DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1291; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00901-R;
Amendment 39-22811; AD 2024-16-05]
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 SA330J helicopters. This AD was prompted by a
report of a main rotor gearbox (MGB) flange assembly coupling
(coupling) that was incorrectly assembled. This AD requires a one-time
visual inspection to determine correct assembly of each sliding flange
installed on each MGB coupling, and if necessary, further corrective
actions. This AD also prohibits installing certain MGB couplings or any
MGB equipped with certain MGB couplings on any helicopter. These
requirements are 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 October 21, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 21, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1291; 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; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 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 Parkway, 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-2024-1291.

Other Related Service Information: For Airbus Helicopters material,
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: Hal Jensen, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA; 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (303) 342-
1080; email hal.jensen@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0140, dated July 7, 2022 (EASA
AD 2022-0140), to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters
Model SA 330 J helicopters, all serial numbers.

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 SA330J helicopters, certificated in any category. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2024 (89 FR 42397). The
NPRM was prompted by a report of an incorrectly assembled MGB coupling
part number (P/N) 330A32-9392-01 which was installed in the reverse
position, deviating from the assembly instructions.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing the actions
specified in EASA AD 2022-0140, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD and except as discussed under "Differences Between this AD and
the EASA AD." This condition, which if not addressed, could lead to
loss of the drive transmission from the left-hand or right-hand engine,
and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

You may examine EASA AD 2022-0140 in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1291.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the
unsafe condition described in its AD. 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 helicopters.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2022-0140 requires a one-time inspection of the left-hand
and right-hand MGB coupling P/N 330A32-9392-01 for correct assembly. If
any MGB coupling is incorrectly assembled, EASA AD 2022-0140 requires
replacing an affected MGB coupling with a serviceable MGB coupling.
EASA AD 2022-0140 also prohibits installing an affected MGB coupling or
an MGB equipped with an affected coupling installed, on any helicopter
unless it has passed inspection requirements.

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 also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
SA330-65.140, Revision 0, dated June 30, 2022, which specifies
procedures for inspecting the assembly of the MGB coupling by ensuring
the sliding flange is correctly assembled and there is no presence of
embossments. This material also specifies procedures for replacing an
affected MGB coupling with a correctly assembled MGB coupling and
instructions to send affected parts to Airbus Helicopters.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

If any incorrectly assembled MGB coupling is found during the
inspection, EASA AD 2022-0140 requires replacing each affected part
with a serviceable part, whereas this AD requires removing each
affected part from service and replacing it with a serviceable part, as
defined in EASA AD 2022-0140.

Service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0140 specifies
reporting certain information and sending affected parts to Airbus
Helicopters, whereas this AD does not require sending information or
parts to Airbus Helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 7 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.

Visually inspecting each MGB coupling will take approximately 4
work-hours for an estimated cost of $340 per helicopter and up to
$2,380 for the U.S. fleet.

If required, removing and replacing the MGB coupling will take
approximately 8 work-hours and parts will cost approximately $23,215
for an estimated cost of $23,895 per helicopter.

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: