, fax (817)
222-5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (RAI),
which is the airworthiness authority for Italy, recently notified the
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Agusta Model AB 412
helicopters with tail rotor blades, part number (P/N) 212-010-750-105,
serial number A5-(all numbers). The RAI advises that debond voids can
result in loss of the tip cap closure block, P/N 209-010-719-3, from
the blade, causing a severely out-of-balance tail rotor assembly,
increased helicopter vibration levels, damage to the tail rotor drive
system or tail rotor assembly, and subsequent loss of control of the
helicopter.
Agusta has issued Agusta Bollettino Tecnico (Technical Bulletin)
No. 412-66, dated June 27, 1997, which specifies an inspection of the
tail rotor blades for debond voids between the tip cap and blade spar/
skin. The RAI classified this Technical Bulletin as mandatory and
issued AD 97-194, dated July 9, 1997, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these helicopters in Italy.
This helicopter model is manufactured in Italy and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the RAI has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
RAI, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
This AD is being issued to prevent increased vibration levels,
damage to the tail rotor drive system or tail rotor assembly, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. This AD requires an
inspection of the tail rotor blades for debond voids and replacement,
if necessary. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance
with the technical bulletin described previously.
None of the Agusta Model AB 412 helicopters affected by this action
are on the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in the applicability
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these
subject helicopters are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S.
register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour per
helicopter for the inspection and 4 work hours for the replacement, if
necessary, of a tail rotor blade. The average labor rate is $60 per
work hour. Required blades, if needed, would cost $7,922 per blade.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD, should a helicopter
be placed on the U.S. Register, would be $8,222 per helicopter,
assuming an inspection and replacement of a tail rotor blade are
accomplished.
Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is
currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are
[[Page 15754]]
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may
desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-SW-63-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that notice and prior public comment are
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation and therefore, it can be
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States,
and that it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves
an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this
emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness
directive to read as follows:
AD 98-07-10 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-10430. Docket No. 97-SW-63-
AD.
Applicability: Agusta Model AB 412 helicopters with tail rotor
blades, part number (P/N) 212-010-750-105, serial number (S/N) A5-
(all numbers), installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any helicopter from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required within 10 hours time-in-service, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent increased vibration levels, damage to the tail rotor
drive system or tail rotor assembly, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect tail rotor blades for debond voids in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Agusta Bollettino Tecnico
(Technical Bulletin) No. 412-66, dated June 27, 1997 (hereafter
referred to as ``Technical Bulletin'').
(1) If a debond void is detected which does not exceed the
limits prescribed in paragraph 3 of the Technical Bulletin, repair
the tail rotor blade (blade) or replace it with an airworthy blade.
(2) If a debond void exceeds the limits prescribed in paragraph
3 of the Technical Bulletin, replace the blade with an airworthy
blade.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff,
Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests
through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or
comment and then send it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(c) Special flight permits will not be issued.
(d) The inspection shall be done in accordance with Agusta
Technical Bulletin No. 412-66, dated June 27, 1997. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Agusta S.p.A., 21017 Cascina Costa
di Samarate (VA), Via Giovanni Agusta 520, telephone (0331) 229111,
fax (0331) 229605-222595. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room
663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 16, 1998.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Registro
Aeronautico Italiano (Italy) AD 97-194, dated July 9, 1997.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 24, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8464 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
