2024-17-07: Tail Rotor 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: 2024-17-07 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 39-22832; Docket No. FAA-2024-0997; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01306-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 12, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 6400, Tail Rotor System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracks found on tail rotor (TR) damper bracket assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address corrosion or cracks on the TR damper bracket assembly. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to fracture of the affected part (TR damper bracket assembly), TR blade loss, unbalance or damage to the tail or other parts of the helicopter, possibly resulting in failure of the TR damper, and consequent loss of 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0205, dated October 4, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0205). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0205 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0205 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0205 refers to its effective date and August 15, 2022 (the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0154, dated August 1, 2022), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0205 states to "replace the affected part with a serviceable part in accordance with the instructions of section 3 of the ASB;" for this AD, replace that text with "remove the affected part, as defined in EASA AD 2022-0205, from service and replace it with a serviceable part, as defined in EASA AD 2022-0205, in accordance with the instructions of section 3 of the ASB." (4) Where the material referenced in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0205 specifies to perform detailed visual inspections (DVIs) and "If no cracks are found, but suspected evidences of corrosion signs are found, gently polish the interested area," for the purposes of this AD, "suspected signs of corrosion" and "suspected evidences of corrosion signs" are signs of discoloration, pitting, flaking, or rust stains. (5) Where the material referenced in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2022-0205 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (6) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2022-0205. (7) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0205. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0205 specifies to reporting certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the initial instance of the detailed visual inspections (DVIs) required by paragraph (g) of this AD, for TR damper bracket assemblies identified in Table 1 of EASA AD 2022-0205, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. 139-724, Revision A, dated September 19, 2022. (k) 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 § 39.19. In accordance with § 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD or email to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also submit information by email. (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. (l) Additional Information (1) 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]. (2) For Leonardo Helicopters material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference, contact Leonardo S.p.A., Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G. Agusta 520, 21017 C. Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; phone: (+39) 0331-225074; fax: (+39) 0331-229046; or at customerportal.leonardocompany.com/en-US/. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0205, dated October 4, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; internet: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at 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 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 August 22, 2024. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-23066 Filed 10-4-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P