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
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each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerningthis 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.