2021-23-04: Fuselage Structure

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: 2021-23-04 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21802; Docket No. FAA-2021-0697; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01540-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 10, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109E helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0256, dated November 17, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0256). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5300, Fuselage Structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the center fuselage frame assembly in the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at station (STA) 1815 on the left- and right-hand sides. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at STA 1815 on the left- and right-hand sides, which, if not addressed, could affect the structural integrity of the helicopter. (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, EASA AD 2020-0256. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0256 (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0256 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2020-0256 AD refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where Figure 1 of the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 depicts the AFT bulkhead twice, for clarification, the FWD bulkhead is mislabeled as AFT and depicted on the left side of Figure 1, below 109-0320-96 POST ASSY (REF) and above FWD CAP. (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 specifies discarding parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0256 or the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 specifies to contact the manufacturer for repair information, for this AD: Before further flight, do the repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a.'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (6) This AD does not mandate compliance with the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2020-0256. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0256 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: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (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., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. (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 2020-0256, dated November 17, 2020. (ii) [Reserved]. (3) For EASA AD 2020-0256, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa. (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-2021-0697. (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 fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on October 26, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-26333 Filed 12-3-21; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P