Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21683-21685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09373]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6436; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-037-AD; 
Amendment 39-18869; AD 2017-09-07]
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 (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK117 C-2 
helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the pilot collective wiring 
harness and was prompted by a report that the heat-shrinkable sleeve 
prevented the twist grip on the collective from being fully engaged 
during a flight test. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 14, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of June 14, 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-2016-6436.

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-
6436; 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: George Schwab, 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 December 7, 2016, at 81 FR 88143, 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 MBB-
BK 117 C-2 helicopters, serial numbers 9004 through 9708. The NPRM 
proposed to require visually inspecting the pilot collective wiring 
harness for proper installation of the heat-shrinkable and transparent 
sleeves. The proposed requirements were intended to detect an 
incorrectly installed heat-shrinkable sleeve on the collective lever 
wiring harness, which if not corrected, could result in chafing of the 
wiring and subsequent failure of the hoist cable cutter or emergency 
landing gear flotation systems.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2015-0144, dated July 21, 2015, 
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-BK117 C-2 helicopters, up to serial number 9708. 
EASA advises that, during a flight test, the pilot could not fully 
engage a twist grip on a Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopter. According to 
EASA, further investigation found a transparent sleeve on the 
collective lever wiring harness damaged because of incorrect 
installation of the heat-shrinkable sleeve. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in chafing of the harness, leading 
to the malfunction of the affected systems, EASA advises. EASA 
consequently requires a one-time inspection of the heat-shrinkable and 
transparent sleeves installed on the collective lever wiring harness.

Comments

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

[[Page 21684]]

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 compliance time in the EASA AD is based on whether the 
helicopter has an externally mounted hoist or emergency flotation 
system. This AD requires compliance within 100 hours time-in-service 
for all applicable helicopters.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB-BK117 
C-2-88A-010, Revision 1, dated April 16, 2015 (ASB), which specifies a 
visual inspection of the heat-shrinkable sleeve for correct position. 
If the sleeve's position is incorrect, the ASB specifies shortening the 
sleeve. If there is any damage, the ASB calls for replacing the damaged 
parts.
    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 113 helicopters of U.S. Registry 
and that labor costs average $85 a work hour.
    <bullet> Inspecting the pilot collective wiring harness for the 
correct position of the heat-shrinkable sleeve requires 1.5 work hours. 
No parts are required for a total cost of $128 per helicopter and 
$14,464 for the U.S. fleet.
    <bullet> Replacing or repairing the sleeves requires 5.5 work 
hours, and parts cost $10, for a total cost of $478 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.
    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):

2017-09-07 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-18869; 
Docket No. FAA-2016-6436; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-037-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus 
Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, serial numbers 9004 
through 9708, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an incorrectly installed 
heat-shrinkable sleeve on the collective lever wiring harness. This 
condition could result in chafing of the wiring and subsequent 
failure of the hoist cable cutter or emergency landing gear 
flotation systems.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 14, 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

    Within 100 hours time-in-service, remove the pilot collective 
lever and visually inspect the pilot collective lever wiring harness 
for proper installation of the heat-shrinkable sleeve and 
transparent sleeve and for damage in accordance with paragraph 
3.B.2.1 and as depicted in Figure 2 of Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 C-2-88A-010, Revision 1, dated April 16, 
2015 (ASB).
    (1) If the heat-shrinkable sleeve and transparent sleeve are 
installed as depicted in Figure 2 of the ASB and there is no damage, 
install the collective lever in accordance with paragraphs 3.B.2.3.a 
through 3.B.2.3.f of the ASB.
    (2) If the heat-shrinkable sleeve or transparent sleeve is 
installed as depicted in Figure 3, Detail B of the ASB, alter the 
heat-shrinkable sleeve as depicted in Figure 3, Detail C.
    (3) If the transparent sleeve is damaged as depicted in Figure 
4, Detail D of the ASB, replace the heat-shrinkable sleeve, 
transparent sleeve, and identification sleeve. Replace any wire that 
has a nick, scratch, cut, or is frayed.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, 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.

[[Page 21685]]

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0144, dated July 21, 2015. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2016-6436.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Wheel/Ski/Float/
Emergency Equipment, 3246/2560.

(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-2-88A-
010, Revision 1, dated April 16, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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 (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 27, 2017.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09373 Filed 5-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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