[Federal Register: June 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 121)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36484-36486]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn05-9]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21589; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-44-AD;
Amendment 39-14154; AD 2005-13-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Agusta S.p.A. Model AB412 Series
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
the Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 Series helicopters. This action
requires inspecting each affected tail rotor blade (blade) forward tip
weight retention block (tip block) and the aft tip closure (tip
closure) for adhesive bond voids, and removing any blade with an
excessive void from service. This AD also requires modifying certain
blades by installing shear pins and tip closure rivets on all affected
blades. This amendment is prompted by reports of in-flight loss of tip
blocks and tip closures resulting in minor to substantial damage. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent loss of the tip
block or tip closure, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
DATES: Effective July 11, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 11, 2005.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 23, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically;
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically;
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590;
Fax: (202) 493-2251; or
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You may get the service information identified in this AD from
Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy, Via Giovanni Agusta
520, telephone 39 (0331) 229111, fax 39 (0331) 229605-222595.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments, and
other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person
at the Docket Management System (DMS) Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the
Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street address
stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Miles, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Guidance Group,
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0111, telephone (817) 222-5122, fax (817) 222-
5961.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This amendment adopts a new AD for Agusta
Model AB412 Series helicopters. This action requires inspecting the tip
block and the tip closure for adhesive bond voids and removing any
blade with an excessive void from service. This action also requires
modifying certain blades by installing shear pins and tip closure
rivets in the tip area of all affected blades. This amendment is
prompted by reports of in-flight loss of tip blocks and tip closures
resulting in minor to
[[Page 36485]]
substantial damage. This condition, if not detected, could result in
loss of a tip block or tip closure, loss of a blade, and subsequent
loss of control of the helicopter.
Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), the airworthiness
authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on Agusta Model AB 205A1, AB212, and AB412 helicopters. ENAC
advises modifying the blade tip block and tip closure retention.
Agusta has issued Bollettino Tecnico No. 412-88, Revision A, dated
August 17, 2004 (BT 412-88, Revision A), which specifies inspecting and
modifying blade, part number (P/N) 212-010-750-ALL, tip block and tip
closure retention by providing additional fasteners in the tip area to
prevent future loss of either the tip block or tip closure. Recent
investigations into the in-flight loss of a blade, P/N 212-010-750-105,
tip block, revealed that the countersunk screws retaining the tip block
were installed incorrectly resulting in inadequate tip block retention.
Additionally, reports have been submitted of the loss of the tail rotor
tip cap closure possibly due to an inadequate bond in this area. ENAC
classified this service information as mandatory and issued AD 2004-
351, dated September 3, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these helicopters in Italy.
These helicopter models are manufactured in Italy and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
14 CFR 21.29 and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to the
applicable bilateral agreement, ENAC has kept the FAA informed of the
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of ENAC,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of these type designs that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
This unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other
helicopters of the same type designs if they become registered in the
United States. Therefore, this AD is being issued to prevent loss of
the tip block or tip closure, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of
control of the helicopter. This AD requires, within 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS):
Inspecting the tip block and tip closure for voids and,
before further flight, removing any blade that has voids in excess of
the Component Repair and Overhaul Manual Limitations.
Inspecting the tip block attachment countersink screws in
four locations to determine if the head of each countersunk screw is
flush with the surface of the abrasion strip and the skin. If any of
the screws are set below the surface of the abrasion strip and the skin
or are covered with filler material, before further flight, install
shear pins.
Installing tip closure rivets on all affected blades.
Accomplish the actions in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously.
None of the Agusta Model AB412 Series helicopters affected by this
action are on the U.S. Register. All helicopters included in the
applicability of this rule are currently operated by non-U.S. operators
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any
of these subject helicopters are imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future.
Should an affected helicopter be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would take approximately 3 work hours to
accomplish the required actions at an average labor rate of $65 per
work hour. Required parts would cost $25. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of this AD would be $220 per helicopter.
Since this AD action does not affect any helicopter that is
currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-21589;
Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-44-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light
of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our docket
web site, you can find and read the comments to any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment. You may
review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov
.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that notice and prior public comment are
unnecessary in promulgating this regulation; therefore, it can be
issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft since
none of these model helicopters are registered in the United States. We
have also determined that this regulation is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined
further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If
it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the AD docket.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration
[[Page 36486]]
amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive to
read as follows:
2005-13-17 Agusta. S.p.A.: Amendment 39-14154. Docket No. FAA-2005-
21589; Directorate Identifier 2004-SW-44-AD.
Applicability: Model AB412 Series helicopters, with a tail rotor
blade (blade), part number (P/N) 212-010-750-All, having a serial
number (S/N) with a prefix of ``A'' or ``A-FS'' and number 11530
through 13618, except numbers 13595 through 13602, installed,
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time-in-service, unless
accomplished previously.
To prevent loss of the forward tip weight retention block (tip
block) or aft tip closure (tip closure), loss of a blade, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the
following:
(a) Inspect the tip block and tip closure for voids. Before
further flight, remove any blade with a void in excess of that
allowed by the Component Repair and Overhaul Manual limitations.
(b) Inspect the tip block attachment countersink screws in four
locations to determine if the head of each countersunk screw is
flush with the surface of the abrasion strip and the skin. The
location of these four screws is depicted on Figure 2 of Agusta
Bollettino Tecnico No. 412-88, Revision A, dated August 17, 2004 (BT
412-88, Revision A). If any of these screws are set below the
surface of the abrasion strip or are covered with filler material,
before further flight, install shear pins by following the
Accomplishment Instructions, Part A, Tip Block: Shear Pin
Installation, paragraphs 1 through 3, of BT 412-88, Revision A.
(c) Install the tip closure rivets on all affected blades by
following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part B, Aft Tip Closure:
Rivet Installation, paragraphs 1 through 6, of BT 412-88, Revision
A.
(d) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Contact the Safety Management Group, FAA, for information about
previously approved alternative methods of compliance.
(e) The inspections and modification must be done by following
the specified portions of Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 412-88,
Revision A, dated August 17, 2004. The Director of the Federal
Register approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Agusta, 21017 Cascina Costa di Samarate (VA) Italy, Via Giovanni
Agusta 520, telephone 39 (0331) 229111, fax 39 (0331) 229605-222595.
Copies may be inspected at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 11, 2005.
Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in Ente Nazionale per
l'Aviazione Civile (Italy) AD 2004-351, dated September 3, 2004.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 8, 2005.
S. Frances Cox,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12419 Filed 6-23-05; 8:45 am]
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