Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

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 Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and SA330J helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 18, 2024 (89 FR 51468). The NPRM was prompted by a series of ADs, the most recent being EASA AD 2023-0076, dated April 11, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0076), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Model SA 330 J, AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, and AS 332 L1 helicopters.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting or measuring the MGB forward and rear suspension bar attachment plates and, depending on the results, taking corrective action. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

You may examine EASA AD 2023-0076 in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1686.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.

Conclusion

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the EASA AD referenced above. 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 products.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2023-0076 requires measuring the thickness of the MGB forward suspension bar attachment plate and inspecting the LH and RH MGB rear suspension bar attachment plates. Depending on the results, EASA AD 2023-0076 requires contacting AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved corrective action instructions and accomplishing those instructions accordingly.

This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Material

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS332-53.02.15, Revision 0, dated March 6, 2023, and ASB No. SA330-53.56, Revision 0, dated April 3, 2023. This material specifies procedures for measuring the thickness of the MGB front suspension bar attachment plate and visually checking the LH and RH MGB rear suspension bar attachment plate versions. Depending on the results, this material specifies procedures for contacting Airbus Helicopter to get an approved repair.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

If, during the inspection or measurement, any discrepancy is detected, EASA AD 2023-0076 specifies contacting AH [Airbus Helicopters] to obtain approved corrective action instructions and accomplishing those instructions, and the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0076 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters to get an approved repair, whereas this AD requires accomplishing the corrective action before further flight in accordance with a method approved by the FAA, EASA, or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 38 helicopters of U.S. registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

Measuring the thickness of the MGB forward suspension bar attachment plate and inspecting the LH and RH MGB rear suspension bar attachment plates will take approximately 2 work-hours for an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter and $6,460 for the U.S. fleet.

The corrective action that may be needed as a result of the inspection or measurement could vary significantly from helicopter to helicopter. The FAA has no data to determine the costs to accomplish the corrective action or the number of helicopters that may require corrective action.

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.

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 products identified in this rulemaking action.

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.

The Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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:

2024-18-05 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22839; Docket No. FAA-2024-1686; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00595-R.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 12, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5311, Fuselage Main, Frame.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by the installation of unapproved main gearbox (MGB) forward and left-hand and right-hand rear suspension bar attachment plates. The FAA is issuing this AD to ensure installation of approved parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in damage to the MGB suspension bar attachment plates and surrounding fuselage structure, and subsequent failure of load carrying structural elements.

(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 2023-0076, dated April 11, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0076).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0076

(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0076 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.

(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0076 refers to its effective date and March 21, 2023 (the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0049, dated March 7, 2023), this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0076 specifies contacting AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved corrective action instructions and within the compliance time indicated therein, accomplishing those instructions accordingly and, where the material referenced in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0076 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters to get an approved repair, this AD requires, before further flight, corrective action done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(4) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2023-0049.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0076 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.

(j) 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 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD or email to: AMOC@faa.gov. 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.

(k) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3758; email: hye.yoon.jang@faa.gov.

(l) 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 2023-0076, dated April 11, 2023.

(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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov.

[FR Doc. 2024-23137 Filed 10-7-24; 8:45 am]

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