[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34798-34800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16612]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-SW-65-AD; Amendment 39-10619; AD 98-13-28]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model A109C and A109K2
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 A109C and A109K2
helicopters. This action requires a one-time inspection of each tail
rotor blade (blade) for debonding, and if debonding exists which
exceeds certain limits,
[[Page 34799]]
replacement of the blade with an airworthy blade. This amendment is
prompted by two incidents in which helicopters lost a blade tip fairing
during ground run-up. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent loss of the tip fairing on a blade, which could result in
increased vibrations, loss of the tail rotor assembly, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective July 13, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 25, 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-65-AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,
Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
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 A109C and A109K2
helicopters. The RAI advises that a number of blades may have been
incorrectly manufactured.
These helicopter models are manufactured in Italy and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 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.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Agusta Model A109C and A109K2 of the same
type design registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to
prevent loss of the tip fairing on the blade, which could result in
increased vibrations, loss of the tail rotor assembly, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
The short compliance time involved is required because the
previously described critical unsafe condition can adversely affect the
controllability of the helicopter. Therefore, inspection of the blades
is required prior to further flight, and this AD must be issued
immediately.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
The FAA estimates that 22 helicopters of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 hours to
accomplish the inspection and replacement, if necessary, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $11,000 per helicopter. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $245,960.
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 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-65-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 this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, 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, 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 98-13-28 AGUSTA S.p.A.: Amendment 39-10619. Docket No. 97-SW-65-
AD.
Applicability: Model A109C and A109K2 helicopters, with tail
rotor blades (blades), part number (P/N) 109-8132-01-107, serial
number A5-all dash 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
[[Page 34800]]
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the
authority provided in paragraph (d) 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 before further flight, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of the tip fairing on the blade, which could
result in increased vibrations, loss of the tail rotor assembly, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Perform a one-time inspection of each tail rotor blade for
debonds. The area to be inspected is located in a spanwise band from
620.0 mm to 670.0 mm (24.4 to 26.4 inches), as measured outboard
from the blade retention bolt centerline. Inspect the entire blade
surface on both sides of each blade within this band (see Figure 1).
Note 2: Agusta Bollettino Tecnico (Technical Bulletin) Number
109K-15, Revision A, dated April 18, 1997, pertains to the subject
of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR26JN98.004
(b) Perform a tapping inspection to detect debonds within the
blade surface area identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, using an
aluminum hammer, P/N 109-3101-58-2, or equivalent. The presence of
paint cracks on the tail rotor blade upper or lower surface in the
tip fairing area at the 670.0 mm spanwise location (see Figure 1)
may indicate that debonds exist.
(c) Any blade that does not meet the allowable debond criteria
specified in the applicable maintenance manual must be replaced with
an airworthy blade before further flight.
(d) 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, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate,
Rotorcraft Standards Staff. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 13, 1998.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Registro
Aeronautico Italiano (Italy) AD 97-124 and AD 97-125, both dated
April 30, 1997.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 15, 1998.
Eric Bries,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16612 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
