Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 26, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19183-19185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08185]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6928; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-018-AD; 
Amendment 39-18864; AD 2017-09-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters (Airbus Helicopters) Model 
MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires 
installing rivets to the air inlet cover rings (rings). This AD was 
prompted by reports of rings detaching. The actions of this AD are 
intended to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 31, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of May 31, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; 
or at https://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub/FO/scripts/myFO_login.php. You may review the referenced service information at 
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also available 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6928.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6928; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any 
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On January 5, 2017, at 82 FR 1252, the Federal Register published 
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters 
Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 (including configuration C-2e) helicopters, serial 
number 9004 through 9725, and Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, serial 
number 20003 through 20045, with an air inlet part number (P/N) 
B212M20C1005 installed. The NPRM proposed inspecting each ring and 
determining if it is loose, and gluing and installing rivets to the 
rings. The proposed requirements were intended to prevent a ring from 
detaching, which could then become stuck between the air inlet and the 
cyclic stick, restricting movement of the cyclic stick. This condition 
could result in loss of helicopter control.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016-0001, dated January 4, 2016, 
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 MBB-BK 117 C-2, Model MBB-BK117 C-2e, Model MBB-BK117 
D-2, and MBB-BK117 D-2m helicopters. EASA advises that a ring detached 
and got stuck between the air inlet and the cyclic stick on a Model 
MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopter and an inspection on another helicopter found 
a second loose cover ring. EASA states that this condition, if not 
corrected, could affect the cyclic stick's range of movement, possibly 
resulting in degraded control of the helicopter. The EASA AD 
consequently requires inspections and reinforcement of the rings' 
installation.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, 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 and that air safety and the public interest require 
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-2m helicopters. This AD 
does not because this model does not have an FAA type certificate. The 
EASA AD requires compliance for Model MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters within 
400 hours time-in-service (TIS), while this AD requires compliance 
within 100 hours TIS. The EASA AD requires marking the air inlet with 
the applicable alert service bulletin once it is glued and riveted, 
while this AD does not.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 C-2-21A-011 for Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and Model MBB-BK117 C-2e 
helicopters and ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-21A-004 for Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 and 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2m helicopters. Both ASBs are Revision 0 and dated 
November 16, 2015. This service information introduces an improved 
attachment method for the ring using rivets. The ASBs specify 
inspecting the air inlet to determine whether the ring is loose, and 
then gluing and riveting the ring to the air inlet at different 
timeframes, depending on whether it is loose.
    This service information 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 141 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these 
estimates, we expect the following costs:

[[Page 19184]]

    Manually inspecting the left and right air inlet cover rings 
requires a half work-hour for a labor cost of $43 per helicopter. No 
parts are needed, so the U.S. fleet cost totals $6,063.
    Riveting the rings requires 2 work-hours for a labor cost of $170 
per helicopter. The cost for parts is minimal for a U.S. fleet cost of 
$23,970.

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 helicopters 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) 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2017-09-02 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-18864; 
Docket No. FAA-2016-6928; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-018-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 C-2 (including configuration C-2e) helicopters, serial 
number 9004 through 9725, and Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, 
serial number 20003 through 20045, certificated in any category, 
with an air inlet part number (P/N) B212M20C1005 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a detached air inlet 
cover ring (ring), which could become stuck between the air inlet 
and the cyclic stick, restricting movement of the cyclic stick. This 
condition could result in loss of helicopter control.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 31, 2017.

(d) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), manually inspect 
each ring to determine if it is loose. If a ring is loose, before 
further flight, glue the ring on the air inlet using an adhesive (CM 
687 or CM 6044 or equivalent) as shown in Figure 1 of Airbus 
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117 C-2-21A-011, 
Revision 0, dated November 16, 2015 (ASB C-2-21A-011), or ASB MBB-
BK117 D-2-21A-004, Revision 0, dated November 16, 2015 (ASB D-2-21A-
004), as applicable to your model helicopter. Rivet the ring to the 
air inlet in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3.B.4.2 through 3.B.4.4 of ASB C-2-21A-011 or paragraphs 
3.B.3.2 through 3.B.3.4 of ASB D-2-21A-004.
    (2) If a ring is not loose, within 400 hours TIS:
    (i) Manually inspect the ring to determine if it is loose. If 
the ring is loose, before further flight, glue the ring on the air 
inlet using an adhesive (CM 687 or CM 6044 or equivalent) as shown 
in Figure 1 of ASB C-2-21A-011 or ASB D-2-21A-004.
    (ii) Rivet the ring to the air inlet in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.3.2 through 3.B.3.4 of 
ASB C-2-21A-011 or paragraphs 3.B.2.2 through 3.B.2.4 of ASB D-2-
21A-004.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an air 
inlet P/N B212M20C1005 on any helicopter unless the ring has been 
riveted to the air inlet in accordance with the requirements of this 
AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 
222-5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2016-0001, dated January 4, 2016. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2016-6928.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2150, Cabin 
Cooling System.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 C-2-21A-
011, Revision 0, dated November 16, 2015.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 D-2-
21A-004, Revision 0, dated November 16, 2015.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in 
this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand 
Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax 
(972) 641-3775; or at https://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub/FO/scripts/myFO_login.php.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call

[[Page 19185]]

(202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 18, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-08185 Filed 4-25-17; 8:45 am]
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