2022-07-01: Emergency Equipment, Life Raft

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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-23-07, Amendment 39-21323 (85 FR 73610, November 19, 2020); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-07-01 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-21988; Docket No. FAA-2021-1174; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00246-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 9, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2020-23-07, Amendment 39-21323 (85 FR 73610, November 19, 2020) (AD 2020-23-07). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated in any category, with emergency flotation kit part number (P/N) 4G9560F00111 (15 passengers) or 4G9560F00211 (18 passengers) installed. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Codes: 2560, Emergency Equipment, and 2564, Life Raft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the inadvertent activation and deployment of an emergency life raft while the helicopter was in flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent the unintended deployment of a life raft (raft). The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the deployment of a raft during flight, separation of the raft with possible impact on the rotors, and subsequent reduced control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For helicopters with a right-hand (RH) or left-hand (LH) life raft reservoir (reservoir) P/N 3G2560V01951 or P/N 3G2560V01251 and with a serial number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 139-648, dated August 10, 2020 (referred to as "ASB 139-648 First Issue"), within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 4, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-23-07), remove each affected reservoir from service. Any reservoir with the letter "R" after the S/N is excluded from this requirement. (2) For helicopters with a RH or LH reservoir P/N 3G2560V01951 or P/N 3G2560V01251 and with an S/N listed in Table 1 of Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 139-662, dated February 15, 2021 (ASB 139-662) within 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, remove each affected reservoir from service. Any reservoir with the letter "R" after the S/N is excluded from this requirement. (3) For helicopters with a RH or LH reservoir P/N 3G2560V01951 or P/N 3G2560V01251 and with an S/N not listed in Table 1 of ASB 139-648 First Issue or Table 1 of ASB 139-662 installed, within 25 hours TIS or before the reservoir accumulates 55 total hours TIS since first installation on a helicopter, whichever occurs later after December 4, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-23-07), inspect the valve pull rod of each reservoir by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, paragraphs 3. through 5.1, of ASB 139-648 First Issue. Any reservoir with the letter "R" after the S/N is included in this requirement. If the measurement of the actuator cable between the face of the pull rod and the back of the valve cap exceeds 68.5 mm, before further flight, replace the reservoir. As an alternative to using the specified portions of ASB 139-648 First Issue, you may accomplish the valve pull rod inspection by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, paragraphs 3. through 5.1, of Leonardo Helicopters ASB No. 139-648, Revision A, dated February 15, 2021 (ASB 139-648 Rev A). Note 1 to paragraph (g)(3): An actuator cable, which is referenced in paragraphs (g)(3) and (4) of this AD, is also known as an actuation cable. (4) For helicopters with a RH or LH reservoir P/N 3G2560V01951 or P/N 3G2560V01251 and with an S/N not listed in Table 1 of ASB 139-648 First Issue or Table 1 of ASB 139-662 installed, within 25 hours TIS after December 4, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-23-07), inspect the actuator cable of each reservoir by following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, paragraphs 3. through 5.1, of ASB 139-648 First Issue. Any reservoir with the letter "R" after the S/N in included in this requirement. If the clearance between the sphere at the end of the actuator cable and the activation system exceeds 5.0 +0.00/?2.0 mm, before further flight, adjust the actuator cable by following Annex A of ASB 139-648 First Issue. As an alternative to using the specified portions of ASB 139-648 First Issue, you may accomplish the actuator cable inspection and corrective action by following: (i) The Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, paragraphs 3. through 5.1, and Annex A, as applicable, of ASB 139-648 Rev A, or (ii) The Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 4 through 4.3.1, and Annex A, as applicable, of ASB 139-662. (5) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install reservoir P/N 3G2560V01951 or P/N 3G2560V01251 with an S/N listed in Table 1 of ASB 139-648 First Issue, Table 1 of ASB 139-648 Rev A, or Table 1 of ASB 139-662 on any helicopter. Any reservoir with the letter "R" after the S/N is excluded from this requirement. (6) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a reservoir P/N 3G2560V01951 or P/N 3G2560V01251 with an S/N other than an S/N listed in Table 1 of ASB 139-648 First Issue, Table 1 of ASB 139-648 Rev A, or Table 1 of ASB 139-662, on any helicopter unless you have complied with the requirements in paragraphs (g)(3) and (4) of this AD, as applicable to your helicopter. (h) 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 (i)(1) 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. (i) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-7323; email [email protected]. (2) Service information identified in this AD is available at the contact information specified in paragraphs (j)(5) and (6) of this AD. (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0054, dated February 25, 2021. You may view the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2021-1174. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (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. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 9, 2022. (i) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-648, Revision A, dated February 15, 2021. (ii) Leonardo Helicopters issued Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-662, dated February 15, 2021. (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 4, 2020 (85 FR 73610, November 19, 2020). (i) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-648, dated August 10, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For Leonardo S.p.a. service information identified in this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/. (6) 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. (7) 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. Issued on March 14, 2022. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-06971 Filed 4-1-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P