Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, 25363-25365 [2018-11446]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Textron apply at a later date for a
change to the type certificate to include
another model incorporating the same
novel or unusual design feature, these
special conditions would apply to that
model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only a certain
novel or unusual design feature on one
model series of airplanes. It is not a rule
of general applicability.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113,
44701, 44702, 44704.
The Special Conditions
Accordingly, pursuant to the
authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the following special
conditions are issued as part of the type
certification basis for Textron Aviation
Inc. Model 700 series airplane:
In lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) through
(b)(4) at Amendment 25–123, each
rechargeable lithium battery installation
must:
1. Be designed to maintain safe cell
temperatures and pressures under all
foreseeable operating conditions to
prevent fire and explosion.
2. Be designed to prevent the
occurrence of self-sustaining,
uncontrollable increases in temperature
or pressure, and automatically control
the charge rate of each cell to protect
against adverse operating conditions,
such as cell imbalance, back charging,
overcharging and overheating.
3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases,
either in normal operation or as a result
of its failure, that may accumulate in
hazardous quantities within the
airplane.
4. Meet the requirements of § 25.863.
5. Not damage surrounding structure
or adjacent systems, equipment, or
electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or
gases that may escape in such a way as
to cause a major or more-severe failure
condition.
6. Have provisions to prevent any
hazardous effect on airplane structure or
systems caused by the maximum
amount of heat it can generate due to
any failure of it or its individual cells.
7. Have a failure sensing and warning
system to alert the flight crew if its
failure affects safe operation of the
airplane.
8. Have a monitoring and warning
feature that alerts the flightcrew when
14:47 May 31, 2018
Jkt 244001
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May
23, 2018.
Victor Wicklund,
Manager, Transport Standards Branch, Policy
and Innovation Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–11455 Filed 5–31–18; 8:45 am]
Authority Citation
The authority citation for these
special conditions is as follows:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
its charge state falls below acceptable
levels if its function is required for safe
operation of the airplane.
9. Have a means to automatically
disconnect from its charging source in
the event of an over-temperature
condition, cell failure or battery failure.
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
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
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.
SUMMARY:
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
https://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.
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
25363
• 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 https://
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 https://
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
matthew.fuller@faa.gov.
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
E:\FR\FM\01JNR1.SGM
01JNR1
25364
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
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.
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES
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,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:47 May 31, 2018
Jkt 244001
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
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 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
E:\FR\FM\01JNR1.SGM
01JNR1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 106 / Friday, June 1, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
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.
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES
(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 9-ASWFTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(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 https://
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:47 May 31, 2018
Jkt 244001
No. 2016–0115–E, dated June 16, 2016. You
may view the EASA AD on the internet at
https://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
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
17 CFR Parts 200 and 201
[Release No. 34–83325]
Technical Amendments to Rules of
Practice and Rules of Organization;
Conduct and Ethics; and Information
and Requests
Securities and Exchange
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; technical
amendments.
AGENCY:
The Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
is making technical amendments to
certain rules of organization and rules of
practice to indicate that Commission
materials will no longer be compiled
and published as the ‘‘SEC Docket’’
(‘‘SEC Docket’’ or ‘‘Docket’’), but will
continue to be available on the SEC
public website.
DATES: Effective Date: June 1, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Hannah Riedel, Senior Counsel, (202)
551–5150, Office of the General
Counsel, Securities and Exchange
Commission or J. Lynn Taylor, Assistant
Secretary, (202) 551–5400, Office of the
Secretary, 100 F Street NE, Washington,
DC 20549–9150.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Background
In 1972, the Commission began
compiling and publishing Commission
orders and rulemaking releases in an
SEC Docket for weekly dissemination to
the public. The Commission has
determined that publishing the SEC
Docket is no longer a cost-efficient way
to disseminate information to the public
because all materials appearing in the
SEC Docket have already been posted
upon release on the SEC public website
at www.sec.gov.
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
25365
In 2013, facing increases in
publication costs and dwindling
subscription numbers, the Commission
began publishing the Docket
electronically on the SEC website.
Producing and posting the SEC Docket
electronically continues to require
significant staff resources. The Office of
the Secretary estimates that
approximately 600 staff hours are
expended annually to prepare the
Docket. Moreover, with Docket
materials already posted elsewhere on
the website several weeks before the
Docket is completed and published, the
Docket generally receives less than
0.01% of all SEC website traffic.
Accordingly, the Commission plans to
immediately discontinue publication of
the SEC Docket but to continue posting
these materials on the SEC website in
real time. In light of this change, the
Commission is adopting technical
amendments to Title 17, Chapter II of
the Code of Federal Regulations to
eliminate references to the SEC Docket
and, where appropriate, replace
references to the SEC Docket with
references to the SEC website.
II. Administrative Law Matters
The Commission finds, in accordance
with the Administrative Procedure Act
(‘‘APA’’), that these revisions relate
solely to agency organization,
procedures, or practice and do not
constitute a substantive rule.
Accordingly, the APA’s provisions
regarding notice of rulemaking,
opportunity for public comment, and
advance publication of the amendments
are not applicable.1 For the same reason,
and because these amendments do not
affect the rights or obligations of nonagency parties, the provisions of the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act are not applicable.2
Additionally, the provisions of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, which apply
only when notice and comment are
required by the APA or other law, are
not applicable.3 These amendments do
not contain any collection of
information requirements as defined by
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.4
Further, because the amendments
impose no new burdens on private
parties, the Commission does not
believe that the amendments will have
any impact on competition for purposes
of Section 23(a)(2) of the Exchange Act.5
15
U.S.C. 553.
U.S.C. 804(3)(C).
3 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
4 44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.
5 15 U.S.C. 78w.
25
E:\FR\FM\01JNR1.SGM
01JNR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25363-25365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11446]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 https://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 https://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
https://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 https://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 https://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