2021-20-17: Tail Rotor System

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\n2021-20-17 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21755; FAA-2021-0612; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00650-R. \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\tThis AD replaces Emergency AD 2018-23-52, Product Identifier 2018-SW-093-AD, dated November 8, 2018 (Emergency AD 2018-23-52). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 and AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6400, Tail Rotor System.(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report of an accident of a Model AW169 helicopter, which was observed to have lost yaw control prior to the accident. The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of the tail rotor servo-actuator (TRA) feedback lever. This condition could result in loss of tail rotor control and subsequent 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) 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0197, dated September 10, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0197). \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0197 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0197 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. \n\t(2) This AD does not allow the compliance time tolerance specifiedin Note 1 of EASA AD 2020-0197. \n\t(3) The initial compliance time for the inspection specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 helicopters on which the inspection identified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial inspection is within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(4) The initial compliance time for the inspection specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the inspection identified in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial compliance time is within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(5) The initial compliance time for the installation specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the installation identified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial compliance time is within 20 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(6) The initial compliance time for the check (inspection) specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0197, except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the check (inspection) identified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, the initial compliance time is within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(7) The initial compliance time for the inspection/check specified in paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0197 is within the compliance time specified in paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0197 except for Group 1 and 2 helicopters on which the inspection identified in paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2020-0197 has not been done, theinitial compliance time is within 10 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(8) Where paragraphs (6), (8), (9), and (11) of EASA AD 2020- 0197 specify contacting Leonardo for corrective action instructions, the corrective action instructions must be accomplished in accordance with FAA-approved procedures. \n\t(9) Where paragraphs (9) and (10) of EASA AD 2020-0197 use the term ''discrepancy,'' for this AD, discrepancies include roughness (meaning lack of free and easy rotation), measured breakaway force(s) outside the allowed range specified in the service information identified in paragraphs (2) and (7) of EASA AD 2020- 0197, any wear or other damage (including, but not limited to, broken seals), and the presence of particles. \n\t(10) Where paragraph (12) of EASA AD 2020-0197 requires reporting results to the manufacturer ''as required by paragraphs (12.1) and (12.2) of this (EASA) AD'', for this AD, only report the inspection and check results specified in paragraph (12.1) of EASA AD 2020-0197. Submit the report at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(10)(i) or (ii) of this AD. \n\t(i) If the inspection or check was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 2 days after the inspection or check. \n\t(ii) If the inspection or check was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 2 days after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(11) Where paragraph (13) of EASA AD 2020-0197, and the service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0197, specify returning parts and grease containers to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements. \n\t(12) Where EASA AD 2020-0197 requires compliance from March 20, 2020 (the effective date of EASA AD 2020-0048, dated March 6, 2020), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(13) Where EASA AD 2020-0197 requires compliance from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(14) This AD does not allow credit for the actions specified in EASA AD 2020-0197 if those actions were done using the service information specified in paragraphs (h)(14)(i) through (ix) of this AD: \n\t(i) Leonardo S.p.A. Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) 169- 148, dated May 29, 2019; \n\t(ii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 169-148, Revision A, dated September 5, 2019; \n\t(iii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 169-148, Revision B, dated February 4, 2020; \n\t(iv) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 169-148, Revision C, dated April 6, 2020; \n\t(v) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, dated May 29, 2019; \n\t(vi) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision A, dated September 5, 2019; \n\t(vii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision B, dated February 4, 2020; \n\t(viii) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision B, dated February 4, 2020, with Errata Corrige; \n\t(ix) Leonardo S.p.A. EASB 189-237, Revision C, dated April 6, 2020. \n\n((Page 57567)) \n\n\n\t(15) This AD does not require the ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0197. \n\n\n\t(i) 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 (j) 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\n\t(j) 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(k) 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 2020-0197, dated September 10, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2020-0197, 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 onthe availability of this material at the FAA, call 817-222-5110. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA- 2021-0612. \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 23, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-22471 Filed 10-15-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P