Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49791-49793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21342]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0517; Product Identifier 2017-SW-098-AD; Amendment 
39-19443; AD 2018-20-09]
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-BK 117 C-2 
and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires altering and re-
identifying the overhead panel shock mount assembly (shock mount). This 
AD was prompted by the manufacturer's stress recalculations. The 
actions of this AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 7, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of November 7, 
2018.

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 http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. 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-2018-0517.

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-2018-
0517; 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 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 
Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) 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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On June 7, 2018, at 83 FR 26387, 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 and Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with an overhead 
panel shock mount assembly part number (P/N) B246M2035102 or P/N 
B246M2036101 installed. The NPRM proposed to require installing a 
retaining plate on the shock mount and re-identifying the shock mount 
by changing the last three digits of the P/N to -966. The NPRM also 
proposed prohibiting the installation of shock

[[Page 49792]]

mount P/N B246M2035102 and P/N B246M2036101 on any helicopter. The 
proposed requirements were intended to prevent failure of a shock 
mount, which could result in detachment of the overhead panel and 
injury to occupants during an emergency landing.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2017-0026, dated February 14, 2017, 
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, MBB-BK117 C-2e, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and 
MBB-BK117 D-2m helicopters. EASA advises that a recent stress 
calculation identified that the shock mount may not withstand 
certification crash loads. EASA states that this condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to the overhead panel disconnecting during an 
emergency landing and injuring occupants. Accordingly, the EASA AD 
requires modifying and re-identifying the shock mounts.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD, but we did not receive any 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, whereas 
this AD does not since the Model MBB-BK117 D-2m is not FAA type-
certificated. This AD also does not include the Model MBB-BK117 C-2(e) 
in the applicability section because it is a marketing designation and 
not an FAA type-certificated model. However, this AD applies to those 
helicopters, as they are Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters. The EASA AD 
specifies particular helicopter serial numbers (S/Ns) that may not be 
required to complete some of the requirements of the AD since the 
specified S/Ns were manufactured with shock mounts not affected by the 
unsafe condition. This AD does not specify particular S/Ns.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 C-2-24A-015 for Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters and ASB MBB-BK117 
D-2-24A-004 for Model MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters, both Revision 0 and 
dated September 14, 2016. This service information contains procedures 
for altering the shock mounts by installing retaining plates and re-
identifying the shock mounts by changing the last three digits of the 
P/N to -966.
    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 144 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Installing retaining plates and re-identifying the four shock 
mounts takes about 3 work-hours and parts cost about $184 for a total 
estimated cost of $439 per helicopter and $63,216 for the U.S. fleet.
    According to Airbus Helicopter's service information, some of the 
costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the 
cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty 
coverage by Airbus Helicopters. Accordingly, we have included all costs 
in our cost estimate.

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):

2018-20-09 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-19443; 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0517; Product Identifier 2017-SW-098-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with an overhead panel 
shock mount assembly part number (P/N) B246M2035102 or P/N 
B246M2036101 installed.

    Note 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD: Helicopters with an MBB-
BK117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters.


[[Page 49793]]



(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of an overhead 
panel shock mount assembly (shock mount). This condition could 
result in detachment of the overhead panel and injury to occupants 
during an emergency landing.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective November 7, 2018.

(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 300 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Install a retaining plate on each shock mount by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2.1. through 
3.B.2.4, of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 C-2-24A-015, Revision 0, dated September 14, 2016 (ASB MBB-
BK117 C-2-24A-015), or ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-24A-004, Revision 0, dated 
September 14, 2016 (ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-24A-004), as applicable to 
your model helicopter.
    (ii) Re-identify shock mount P/N B246M2035102 as P/N 
B246M2035966 and shock mount P/N B246M2036101 as P/N B246M2036966 
using permanent ink. When the ink is dry, apply varnish over the P/
N.
    (iii) Re-install each shock mount.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a shock 
mount P/N B246M2035102 or P/N B246M2036101 on any helicopter.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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. 2017-0026, dated February 14, 2017. You may 
view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0517.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2400, Electrical 
Power 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 (ASB) MBB-BK117 C-
2-24A-015, Revision 0, dated September 14, 2016.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-24A-004, Revision 0, 
dated September 14, 2016.
    (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 http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html.
    (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 September 24, 2018.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21342 Filed 10-2-18; 8:45 am]
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