2020-15-16: Tail Rotor Drive System

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: 0 a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-07-08, Amendment 39-19239 (83 FR 15495, April 11, 2018); and 0 b. Adding the following new AD: \n\n2020-15-16 Leonardo S.p.A. (type certificate previously held by Agusta S.p.A.): Amendment 39-21179; Docket No. FAA-2020-0204; Product Identifier 2018-SW-082-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective August 27, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD replaces AD 2018-07-08, Amendment 39-19239 (83 FR 15495, April 11, 2018). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Leonardo S.p.A. (type certificate previously held by Agusta S.p.A.) Model A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor blade retention bolt (bolt) having part number (P/N) 709- 0160-57-101 installed. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6500, Tail Rotor Drive System. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked bolt, and a determination that repetitive inspections of the bolt are needed to address the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracked bolts, which could result in failure of the tail rotor and loss of control of the helicopter. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Required Actions \n\n\n\t(1) Before further flight: \n\t(i) For Model A109E and A109K2 helicopters, remove from service any bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has 800 or more hours time- in-service (TIS). If the hours TIS is unknown, remove the bolt from service. Thereafter, removefrom service any bolt having P/N 709- 0160-57-101 before accumulating 800 hours TIS. \n\t(ii) For Model A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters, remove from service any bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has 3,200 or more landings. If the number of landings is unknown, remove the bolt from service. Thereafter, remove from service any bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101 before accumulating 3,200 landings. For purposes of this AD, a landing is counted anytime a helicopter lifts off into the air and then lands again regardless of the duration of the landing and regardless of whether the engine is shutdown. \n\t(iii) Remove from service any bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has 800 or more hours TIS, or 3,200 or more landings, that has been interchanged between different model helicopters listed in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD. If the hours TIS or number of landings is unknown, remove the bolt from service. Thereafter, remove from service any bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101 that has been interchanged between different model helicopters listed in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD before accumulating 800 hours TIS or 3,200 landings, whichever occurs first. \n\t(2) Within 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS, remove each bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101. Prior to cleaning, using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each bolt having P/N 709- 0160-57-101 for any crack in the area depicted in Figure 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP- \n\n((Page 44462)) \n\n149, 109K-72, 109S-072, 109SP-105, or 119-080, all dated August 19, 2016, as applicable to your model helicopter. \n\t(i) If there is any crack, replace the bolt with an airworthy bolt before further flight. \n\t(ii) If there are no cracks, before further flight, clean and degrease the inspection area of the bolt with solvent, and using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101 for any crack in the area depicted in Figure 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP-149, 109K-72, 109S-072, 109SP-105, or 119-080, all dated August 19, 2016, as applicable to your model helicopter. If there is any crack, replace the bolt with an airworthy bolt before further flight. \n\t(3) As of the effective date of this AD, installation of a bolt having P/N 709-0160-57-101 is allowed, provided that the bolt has passed an inspection as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. \n\n(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5151; email [email protected]. \n\t(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part119 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(i) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) Emergency AD 2016-0173-E, dated August 24, 2016. 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- 2020-0204. \n\t(2) For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5151; email [email protected]. \n\n(j) 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(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on April 26, 2018 (83 FR 15495, April 11, 2018). \n\t(i) Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP- 149, dated August 19, 2016. \n\t(ii) Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico No. 109K- 72, dated August 19, 2016. \n\t(iii) Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico No. 109S-072, dated August 19, 2016. \n\t(iv) Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico No. 109SP-105, dated August 19, 2016. \n\t(v) Leonardo Helicopters Mandatory Bollettino Tecnico No. 119- 080, dated August 19, 2016. \n\t(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. \n\t(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 (817) 222-5110. \n\t(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 [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on July 16, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-15811 Filed 7-22-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P