AD 2021-15-09
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Leonardo S.p.a. | AB139 | Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters |
| aircraft | Leonardo S.p.a. | AW139 | Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters |
Unsafe Condition
Improper design of EFS control panel part numbers 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 could result in uncommanded emergency flotation system (EFS) deployment during flight, leading to reduced control of the helicopter.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Replace EFS control panels with part numbers 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 using part numbers 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558 respectively. Prohibit installation of the affected control panels on any helicopter.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
before further flight
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with EFS control panel part numbers 3G9560V00556 (for night vision goggle use) or 3G9560V00557 (standard) installed.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Emergency Flotation Section
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - 2021-15-09.pdf Copy URL Document Versions Feedback DetailsAttachments/Public Comments AD Number: 2021-15-09 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: FAA-2021-0375 Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters Subject: Emergency Flotation Section Status: Current Citation: (Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)) Citation Publish Date: 07/23/2021 Effective Date: 08/27/2021 Make: Leonardo S.p.a. Model: AB139 | AW139 Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Rotorcraft Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: Automatic Zoom Actual Size Page Fit Page Width 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 200% 300% 400% 125% of 6 1 [Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 38914-38916] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2021-15481] –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2021-0375; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01245-R; Amendment 39-21656 AD 2021-15-09] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by two events of uncommanded emergency flotation system (EFS) deployment during flight. This AD requires replacing certain part- numbered EFS control panels and prohibits installing them. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 2021. ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. You may view the referenced 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. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0375; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 2 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronnea Derby, Aerospace Engineer, Denver ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 26805 E 68th Ave., Mail Stop: Room 214; Denver, CO 80249; telephone (303) 342-1093; email Ronnea.L.Derby@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with an EFS control panel part number (P/N) 3G9560V00556 (for use with night vision goggle) or 3G9560V00557 (standard) installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 25, 2021 (86 FR 28040). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 on any helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2015-0172, dated August 21, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0172), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for AgustaWestland S.p.A (formerly Agusta S.p.A.), AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation) (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with an EFS installed. EASA advises of two events of uncommanded EFS deployment during flight. Subsequent investigation revealed that these conditions had been caused by improper design of EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 (for use with night vision goggle) and 3G9560V00557 (standard). This condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2015-0172 requires replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. EASA AD 2015-0172 also prohibits installing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 on any helicopter. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs. Conclusion These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's 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. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters. Related Service Information The FAA reviewed AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-374, dated July 6, 2015. This service information specifies procedures for replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. This service information also notes that EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - 2021-15-09.pdf Copy URL Document Versions Feedback DetailsAttachments/Public Comments AD Number: 2021-15-09 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: FAA-2021-0375 Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters Subject: Emergency Flotation Section Status: Current Citation: (Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)) Citation Publish Date: 07/23/2021 Effective Date: 08/27/2021 Make: Leonardo S.p.a. Model: AB139 | AW139 Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Rotorcraft Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: Automatic Zoom Actual Size Page Fit Page Width 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 200% 300% 400% 125% of 6 1 [Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 38914-38916] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2021-15481] –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2021-0375; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01245-R; Amendment 39-21656 AD 2021-15-09] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by two events of uncommanded emergency flotation system (EFS) deployment during flight. This AD requires replacing certain part- numbered EFS control panels and prohibits installing them. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 2021. ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39-0331-225074; fax +39-0331-229046; or at https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/home. You may view the referenced 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. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0375; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 2 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronnea Derby, Aerospace Engineer, Denver ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 26805 E 68th Ave., Mail Stop: Room 214; Denver, CO 80249; telephone (303) 342-1093; email Ronnea.L.Derby@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with an EFS control panel part number (P/N) 3G9560V00556 (for use with night vision goggle) or 3G9560V00557 (standard) installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 25, 2021 (86 FR 28040). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit installing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 on any helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2015-0172, dated August 21, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0172), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for AgustaWestland S.p.A (formerly Agusta S.p.A.), AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (formerly Agusta Aerospace Corporation) (now Leonardo S.p.a.) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with an EFS installed. EASA advises of two events of uncommanded EFS deployment during flight. Subsequent investigation revealed that these conditions had been caused by improper design of EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 (for use with night vision goggle) and 3G9560V00557 (standard). This condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the helicopter. Accordingly, EASA AD 2015-0172 requires replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. EASA AD 2015-0172 also prohibits installing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 on any helicopter. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs. Conclusion These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's 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. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these helicopters. Related Service Information The FAA reviewed AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-374, dated July 6, 2015. This service information specifies procedures for replacing EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557 with EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00559 and 3G9560V00558, respectively. This service information also notes that EFS control panel P/Ns 3G9560V00556 and 3G9560V00557
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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