2021-22-05: Rotorcraft Flight Control

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2021-22-05 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21778; Docket No. FAA-2021-0572; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00391-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 3, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, certificated in any category, all serial numbers. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of abnormal play on the collective torque tube on two Model AW119 MKII helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address abnormal play on the collective torque tube, which could result in reduced control of the helicopter, resulting in a forced landing and consequent damage to the helicopter and injury to occupants. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except 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 2021-0096, dated March 31, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0096). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0096 (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0096 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS). (2) Where EASA AD 2021-0096 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0096 specify the compliance times for Group 1 helicopters to inspect the affected part, this AD requires an initial inspection within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. (4) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies, for Group 1 helicopters, replacement of an affected part with a serviceable part "within 36 months after April 3, 2019 [the effective date of EASA AD 2019-0057]," for this AD, that replacement must be done within 24 months after the effective date of this AD. (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies to return a torque tube assembly to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies to contact the manufacturer "in case of doubt" regarding the batch number on a torque tube assembly, determining the batch number is required by this AD but contacting the manufacturer is not required. (7) This AD does not mandate compliance with the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0096. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0096 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (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]. (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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Mail Stop: Room 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email [email protected]. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0096, dated March 31, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2021-0096, contact 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. (4) You may view this material 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 the EASA material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (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. Issued on October 13, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-25690 Filed 11-24-21; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P