2021-20-12: Emergency Flotation Section

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-20-12 Leonardo S.p.a: Amendment 39-21750; Docket No. FAA-2021- 0608; Project Identifier 2019-SW-119-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 22, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139, AW139, AB412, and AB412 EP helicopters, certificated in any category, with an affected part as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0311, dated December 19, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0311), installed. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 3212, Emergency Flotation Section. \n\n((Page 57569)) \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by failure of an Emergency Flotation System (EFS) float compartment to inflate during maintenance of the EFS. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a blocked float supply hose. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in partial inflation of an EFS float during an emergency landing on water and subsequently preventing a timely egress from the helicopter, which could result in injury to helicopter occupants. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0311. \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0311 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0311 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective dateof this AD. \n\t(2) Where EASA AD 2019-0311 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS). \n\t(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0311 requires inspecting each affected part within the compliance time specified in Table 2 of its AD, this AD requires: \n\t(i) Inspecting each affected part in Group A within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(ii) Inspecting each affected part in Group C within 15 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(4) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0311 specifies ''operator able to perform the EFS maintenance in accordance with Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) or Aircraft Maintenance Publication (AMP) can perform the procedure defined in this Service Bulletin,'' this AD requires that the work be accomplished by a mechanic that meets the requirements of 14 CFR part 65 subpart D. \n\t(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0311 specifies replacing an EFS supply hose that fails the inspection, this AD requires removing the hose from service. \n\t(6) This AD does not require the ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0311. \n\n(i) No Reporting Requirement \n\n\n\tAlthough the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0311 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. \n\n(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228- 7330; email [email protected]. \n\n(l) 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(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0311, dated December 19, 2019. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2019-0311, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer- Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. \n\t(4) 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. This material may be found in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0608. \n\t(5) You may view this material 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 September 20, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-22470 Filed 10-15-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P