Discussion
EASA has issued AD No. 2007-0312-E, dated December 21, 2007, to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Model AS332L2 helicopters. The MCAI AD prohibits engine failure OEI training for helicopters with MGB modules installed with certain freewheel shafts, mandates inspection of each freewheel shaft at an approved repair station, and mandates replacement if necessary. The MCAI AD also mandates inserting the information prohibiting engine failure OEI training into the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). The MCAI AD was issued following a hard landing, which occurred during in-flight engine failure OEI training after failure of a freewheel unit. In case of a freewheel unit failure on one of the two MGB inputs, either inadvertently or as part of OEI training, the resulting load on the remaining MGB freewheel unit may result in failure of the second freewheel unit. The actions are intended to prevent failure of a freewheel unit and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI AD and the related service information in the AD docket.
Related Service Information
Eurocopter has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.74, dated December 20, 2007, for the Model AS332L2 helicopters, which specifies the need for prohibiting OEI training in certain helicopters with certain freewheel shafts installed in certain MGB main reduction gear modules until those modules with those freewheel shafts are replaced. The actions described in the MCAI AD are intended to correct the same unsafe condition as that identified in the service information.
FAA's Evaluation and Unsafe Condition Determination
The Eurocopter Model AS332L2 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, their technical agent, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 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 Model AS332L2 helicopters of the same type design.
There are no products of this type currently registered in the United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are placed on the U.S. Registry in the future.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI AD
We refer to flight hours as hours time-in-service (TIS). We require replacing each MGB module, listed in the applicability of this AD, within 40 hours TIS rather than using 40 hours TIS for some parts and 200 hours TIS for other parts. Also, we do not use the dates listed in the MCAI AD because the dates have passed.
Costs of Compliance
There are no costs of compliance since there are no helicopters of this type design on the U.S. Registry.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no affected U.S. registered helicopters, we have determined that notice and opportunity for prior public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. However, we invite you to send us any written data, views, or arguments concerning this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section of this AD. Include "Docket No. FAA-2010-1125; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-40- AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.
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 product(s) 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.
Therefore, I certify this AD:
1. Is not a "significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a "significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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, 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: