83 FR 25363 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 106 (June 1, 2018)

Page Range		25363-25365
FR Document		2018-11446

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, and SA-365C2 helicopters. This AD requires establishing a life limit of 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) for the Starflex star/mast connecting bolt (bolt) and removing from service each bolt that exceeds its life limit. This AD is prompted by the discovery that the bolt's life limit was not included in helicopter maintenance records. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 106 (Friday, June 1, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25363-25365]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11446]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1063; Product Identifier 2017-SW-088-AD; Amendment 
39-19291; AD 2018-11-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) Airbus 
Helicopters Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, and SA-365C2 helicopters. This AD 
requires establishing a life limit of 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
for the Starflex star/mast connecting bolt (bolt) and removing from 
service each bolt that exceeds its life limit. This AD is prompted by 
the discovery that the bolt's life limit was not included in helicopter 
maintenance records. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 18, 2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 31, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1063; 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 AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at 
http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. You may review 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing

[[Page 25364]]

each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this 
rulemaking during the comment period. We will consider all the comments 
we receive and may conduct additional rulemaking based on those 
comments.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2016-0115-E, dated June 16, 
2016, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model SA-
365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, and SA-365C3 helicopters. EASA advises that 
the 2,000 flight hour life limit for the bolts was not referenced in 
the helicopter maintenance documentation. EASA states that some 
helicopters are therefore likely to continue flying with these bolts 
past their life limit. This condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to bolt failure, resulting in main rotor mast, hub or blade 
damage and reduced helicopter control, EASA advises. As a result, the 
EASA AD requires replacing the bolts if they have reached or exceeded 
2,000 flight hours, if the bolt part number (P/N) cannot be identified, 
or if the number of flight hours of the bolt is not known. The EASA AD 
also requires maintaining the continuous airworthiness records for the 
bolts.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same 
type designs.

Related Service Information

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
SA365 65.51, Revision 0, dated June 2, 2016. This service information 
establishes a life limit of 2,000 flight hours for certain bolts 
installed on Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, and 
SA-365C3 helicopters and specifies replacing the bolts if necessary.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires the following before further flight:
     Removing from service any bolt P/N 365A31-1182-20, 365A31-
1182-21, 365A31-1183-20, 365A31-1183-21, 365A31-1928-20, or 365A31-
1143-20 that has accumulated 2,000 or more hours TIS or any bolt for 
which the hours TIS is unknown. Thereafter, removing from service each 
bolt P/N 365A31-1182-20, 365A31-1182-21, 365A31-1183-20, 365A31-1183-
21, 365A31-1928-20, or 365A31-1143-20 before it accumulates 2,000 hours 
TIS.
     Removing from service any bolt with a P/N not listed in 
the AD or any bolt for which you cannot determine the P/N.
     Creating a component history card or equivalent record for 
each bolt P/N 365A31-1182-20, 365A31-1182-21, 365A31-1183-20, 365A31-
1183-21, 365A31-1928-20, or 365A31-1143-20 and recording a life limit 
of 2,000 hours TIS.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365C3 
helicopters. This AD does not because the SA-365C3 helicopter has no 
FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    There are no costs of compliance with this AD because there are no 
helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S. Registry.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    There are no helicopters with this type certificate on the U.S. 
Registry. We believe it is therefore unlikely that we will receive any 
adverse comments or useful information about this AD from U.S. 
operators.
    Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are unnecessary. In addition, for the reasons stated 
above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that 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, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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.

Adoption of 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 (AD):

2018-11-03 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-19291; Docket No. FAA-
2017-1063; Product Identifier 2017-SW-088-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365C, SA-365C1, 
and SA-365C2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a Starflex star/mast 
connecting bolt (bolt) remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. 
This condition could result in failure of a

[[Page 25365]]

bolt, leading to failure of the main rotor blade mast, hub, or blade 
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 18, 2018.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    Before further flight:
    (1) Remove from service any bolt part number (P/N) 365A31-1182-
20, 365A31-1182-21, 365A31-1183-20, 365A31-1183-21, 365A31-1928-20, 
or 365A31-1143-20 that has accumulated 2,000 or more hours time-in-
service (TIS), or any bolt for which the hours TIS is unknown. 
Thereafter, remove from service each bolt P/N 365A31-1182-20, 
365A31-1182-21, 365A31-1183-20, 365A31-1183-21, 365A31-1928-20, or 
365A31-1143-20 before accumulating 2,000 hours TIS.
    (2) Remove from service any bolt with a P/N not listed in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD or for which the P/N is unknown.
    (3) Create a component history card or equivalent record for 
each bolt P/N 365A31-1182-20, 365A31-1182-21, 365A31-1183-20, 
365A31-1183-21, 365A31-1928-20, and 365A31-1143-20 and record a life 
limit of 2,000 hours TIS.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 
65.51, Revision 0, dated June 2, 2016, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus 
Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 
(972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. 
You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 
Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2016-0115-E, dated June 16, 2016. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-1063.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor 
Head.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 16, 2018.
Scott A. Horn,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11446 Filed 5-31-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 25365

bolt, leading to failure of the main rotor blade No. 2016–0115–E, dated June 16, 2016. You In 2013, facing increases in
mast, hub, or blade and subsequent loss of may view the EASA AD on the internet at publication costs and dwindling
control of the helicopter. http://www.regulations.gov by searching for subscription numbers, the Commission
and locating it in Docket No. FAA–2017–
(c) Effective Date
1063.
began publishing the Docket
This AD becomes effective June 18, 2018. electronically on the SEC website.
(h) Subject Producing and posting the SEC Docket
(d) Compliance
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) electronically continues to require
You are responsible for performing each Code: 6220, Main Rotor Head. significant staff resources. The Office of
action required by this AD within the
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 16, the Secretary estimates that
specified compliance time unless it has
already been accomplished prior to that time. 2018. approximately 600 staff hours are
Scott A. Horn, expended annually to prepare the
(e) Required Actions Docket. Moreover, with Docket
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
Before further flight: Compliance & Airworthiness Division, materials already posted elsewhere on
(1) Remove from service any bolt part Aircraft Certification Service. the website several weeks before the
number (P/N) 365A31–1182–20, 365A31–
[FR Doc. 2018–11446 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am] Docket is completed and published, the
1182–21, 365A31–1183–20, 365A31–1183–
21, 365A31–1928–20, or 365A31–1143–20 BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Docket generally receives less than
that has accumulated 2,000 or more hours 0.01% of all SEC website traffic.
time-in-service (TIS), or any bolt for which Accordingly, the Commission plans to
the hours TIS is unknown. Thereafter, SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE immediately discontinue publication of
remove from service each bolt P/N 365A31– COMMISSION
1182–20, 365A31–1182–21, 365A31–1183–
the SEC Docket but to continue posting
20, 365A31–1183–21, 365A31–1928–20, or these materials on the SEC website in
17 CFR Parts 200 and 201 real time. In light of this change, the
365A31–1143–20 before accumulating 2,000
hours TIS. [Release No. 34–83325] Commission is adopting technical
(2) Remove from service any bolt with a P/ amendments to Title 17, Chapter II of
N not listed in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD or Technical Amendments to Rules of the Code of Federal Regulations to
for which the P/N is unknown. Practice and Rules of Organization; eliminate references to the SEC Docket
(3) Create a component history card or Conduct and Ethics; and Information
equivalent record for each bolt P/N 365A31– and, where appropriate, replace
and Requests references to the SEC Docket with
1182–20, 365A31–1182–21, 365A31–1183–
20, 365A31–1183–21, 365A31–1928–20, and AGENCY: Securities and Exchange references to the SEC website.
365A31–1143–20 and record a life limit of Commission.
2,000 hours TIS. II. Administrative Law Matters
ACTION: Final rule; technical
(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance amendments. The Commission finds, in accordance
(AMOCs) with the Administrative Procedure Act
(1) The Manager, Safety Management SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange (‘‘APA’’), that these revisions relate
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) solely to agency organization,
may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your is making technical amendments to procedures, or practice and do not
proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation certain rules of organization and rules of constitute a substantive rule.
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, practice to indicate that Commission
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
Accordingly, the APA’s provisions
materials will no longer be compiled regarding notice of rulemaking,
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; and published as the ‘‘SEC Docket’’
telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9-ASW- opportunity for public comment, and
(‘‘SEC Docket’’ or ‘‘Docket’’), but will advance publication of the amendments
FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) For operations conducted under a 14 continue to be available on the SEC are not applicable.1 For the same reason,
CFR part 119 operating certificate or under public website. and because these amendments do not
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that DATES: Effective Date: June 1, 2018. affect the rights or obligations of non-
you notify your principal inspector, or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: agency parties, the provisions of the
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of Hannah Riedel, Senior Counsel, (202)
the local flight standards district office or Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
certificate holding district office, before 551–5150, Office of the General Fairness Act are not applicable.2
operating any aircraft complying with this Counsel, Securities and Exchange Additionally, the provisions of the
AD through an AMOC. Commission or J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant Regulatory Flexibility Act, which apply
Secretary, (202) 551–5400, Office of the only when notice and comment are
(g) Additional Information
Secretary, 100 F Street NE, Washington, required by the APA or other law, are
(1) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert DC 20549–9150.
Service Bulletin No. 65.51, Revision 0, dated
not applicable.3 These amendments do
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: not contain any collection of
June 2, 2016, which is not incorporated by
reference, contains additional information I. Background information requirements as defined by
about the subject of this AD. For service the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.4
information identified in this AD, contact In 1972, the Commission began Further, because the amendments
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, compiling and publishing Commission impose no new burdens on private
Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) orders and rulemaking releases in an parties, the Commission does not
641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax (972) 641– SEC Docket for weekly dissemination to believe that the amendments will have
3775; or at http:// the public. The Commission has any impact on competition for purposes
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES

www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/ determined that publishing the SEC
Technical-Support_73.html. You may review of Section 23(a)(2) of the Exchange Act.5
Docket is no longer a cost-efficient way
a copy of the service information at the FAA,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest to disseminate information to the public 15 U.S.C. 553.
Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N– because all materials appearing in the 25 U.S.C. 804(3)(C).
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. SEC Docket have already been posted 3 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in upon release on the SEC public website 4 44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD at www.sec.gov. 5 15 U.S.C. 78w.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:47 May 31, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\01JNR1.SGM 01JNR1

Document Created: 2018-06-01 01:29:42
Document Modified: 2018-06-01 01:29:42

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Rules and Regulations
Action		Final rule; request for comments.
Dates		This AD becomes effective June 18, 2018.
Contact		Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 25363
RIN Number		2120-AA64
CFR Associated		Air Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety

83 FR 25363 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 106 (June 1, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration