2012-21-07: DC Power/Distribution System

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: [[Page 64701]] PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 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] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2012-21-07--AGUSTA S.p.A. (Agusta): Amendment 39-17223; Docket No. FAA-2012-0448; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-016-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Agusta Model A109S helicopters, serial numbers up to and including 22151, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of the 35 ampere (amp) ``BATT BUS,'' which could result in an electrical failure and fire, loss of electrical power to instruments powered by the ``BATT BUS'' system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective November 27, 2012. (d) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. (e) Required Actions Within 50 hours time-in-service, modify the electrical power distribution system by installing the ``BATT BUS'' Circuit Breaker Modification Kit, part number 109-0824-73-107, as depicted in Figures 1 through 3 and by following the Compliance Instructions, paragraphs 4. through 7., of Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109S-35, dated December 11, 2009 (ASB). Thereafter, operationally test the electrical system by following paragraphs 19.1 through 19.7 of the ASB. (f) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished provided that you do not simultaneously operate the landing light and the search light. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Mark F. Wiley, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222- 5110; email [email protected]. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 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. (h) Additional Information The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2009-0264, dated December 15, 2009. (i) Subject Joint AircraftService Component (JASC) Code: 2460, DC Power/ Distribution System. (j) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109S-35, dated December 11, 2009. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Agusta service information identified in this AD, contact Agusta, S.p.A., Via Giovanni Agusta 520, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA), Italy, ATTN: Giovanni Cecchelli; telephone 39- 0331-711133; fax 39-0331-711180; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (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, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.