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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 18, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
cracks and damage were likely related to the design of the vertical fin vibration absorber installation and incorrect installation. Accordingly, EASA AD
20140150 required repetitive inspections and removal of the affected part.
After EASA AD 20140150 was issued, EASA determined certain helicopters were not included in the applicability and may also be subject to the unsafe condition. Accordingly, EASA issued EASA AD 20190294, dated December 4, 2019 EASA AD
20190294, which supersedes EASA
AD 20140150. EASA AD 20190294
retains the requirements of EASA AD
20140150 and expands the applicability, prohibits vertical fin vibration absorber installation P/N 109
B81079101 from being installed on any helicopter, and considers removal of the affected part to constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections. EASA states that the unsafe condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the structural integrity of the helicopter.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.

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Conclusion These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAAs bilateral agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed except for a correction to the compliance time for removing the vertical fin vibration absorber installation from service. The NPRM
stated that removing this part from service would be required within 12
months TIS; the term TIS was included in error and has been removed.
This change does not increase the economic burden on any operator.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters.
Related Service Information The FAA reviewed AgustaWestland S.p.A. Bollettino Technico No. 109S58
for Model A109S helicopters, and AgustaWestland S.p.A Bollettino Technico No. 109SP074 for Model AW109SP helicopters, each dated May 7, 2014. This service information specifies instructions for removing the
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vertical fin vibration absorber installation, inspecting the rib assembly and vertical fin vibration absorber installation and depending on the inspection results, removing certain parts from service.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
EASA AD 20190294 applies to certain serial-numbered Model A109S
and AW109SP helicopters, whereas this AD applies to all serial-numbered Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters with a certain part-numbered vertical fin vibration absorber installation installed.
Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 96 helicopters of U.S. Registry and that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85
per work-hour.
Removing and inspecting the vertical fin vibration absorber installation and surrounding structure takes about 8
work-hours for an estimated cost of $680 per helicopter per inspection cycle and $65,280 for the U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
Replacing the rib assembly, shim, doubler, and bracket will take about 16
work-hours and parts will cost about $10,000 for an estimated cost of $11,360
per helicopter.
According to Leonardo some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage by Leonardo. Accordingly, all costs are included in this cost estimate.
Authority for This Rulemaking Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAAs 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 Agencys authority.
The FAA is 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 helicopters identified in this rulemaking action.

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Regulatory Findings This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that this AD:
1 Is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, 2 Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and 3 Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
The Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106g, 40113, 44701.
39.13

Amended
2. The FAA amends 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

20211613 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 3921675; Docket No. FAA20210364;
Project Identifier MCAI202000274R.
a Effective Date This airworthiness directive AD is effective September 22, 2021.
b Affected ADs None.
c Applicability This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109S helicopters and AW109SP
helicopters, certificated in any category, with vertical fin vibration absorber installation part number P/N 109B81079101
installed.
d Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component JASC
Code: 2740, Stabilizer Control System.
e Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as cracks or damage on the vertical fin vibration absorber installation and surrounding structure. This condition could affect the
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