Action
Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); reopening of comment period.
Summary
We are revising an earlier notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to issue an airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with a certain wire strike protection system (WSPS) top cable cutter assembly installed. The existing NPRM proposes to require reworking or replacing the top cable cutter assembly to increase clearance between the WSPS and the main rotor (M/R) blades. The NPRM was prompted by a report of in-flight contact between the top cable-cutter assembly and two M/R blades. This action revises the proposals in the NPRM by requiring that the reworked or replaced part be marked with "BT 139-126 Rev./" or "FAA" at the end of the part number to reflect the field modification. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.