83 FR 34029 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 139 (July 19, 2018)
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 139 (July 19, 2018)
| Page Range | 34029-34031 | |
| FR Document | 2018-15303 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 34029-34031] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-15303] [[Page 34029]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2018-0091; Product Identifier 2017-SW-054-AD; Amendment 39-19334; AD 2018-15-02] 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) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the tail rotor (TR) pitch rod. This AD is prompted by a report of several cases of damaged TR pitch rod ball joints. The actions of this AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these helicopters. DATES: This AD becomes effective August 3, 2018. We must receive comments on this AD by September 17, 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-2018- 0091; 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, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations (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: David Hatfield, 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 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 Emergency AD No. 2017-0020-E, dated February 7, 2017, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 B, AS 350 BA, AS 350 BB, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, AS 350 B3, AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N and AS 355 NP helicopters with modification (MOD) 075601 or MOD 076602 installed. EASA advises of several reports of damaged horn-side TR pitch rod elastomeric ball joints, and of an on-going investigation to determine the cause of the damage. EASA states that this condition could result in loss of control of the helicopter. To address this unsafe condition, the EASA AD requires repetitive inspections of the TR pitch rod. While the inspections are contained in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the helicopter maintenance manual, the EASA AD reduces the interval from 50 flight hours to 10 flight hours. 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 We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 05.00.86 for Model AS350-series helicopters and EASB No. 05.00.75 for Model AS355-series helicopters, both Revision 1 and both dated February 6, 2017. This service information contains procedures for inspecting the TR pitch change rod elastomeric ball joint for damage. AD Requirements This AD requires, for helicopters with a TR pitch change rod elastomeric ball joint installed, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 10 hours TIS, inspecting each face of the TR pitch rod blade side ball joint for debonding, extrusion, and a crack. If there is debonding, extrusion, or a crack with a circumference of 90 degrees or more, this AD requires replacing the TR pitch rod before further flight. Airbus Helicopters identifies the installation of a TR pitch change rod elastomeric ball joint as MOD 075601 or MOD 076602. Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD The EASA AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS 350 BB helicopters. This AD does not as that model is not type-certificated in the U.S. Interim Action We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is later identified, [[Page 34030]] we might consider further rulemaking then. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this AD affects 896 helicopters of U.S. Registry. We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, inspecting the TR pitch rod ball joint requires 0.5 hour, for a cost of $43 per helicopter and $38,528 for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle. If required, replacing a TR pitch rod requires one work-hour and required parts cost $3,174, for a cost per helicopter of $3,259. FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the inspections required by this AD must be accomplished within 10 hours TIS and thereafter every 10 hours TIS. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason 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. We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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): 2018-15-02 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-19334; Docket No. FAA- 2018-0091; Product Identifier 2017-SW-054-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor (TR) pitch change rod elastomeric ball joint installed. Note 1 to paragraph (a): Airbus Helicopters modification (MOD) 075601 and MOD 076602 consist of replacing the TR pitch change rod with an elastomeric ball joint rod. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a damaged elastomeric ball joint on the TR pitch change rod. This condition could result in failure of the TR pitch change rod and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective August 3, 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 Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 10 hours TIS: (1) Manually induce a flapping movement in the TR blade until the pitch change rod rotates a minimum of 10 degrees. (2) Inspect both faces of the blade side of the ball joint elastomer for debonding, extrusion, and cracks. If there is a crack or any debonding or extrusion with a circumference of 90 or more degrees, before further flight, replace the pitch change rod. (f) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (g) 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: David Hatfield, 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. (h) Additional Information (1) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 05.00.86 and EASB No. 05.00.75, both Revision 1 and both dated February 6, 2017, which are not incorporated by reference, contain 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) Emergency AD No. 2017-0020-E, dated February 7, 2017. You may view the EASA Emergency AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2018-0091. (i) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720 Tail Rotor Control System. [[Page 34031]] Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 6, 2018. Scott A. Horn, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2018-15303 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Comments will be available in the AD reports of damaged horn-side TR pitch
docket shortly after receipt. rod elastomeric ball joints, and of an on-
Federal Aviation Administration For service information identified in going investigation to determine the
this final rule, contact Airbus cause of the damage. EASA states that
14 CFR Part 39 Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, this condition could result in loss of
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0091; Product Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone control of the helicopter. To address this
Identifier 2017–SW–054–AD; Amendment (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax unsafe condition, the EASA AD requires
39–19334; AD 2018–15–02] (972) 641–3775; or at http:// repetitive inspections of the TR pitch
www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/ rod. While the inspections are contained
RIN 2120–AA64
en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. You in the Airworthiness Limitations
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus may review the referenced service Section of the helicopter maintenance
Helicopters information at the FAA, Office of the manual, the EASA AD reduces the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, interval from 50 flight hours to 10 flight
AGENCY: Federal Aviation 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, hours.
Administration (FAA), Department of Fort Worth, TX 76177.
FAA’s Determination
Transportation (DOT). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ACTION: Final rule; request for David Hatfield, Aviation Safety These helicopters have been approved
comments. Engineer, Safety Management Section, by the aviation authority of France and
Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, are approved for operation in the United
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX States. Pursuant to our bilateral
airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; email agreement with France, EASA, its
Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, david.hatfield@faa.gov. technical representative, has notified us
AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS355E, of the unsafe condition described in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, EASA AD. We are issuing this AD
and AS355NP helicopters. This AD Comments Invited because we evaluated all information
requires inspecting the tail rotor (TR) provided by EASA and determined the
This AD is a final rule that involves
pitch rod. This AD is prompted by a unsafe condition exists and is likely to
requirements affecting flight safety, and
report of several cases of damaged TR exist or develop on other helicopters of
we did not provide you with notice and
pitch rod ball joints. The actions of this these same type designs.
an opportunity to provide your
AD are intended to correct an unsafe comments prior to it becoming effective. Related Service Information
condition on these helicopters. However, we invite you to participate in
DATES: This AD becomes effective
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters
this rulemaking by submitting written Emergency Alert Service Bulletin
August 3, 2018. comments, data, or views. We also
We must receive comments on this (EASB) No. 05.00.86 for Model AS350-
invite comments relating to the series helicopters and EASB No.
AD by September 17, 2018. economic, environmental, energy, or 05.00.75 for Model AS355-series
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by federalism impacts that resulted from helicopters, both Revision 1 and both
any of the following methods: adopting this AD. The most helpful dated February 6, 2017. This service
• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to comments reference a specific portion of information contains procedures for
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the the AD, explain the reason for any inspecting the TR pitch change rod
online instructions for sending your recommended change, and include elastomeric ball joint for damage.
comments electronically. supporting data. To ensure the docket
• Fax: 202–493–2251. does not contain duplicate comments, AD Requirements
• Mail: Send comments to the U.S. commenters should send only one copy This AD requires, for helicopters with
Department of Transportation, Docket of written comments, or if comments are a TR pitch change rod elastomeric ball
Operations, M–30, West Building filed electronically, commenters should joint installed, within 10 hours time-in-
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 submit them only one time. We will file service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC in the docket all comments that we not exceeding 10 hours TIS, inspecting
20590–0001. receive, as well as a report summarizing each face of the TR pitch rod blade side
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the each substantive public contact with ball joint for debonding, extrusion, and
‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 FAA personnel concerning this a crack. If there is debonding, extrusion,
p.m., Monday through Friday, except rulemaking during the comment period. or a crack with a circumference of 90
Federal holidays. We will consider all the comments we degrees or more, this AD requires
receive and may conduct additional replacing the TR pitch rod before further
Examining the AD Docket
rulemaking based on those comments. flight. Airbus Helicopters identifies the
You may examine the AD docket on installation of a TR pitch change rod
the internet at http:// Discussion
elastomeric ball joint as MOD 075601 or
www.regulations.gov by searching for EASA, which is the Technical Agent MOD 076602.
and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– for the Member States of the European
0091; or in person at Docket Operations Union, has issued Emergency AD No. Differences Between This AD and the
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 2017–0020–E, dated February 7, 2017, EASA AD
through Friday, except Federal holidays. to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus The EASA AD applies to Airbus
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
The AD docket contains this AD, the Helicopters Model AS 350 B, AS 350 Helicopters Model AS 350 BB
European Aviation Safety Agency BA, AS 350 BB, AS 350 B1, AS 350 B2, helicopters. This AD does not as that
(EASA) AD, the economic evaluation, AS 350 B3, AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 model is not type-certificated in the U.S.
any comments received, and other F1, AS 355 F2, AS 355 N and AS 355
information. The street address for NP helicopters with modification Interim Action
Docket Operations (telephone 800–647– (MOD) 075601 or MOD 076602 We consider this AD to be an interim
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. installed. EASA advises of several action. If final action is later identified,
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![34030 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
we might consider further rulemaking the national Government and the States, (d) Compliance
then. or on the distribution of power and You are responsible for performing each
responsibilities among the various action required by this AD within the
Costs of Compliance
levels of government. specified compliance time unless it has
We estimate that this AD affects 896 For the reasons discussed, I certify already been accomplished prior to that time.
helicopters of U.S. Registry. that this AD:
We estimate that operators may incur (e) Required Actions
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
the following costs in order to comply action’’ under Executive Order 12866; Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and
with this AD. At an average labor rate 2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under thereafter at intervals not exceeding 10 hours
of $85 per hour, inspecting the TR pitch DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures TIS:
rod ball joint requires 0.5 hour, for a (1) Manually induce a flapping movement
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
cost of $43 per helicopter and $38,528 in the TR blade until the pitch change rod
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle. rotates a minimum of 10 degrees.
Alaska to the extent that it justifies
If required, replacing a TR pitch rod (2) Inspect both faces of the blade side of
making a regulatory distinction; and the ball joint elastomer for debonding,
requires one work-hour and required 4. Will not have a significant extrusion, and cracks. If there is a crack or
parts cost $3,174, for a cost per economic impact, positive or negative, any debonding or extrusion with a
helicopter of $3,259. on a substantial number of small entities circumference of 90 or more degrees, before
FAA’s Justification and Determination under the criteria of the Regulatory further flight, replace the pitch change rod.
of the Effective Date Flexibility Act.
We prepared an economic evaluation (f) Special Flight Permits
An unsafe condition exists that of the estimated costs to comply with Special flight permits are prohibited.
requires the immediate adoption of this this AD and placed it in the AD docket. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance
AD without providing an opportunity
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 (AMOCs)
for public comments prior to adoption.
The FAA has found that the risk to the Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation (1) The Manager, Safety Management
flying public justifies waiving notice safety, Incorporation by reference, Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
and comment prior to adoption of this Safety. may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your
proposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
rule because the inspections required by Adoption of the Amendment Engineer, Safety Management Section,
this AD must be accomplished within Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101
10 hours TIS and thereafter every 10 Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator, Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
hours TIS. Therefore, we find good telephone (817) 222–5110; email 9–ASW–
cause that notice and opportunity for the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
FTW–AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
prior public comment are impracticable. follows: (2) For operations conducted under a 14
In addition, for the reason stated above, CFR part 119 operating certificate or under
we find that good cause exists for PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that
making this amendment effective in less DIRECTIVES
you notify your principal inspector, or
than 30 days. ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
continues to read as follows: the local flight standards district office or
Authority for This Rulemaking certificate holding district office, before
Title 49 of the United States Code Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. operating any aircraft complying with this
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue AD through an AMOC.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, (h) Additional Information
section 106, describes the authority of ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness (1) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert
the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII:
directive (AD): Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 05.00.86 and
Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more EASB No. 05.00.75, both Revision 1 and both
detail the scope of the Agency’s 2018–15–02 Airbus Helicopters:
dated February 6, 2017, which are not
authority. Amendment 39–19334; Docket No.
incorporated by reference, contain additional
We are issuing this rulemaking under FAA–2018–0091; Product Identifier
2017–SW–054–AD. information about the subject of this AD. For
the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, service information identified in this AD,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: (a) Applicability contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum
General requirements.’’ Under that This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone
section, Congress charges the FAA with Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax (972)
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in AS350B3, AS350BA, AS355E, AS355F, 641–3775; or at http://
air commerce by prescribing regulations AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/
for practices, methods, and procedures helicopters, certificated in any category, with Technical-Support_73.html. You may review
the Administrator finds necessary for a tail rotor (TR) pitch change rod elastomeric a copy of the service information at the FAA,
ball joint installed. Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
safety in air commerce. This regulation
Note 1 to paragraph (a): Airbus Helicopters Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N–
is within the scope of that authority modification (MOD) 075601 and MOD
because it addresses an unsafe condition 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
076602 consist of replacing the TR pitch (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in
that is likely to exist or develop on change rod with an elastomeric ball joint rod. European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
products identified in this rulemaking
(b) Unsafe Condition Emergency AD No. 2017–0020–E, dated
action.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
This AD defines the unsafe condition as a February 7, 2017. You may view the EASA
Regulatory Findings damaged elastomeric ball joint on the TR Emergency AD on the internet at http://
pitch change rod. This condition could result www.regulations.gov by searching for and
We determined that this AD will not locating it in Docket No. FAA–2018–0091.
in failure of the TR pitch change rod and
have federalism implications under subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Executive Order 13132. This AD will (i) Subject
not have a substantial direct effect on (c) Effective Date Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
the States, on the relationship between This AD becomes effective August 3, 2018. Code: 6720 Tail Rotor Control System.
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Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 6, Examining the AD Docket Consequently, ATR published Revision 15
2018. of the ATR72–101/–201/–102/–202/–211/–
You may examine the AD docket on 212/–212A TL document, which contains
Scott A. Horn,
the internet at http:// new and/or more restrictive CMRs and
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations,
www.regulations.gov by searching for airworthiness limitation tasks.
Compliance & Airworthiness Division,
Aircraft Certification Service. and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– For the reasons described above, this
0166; or in person at Docket Operations [EASA] AD requires accomplishment of the
[FR Doc. 2018–15303 Filed 7–18–18; 8:45 am] actions specified in the ATR72–101/–201/–
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
through Friday, except Federal holidays. 102/–202/–211/–212/–212A TL document
Revision 15, hereafter referred to as ‘the TLD’
The AD docket contains this final rule,
in this [EASA] AD.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION the regulatory evaluation, any This [EASA] AD, in conjunction with two
comments received, and other other [EASA] ADs related to ATR42–200/–
Federal Aviation Administration information. The address for Docket 300/–320 (EASA AD 2017–0221) and
Operations (phone: 800–647–5527) is in ATR42–400/–500 (EASA AD 2017–0222)
14 CFR Part 39 the ADDRESSES section. Comments will aeroplanes, retains the requirements of EASA
be available in the AD docket shortly AD 2009–0241 and EASA AD 2012–0193.
after receipt. Once all these three ADs are effective, EASA
[Docket No. FAA–2018–0166; Product will cancel EASA AD 2009–0242 and EASA
Identifier 2017–NM–169–AD; Amendment FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AD 2012–0193.
39–19331; AD 2018–14–11] Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace This [EASA] AD is revised to provide the
Engineer, International Section, correct issue date (02 May 2017) of the TLD.
RIN 2120–AA64 Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 The original [EASA] AD inadvertently
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; referenced the EASA approval date for that
Airworthiness Directives; ATR–GIE telephone and fax 206–231–3220. document.
Avions de Transport Régional SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This AD requires revising the
Airplanes maintenance or inspection program to
Discussion
AGENCY: Federal Aviation incorporate certain maintenance
We issued a notice of proposed instructions and airworthiness
Administration (FAA), Department of
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR limitations. The unsafe condition is
Transportation (DOT).
part 39 by adding an AD that would fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion
ACTION: Final rule. apply to all ATR–GIE Avions de in principal structural elements, which
Transport Régional Model ATR72 could result in reduced structural
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airplanes. The NPRM published in the integrity of the airplane. You may
airworthiness directive (AD) for all Federal Register on March 22, 2018 (83 examine the MCAI in the AD docket on
ATR–GIE Avions de Transport Régional FR 12508). The NPRM was prompted by the internet at http://
Model ATR72 airplanes. This AD was a determination that more restrictive www.regulations.gov by searching for
prompted by a determination that more maintenance instructions and and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–
restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are necessary. 0166.
airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM proposed to require revising
This AD requires revising the the maintenance or inspection program, Comment
maintenance or inspection program, as as applicable, to incorporate new or We gave the public the opportunity to
applicable, to incorporate new or revised maintenance instructions and participate in developing this final rule.
revised maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations. We are The following presents the comment
airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to address fatigue received on the NPRM and the FAA’s
issuing this AD to address the unsafe cracking, damage, and corrosion in response.
condition on these products. principal structural elements, which
DATES: This AD is effective August 23, could result in reduced structural Request To Correct Typographical
2018. integrity of the airplane. Error
The Director of the Federal Register The European Aviation Safety Agency Empire Airlines asked that
approved the incorporation by reference (EASA), which is the Technical Agent airworthiness limitations (AWL) task
of a certain publication listed in this AD for the Member States of the European number 572401–1, identified in table 1
as of August 23, 2018. Union, has issued EASA AD 2017– to paragraph (h) of this AD, be changed
ADDRESSES: For service information 0223R1, dated December 15, 2017 to AWL task number 572402–1. Empire
identified in this final rule, contact (referred to after this as the Mandatory Airlines stated that AWL task number
ATR–GIE Avions de Transport Régional, Continuing Airworthiness Information, 572401–1 corresponds to maintenance
1, Allée Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe review board report (MRBR) task
Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 condition for all ATR–GIE Avions de numbers ZL–500–01–1 and ZL–600–01–
21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; Transport Régional Model ATR72 1; and the MRBR task numbers ZL–520–
email continued.airworthiness@atr- airplanes. The MCAI states: 01–1 and ZL–620–01–1, identified in
aircraft.com. You may view this service The airworthiness limitations and table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD,
information at the FAA, Transport certification maintenance requirements correspond with AWL task number
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., (CMR) for ATR aeroplanes, which are 572402–1. Empire Airlines provided
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
Des Moines, WA. For information on the approved by EASA, are currently defined and substantiation data to this effect.
availability of this material at the FAA, published in the ATR72–101/–201/–102/– We agree with the commenter that a
202/–211/–212/–212A Time Limits (TL)
call 206–231–3195. It is also available document. These instructions have been
typographical error was made in the
on the internet at http:// identified as mandatory actions for continued AWL task number 572401–1, identified
www.regulations.gov by searching for airworthiness. in table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD.
and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– Failure to accomplish these instructions We have corrected this error
0166. could result in an unsafe condition. accordingly.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:04 Jul 18, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\19JYR1.SGM 19JYR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_34168/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-07-19 01:35:13
Document Modified: 2018-07-19 01:35:13
| 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 August 3, 2018. | |
| Contact | David Hatfield, 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 34029 | |
| RIN Number | 2120-AA64 | |
| CFR Associated | Air Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety |
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