Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 6, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62979-62981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21998]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3941; Product Identifier 2015-SW-052-AD; Amendment 
39-21232; AD 2020-18-11]
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 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 
117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 
C-1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports that the adhesive seal 
prevented the doors from jettisoning properly. This AD requires 
removing certain seals, replacing certain seals with newly certified 
seals and revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your 
helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 10, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 10, 
2020.

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.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. 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-2015-
3941; 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (now European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any service information that 
is incorporated by reference, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus 
Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-
BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. The SNPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 28, 2020 (85 FR 23492) (``the SNPRM''). The 
FAA preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 
published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2016 (81 FR 27057) (``the 
NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by reports that the adhesive seal 
prevented the doors from jettisoning properly. The NPRM proposed to 
require removing adhesive seal part number (P/N) 117-800201.01 from the 
exterior and interior of each sliding door. The NPRM also proposed to 
prohibit the installation of this part-numbered adhesive seal on any 
helicopter sliding door. The SNPRM proposed to expand the 
applicability. The SNPRM also proposed to add requirements to replace 
certain seals with newly certified seals and revise the existing RFM 
for your helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the presence 
of sealant on a sliding door, which could result in the door failing to 
jettison and preventing helicopter occupants from exiting the 
helicopter during an emergency.
    EASA, which is the aviation authority for the Member States of the 
European Union, issued EASA AD 2015-0163R1, dated April 27, 2016 
(``EASA AD 2015-0163R1'') (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness

[[Page 62980]]

Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for 
Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-
1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. EASA advised that 
difficulties were reported regarding the jettisoning of doors. The 
malfunction was caused by the adhesive seal, which hampered the free 
movement of the inner handle. According to EASA, a subsequent 
investigation showed that the adhesive seal has mechanical and physical 
properties that do not meet relevant certification requirements. EASA 
stated that this condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead 
to a malfunction of the door's jettisoning mechanism, reducing or 
preventing the evacuation of the helicopter during an emergency, 
possibly resulting in injury to occupants. To address this condition, 
EASA AD 2015-0163R1 required inspecting the exterior and interior door 
jettisoning system on the left and right sliding doors for adhesive 
seal P/N 117-800201.01 and removing those adhesive seals.
    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-2015-3941.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM 
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 
SNPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-
BK11720A-114, Revision 2, dated March 30, 2016, for Model MBB-BK 117 A-
3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 
helicopters. This service information describes procedures for cleaning 
and degreasing the seal installation areas and installing adhesive seal 
P/N 117-800201.02. This service information also specifies flight 
manual revisions with preflight check information for this new seal.
    The FAA also reviewed Section 4--Normal Procedures, of MBB 
Helicopters Flight Manual MBB-BK117 A-3, Revision 17.1, MBB Helicopters 
Flight Manual MBB-BK117 A-4, Revision 16.1, MBB Helicopters Flight 
Manual MBB-BK117 B-1, Revision 20.1, Eurocopter Flight Manual BK117 B-
2, Revision 21.2, and Eurocopter Flight Manual BK117 C-1, Revision 
30.1, each dated March 25, 2015. This revision of the service 
information adds preflight check procedures for ``Jettisonable sliding 
door installed, after ASB-BK117-20A-114'' in Section 4--Normal 
Procedures, Preflight Exterior Check, under both ``Fuselage--right 
side'' and ``Fuselage--left side'' of the existing RFM for your 
helicopter.
    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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD does not mandate the installation of the new adhesive 
seals, whereas this AD does. Model MBB-BK 117 B-2 serial number 7203 is 
affected by the EASA AD but is not affected by this AD because it is 
ineligible for U.S. registration.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 45 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 installed, removing adhesive seals P/N 117-800201.01 would take 
about 0.5 work-hour for an estimated cost of about $43 per helicopter. 
Installing new seals and revising the existing RFM for your helicopter 
would take about 1 work-hour and a set of new seals (4 units) would 
cost about $5 for an estimated cost of $90 per helicopter and $4,050 
for the U.S. fleet.

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):

2020-18-11 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-21232; 
Docket No. FAA-2015-3941; Product Identifier 2015-SW-052-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 10, 2020.

(b) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and 
MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters, certificated in any category.

[[Page 62981]]

(c) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as the presence of sealant 
on a sliding door (door). This condition could result in the door 
failing to jettison, preventing helicopter occupants from exiting 
the helicopter during an emergency.

(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 25 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD:
    (i) For helicopters with adhesive seal part number (P/N) 117-
800201.01 installed on an exterior or interior door, remove adhesive 
seal P/N 117-800201.01 from the interior and exterior of each door, 
remove any adhesive using solvent (CM 202 or equivalent) and remove 
any grease using methyl ethyl ketone (CM 217 or equivalent), and 
install adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.02. Refer to Figures 1 through 
4 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117-20A-114, 
Revision 2, dated March 30, 2016 (ASB MBB-BK117-20A-114) for a 
depiction of the seal installation areas.
    (ii) For helicopters without adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.01 
installed, clean the seal installation areas using solvent (CM 202 
or equivalent), remove any grease using methyl ethyl ketone (CM 217 
or equivalent), and install adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.02. Refer 
to Figures 1 through 4 of ASB MBB-BK117-20A-114 for a depiction of 
the seal installation areas.
    (iii) Revise the Normal Procedures section, Preflight Exterior 
Check, under both ``Fuselage--right side'' and ``Fuselage--left 
side'' of the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for your helicopter 
by adding the information in Figure 1 to paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of 
this AD or by adding the information for ``Jettisonable sliding door 
installed, after ASB-BK117-20A-114'' of the following as applicable 
for your helicopter: MBB Helicopters Flight Manual MBB-BK117 A-3, 
Revision 17.1, MBB Helicopters Flight Manual MBB-BK117 A-4, Revision 
16.1, MBB Helicopters Flight Manual MBB-BK117 B-1, Revision 20.1, 
Eurocopter Flight Manual BK117 B-2, Revision 21.2, or Eurocopter 
Flight Manual BK117 C-1, Revision 30.1, each dated March 25, 2015. 
Using a different document with information identical to the 
information for the ``Jettisonable sliding door installed, after 
ASB-BK117-20A-114'' procedures in the Flight Manual revision 
specified in this paragraph for your helicopter is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. This action may 
be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a 
private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft 
records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with Sec.  
43.9(a)(1) through (4) and Sec.  91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 
maintained as required by Sec.  91.417, Sec.  121.380, or Sec.  
135.439.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR06OC20.000

    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install adhesive 
seal P/N 117-800201.01 on any helicopter door.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD Program 
Manager, Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 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, the FAA suggests 
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 (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2015-
0163R1, dated April 27, 2016. You may view the EASA AD on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2015-3941.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5220, Emergency 
Exits.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117-20A-114, 
Revision 2, dated March 30, 2016.
    (ii) Section 4--Normal Procedures, of MBB Helicopters Flight 
Manual MBB-BK117 A-3, Revision 17.1, dated March 25, 2015.
    (iii) Section 4--Normal Procedures, of MBB Helicopters Flight 
Manual MBB-BK117 A-4, Revision 16.1, dated March 25, 2015.
    (iv) Section 4--Normal Procedures, of MBB Helicopters Flight 
Manual MBB-BK117 B-1, Revision 20.1, dated March 25, 2015.
    (v) Section 4--Normal Procedures, of Eurocopter Flight Manual 
BK117 B-2, Revision 21.2, dated March 25, 2015.
    (vi) Section 4--Normal Procedures, of Eurocopter Flight Manual 
BK117 C-1, Revision 30.1, dated March 25, 2015.
    (3) For 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.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html.
    (4) 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.
    (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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 26, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21998 Filed 10-5-20; 8:45 am]
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