DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

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

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

DATES: This AD is effective November 12, 2024.

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

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1686; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the EASA AD, any comments received,
and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find
the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1686.

Other Related Material: For Airbus Helicopters material identified
in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, TX 75052; phone: (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax: (972)
641-3775; or at airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hye Yoon Jang, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (206) 231-3758; email: hye.yoon.jang@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters
Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, and SA330J helicopters. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 18, 2024 (89 FR 51468).
The NPRM was prompted by a series of ADs, the most recent being EASA AD
2023-0076, dated April 11, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0076), issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union, to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Model SA
330 J, AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, and AS 332 L1 helicopters.

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

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

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the EASA AD referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and
determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

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

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

Other Related Material

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

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

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

Costs of Compliance

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

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

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

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

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

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive: