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 duringthe comment period. We will consider all the comments we receive and may conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.
Discussion
This AD is prompted by AD No. 2014-0080, dated March 27, 2014, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopters with a support part number (P/N) 332A25-1334-00 installed. EASA advises of several reports of cracks on the two front attachment points of the support, and that subsequent investigations determined pilot actions on the yaw pedals could generate detrimental loading conditions on the support attachment points and initiate a crack. EASA also states that a crack could lead to structural failure of the support, detachment of the damper unit, possible blocking of the yaw flight control channel, and reduced control of the helicopter. EASA AD No. 2014-0080 requires repetitive inspections of the support and, if thereis a crack, replacing the support.
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 the same type design.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332- 05.00.98, Revision 0, dated March 26, 2014 (ASB), for Model AS332L2 helicopters. This ASB describes procedures for inspecting the support attachment points for a crack and, if there is a crack, requires replacing the support.
AD Requirements
This AD requires, for helicopters with 3,900 or more hours time-in- service (TIS), within 100 hoursTIS and at intervals not exceeding 825 hours TIS, repetitively inspecting each support, P/N 332-A25-1334-00, at its attachment points for a crack. If there is a crack, this AD requires replacing the support before further flight.
Interim Action
We consider this AD to be an interim action. If final action is later identified, we might consider further rulemaking then.
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. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that we will receive any adverse comments or useful information about this AD from U.S. Operators.
Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary because there are none of these products on the U.S. Registry.
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,
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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.