2022-13-01: Aircraft Fuel System

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: 2022-13-01 Leonardo S.p.a: Amendment 39-22087; Docket No. FAA-2022-0282; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01208-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 21, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0238, dated November 2, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0238). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2800, Aircraft Fuel System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of blockage in a fuel tank vent line. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address the blockage. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in dual engine flameout due to fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing. (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 2021-0238. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0238 (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0238 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2021-0238 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0238 specifies recording the inspection outcome in the report in ANNEX A (of the service information), this AD does not require that action. (4) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0238 specifies inspecting "the left/right vent line for evidence of a partial or total Proseal obstruction," this AD requires inspecting for a partial or total Proseal obstruction. (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0238 specifies immediately contacting Leonardo Company Product Support Engineering and waiting for further instructions before proceeding if there is any Proseal obstruction in any fuel tank vent line, this AD does not require that action. (6) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0238 specifies to "carefully remove the Proseal obstruction by means of a suitable method," this AD requires, before further flight, accomplishing repairs in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (7) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0238 specifies contacting Leonardo for approved corrective actions and accomplishing those instructions within the compliance time specified therein, this AD requires, before further flight, accomplishing repairs in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters' EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (8) This AD does not mandate compliance with the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0238. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0238 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 2021-0238, dated November 2, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2021-0238, 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.eu. (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-2022-0282. (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 June 10, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-12938 Filed 6-15-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P