2020-18620. Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; correction.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters. As published, one service bulletin reference in the AD is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

DATES:

This correction is effective September 3, 2020. The effective date of AD 2020-15-18 remains September 3, 2020.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 2020 (85 FR 45773, July 30, 2020).

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this final rule, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/​en/​home. You may view this referenced 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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0215.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0215; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kristi Bradley, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

AD 2020-15-18, Amendment 39-21181 (85 FR 45773, July 30, 2020) (AD 2020-15-18), currently requires removal of affected shape memory alloy (SMA) inflation systems and installation of serviceable SMA inflation systems. That AD applies to certain Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo) Model AB139, AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopters.

Need for the Correction

As published, paragraph (g) of the regulatory text of AD 2020-15-18 contains an error in a reference to the service information. Paragraph (g) of the AD incorrectly identifies the service information “Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 139-533, dated August 30, 2018 (ASB-139-153)”. The second parenthetical reference to “ASB-139-153” is incorrect.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Leonardo 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. This 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.

Correction of Publication

This document corrects an error and correctly adds the AD as an amendment to 14 CFR 39.13. Although no other part of the preamble or regulatory information has been corrected, the FAA is publishing the entire rule in the Federal Register.

The effective date of this AD remains September 3, 2020.

Good Cause for Adoption Without Prior Notice

Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency for “good cause” find that those procedures are “impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” Section 553(d)(3) of the APA requires that agencies publish a rule not less than 30 days before its effective date, except as otherwise provided by the agency for good cause found and published with the rule.

Since this action only corrects a typographical error in a service bulletin reference, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public comment procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary. For the same reason, the FAA finds that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this rule effective in less than 30 days.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Correction

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.

§ 39.13

[Corrected]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2020-15-18 Leonardo S.p.A.: Amendment 39-21181; Docket No. FAA-2020-0215; Product Identifier 2018-SW-088-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective September 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to the Leonardo S.p.A. helicopters identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any category.

(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.

(2) Model AW169 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with an EFS float assembly having any part number.

(3) Model AW189 helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with an EFS float assembly having P/N 8G9560V00331 or 8G9560V00431.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 3212, Emergency Flotation Section.

(e) Reason

This 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.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Definitions

(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 139-533); 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.

(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.

(h) Removal and Installation

At 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.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an affected part on any helicopter.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(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 [phone]; email [e-mail].

(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.

(k) Related Information

(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.

(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 [phone]; email [e-mail].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

(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.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on September 3, 2020 (85 FR 45773, July 30, 2020).

(i) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-533, dated August 30, 2018.

(ii) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 169-099, dated August 30, 2018.

(iii) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 189-195, dated August 30, 2018.

(4) 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 [phone]; fax [phone]; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/​en/​home.

(5) 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 [phone].

(6) 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 [e-mail], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on August 19, 2020.

Lance T. Gant,

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.