Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 8, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81324-81326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23137]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1686; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00595-R; 
Amendment 39-22839; AD 2024-18-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and SA330J 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by the installation of unapproved 
main gearbox (MGB) forward and rear suspension bar attachment plates. 
This AD requires inspecting or measuring the MGB forward and rear 
suspension bar attachment plates and, depending on the results, taking 
corrective action, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 12, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 12, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-1686; 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 EASA AD, any comments received, 
and other information. The 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find 
the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> 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. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1686.
    Other Related Material: For Airbus Helicopters material identified 
in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, TX 75052; phone: (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax: (972) 
641-3775; or at airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (206) 231-3758; email: [email protected].

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.

[[Page 81325]]

    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.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  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.

[[Page 81326]]

(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: [email protected]. 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: 
[email protected].

(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: [email protected]; 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 [email protected].

    Issued on September 4, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-23137 Filed 10-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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