Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 157 (Thursday, August 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49233-49234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17682]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0418; Product Identifier 2017-SW-053-AD; Amendment 
39-21210; AD 2020-17-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery that certain 
longitudinal trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim 
actuators, which are certified for installation on MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters, were erroneously listed as eligible for installation on 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires removing the affected 
parts from service and prohibits installing the affected parts on MBB-
BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 17, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 
75052; phone: 972-641-0000 or 800-232-0323; fax: 972-641-3775; or at 
https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/support.html. You may view 
this service information at the 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0418; 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, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: 817-222-5110; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2020 (85 FR 22684). The 
NPRM was prompted by the discovery that certain longitudinal trim 
actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators, which are 
certified for installation on MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, were 
erroneously listed as eligible for installation on MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require removing the affected parts 
from service and prohibit installing the affected parts on MBB-BK 117 
D-2 helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address erroneously 
installed longitudinal trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw 
trim actuators, which could lead to reduced control of the helicopter.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2017-0094, dated May 
29, 2017 (EASA AD 2017-0094) (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 
117 D-2 helicopters with a serial number (S/N) up to 20126 inclusive, 
excluding S/N 20109, 20119, and 20124. You may examine the MCAI in the 
AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0418.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 D-2-
67A-005, Revision 0, dated April 3, 2017. This service information 
contains procedures for replacing the affected parts.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD has a compliance time of ``Within 400 flight hours, or 
within 12 months, whichever occurs first'' for the replacement. 
However, this AD requires replacing affected parts within 300 hours 
time-in-service instead. The

[[Page 49234]]

EASA AD prohibits the installation of an affected actuator on any 
helicopter, whereas this AD prohibits the installation of an affected 
actuator on any Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD would affect 29 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    If required, replacing an actuator would take about 1.5 work-hours 
and parts would cost about $20,000 for an estimated cost of $20,128.

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.

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):

2020-17-05 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-21210; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0418; Product Identifier 2017-SW-053-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 17, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a 
serial number up to 20126 inclusive, excluding serial numbers 20109, 
20119, and 20124, and with any of the following installed:
    (1) Longitudinal trim actuator part number (P/N) 418-00878-001,
    (2) Lateral trim actuator P/N 418-00878-051, or
    (3) Yaw trim actuator P/N 418-00879-001.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotors flight 
control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery that certain longitudinal 
trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators were 
erroneously listed as eligible for installation on Model MBB-BK 117 
D-2 helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this 
condition, which could lead to reduced control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 300 hours time-in-service, remove from service any 
longitudinal trim actuator P/N 418-00878-001, lateral trim actuator 
P/N 418-00878-051, and yaw trim actuator P/N 418-00879-001.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install 
longitudinal trim actuator P/N 418-00878-001, lateral trim actuator 
P/N 418-00878-051, or yaw trim actuator P/N 418-00879-001 on any 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: David Hatfield, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: 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, 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 
2017-0094, dated May 29, 2017. This EASA AD may be found in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0418.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact David Hatfield, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft 
Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
phone: 817-222-5110; email: [email protected].
    (3) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 D-2-67A-
005, Revision 0, dated April 3, 2017, which is not incorporated by 
reference, contains additional information about the subject of this 
AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus 
Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone: 
972-641-0000 or 800-232-0323; fax: 972-641-3775; or at https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

    Issued on August 7, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-17682 Filed 8-12-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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