2024-10-02: Life Raft

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-10-02 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-22747; Docket No. FAA-2024-0235; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01376-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 22, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0214, dated October 21, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0214). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 2564, Life Raft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded deployment of the Emergency life-raft system (ELS), possibly due to an incorrect installation of its control cable. The FAA is issuing this AD to address unintended activation and deployment of the ELS. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in unintended activation and deployment of the ELS in flight with possible impact on the rotors, resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2022-0214. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0214 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0214 refers to "flight hours," this AD requires replacing those words with "hours time-in-service." (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0214 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 2022-0214 specifies taking pictures and completing the inspection report, this AD does not include those requirements. (4) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 states, "damage ( e.g., wear or bird caging)" or "damaged" when referring to the control cable that comes out from the sheath; for this AD, replace that text with, "damage, which may be indicated by wear, corrosion, a broken wire, a necked down section, a kink, bird-caging, a flattened area, abrasion, or gouging." (5) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 states, "condition (no sign of damage, cracks or missing parts)" or "damaged" when referring to the break-away pin; for this AD, replace that text with, "damage, which may be indicated by wear, corrosion, nick, cracks, or distortion." (6) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 states, "condition," "damage/wear," and "damages" when referring to the pulley cover; for this AD, replace that text with, "damage, which may be indicated by abrasion, cracks, punctures, cuts, corrosion, or distortion." (7) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies removing the pully cover in case it is not possible to properly inspect the whole cover; for this AD, removing the pulley cover to inspect the whole cover is required. (8) Where the service information referenced in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0214 cautions that step 3.3 shall be performed by trained operators or by authorized service stations only, this AD does not include those cautions. For this AD, step 3.3 must be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3. (9) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies "accomplish a check of the affected emergency life-raft assembly," this AD requires replacing that text with "accomplish an emergency life-raft assembly inspection." (10) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies "during the check of the emergency life-raft assembly as required by paragraph (2) of this AD," this AD requires replacing that text with "during the life-raft assembly inspection as required by paragraph (2) of this AD." (11) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies "before next flight after the check as required by paragraph (2) of this AD," this AD requires replacing that text with "before next flight after the life-raft assembly inspection as required by paragraph (2) of this AD." (12) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies to inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the helicopter accordingly, this AD does not require those actions. (13) Where Table 1 of paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies "Within 120 days after accomplishment of the inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD", this AD requires replacing that text with "Before next flight over water." (14) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0214. (i) No Reporting or Return of Parts Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0214 specifies to submit certain information and send removed parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include those requirements. (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 Sungmo Cho, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7241; 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 2022-0214, dated October 21, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2022-0214, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on May 8, 2024. James D. Foltz, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-13163 Filed 6-14-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P