Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 62 (Friday, April 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17275-17278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0801; Product Identifier 2019-SW-101-AD; Amendment 
39-21472; AD 2021-06-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07-08 
for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-
BK 117 D-2 helicopters. AD 2017-07-08 required repetitively inspecting 
each engine mount elastomeric bushing (elastomeric bushing). Since the 
FAA issued AD 2017-07-08, Airbus Helicopters has designed an improved 
engine mount metal bushing (metal bushing). This new AD retains the 
inspection requirements of AD 2017-07-08 and requires replacing each 
affected engine mount bushing with an improved engine mount bushing, 
while also requiring repetitive inspections of the improved engine 
mount bushing. This AD also prohibits installing an elastomeric bushing 
on any helicopter. The actions of this AD are intended to address an 
unsafe condition on these products.

[[Page 17276]]


DATES: This AD is effective May 7, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 7, 2021.

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 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0801.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2020-0801; 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 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 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, AD Program Manager, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to remove AD 2017-07-08, Amendment 39-18846 (82 FR 16895, 
April 7, 2017) (AD 2017-07-08), and add a new AD. AD 2017-07-08 applied 
to Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters and required 
repetitive visual inspections of each elastomeric bushing of the inner 
and outer forward trusses of both engines, and depending on the outcome 
of the inspections, repairing or replacing the elastomeric bushings. AD 
2017-07-08 was prompted by EASA AD 2015-0198, dated September 30, 2015 
(EASA AD 2015-0198), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union. EASA advised that during a 
pre-flight check of a Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter, an elastomeric 
bushing was found delaminated. More cases of delaminated elastomeric 
bushings were reported following additional investigations. According 
to EASA, this condition could lead to cracks and eventually failure of 
the engine mount front support pins, possibly resulting in loss of 
helicopter control.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2020 (85 
FR 52931) and was prompted by EASA issuing a series of ADs to supersede 
EASA AD 2015-0198. EASA issued AD 2019-0030, dated February 13, 2019 
(EASA AD 2019-0030), to supersede EASA AD 2015-0198. EASA AD 2019-0030 
advises that Airbus Helicopters has designed an improved engine mount 
bushing P/N B712M10X1001, which when installed becomes a terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-
60386. Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0030 requires installation of improved 
engine mount bushing P/N B712M10X1001 and also prohibits the 
installation of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 on any Model MBB-BK 
117 D-2 helicopter. Since EASA issued AD 2019-0030, occurrences were 
reported of finding damaged metal bushings. EASA issued AD 2019-0275, 
dated November 7, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0275), which retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2019-0030 and requires repetitive visual 
inspections of the metal bushings. EASA AD 2019-0275 also updates the 
terminology used in the definitions section from affected part to 
elastomeric bushing and from serviceable part to metal bushing. The 
NPRM proposed to retain the repetitive visual inspections of AD 2017-
07-08 and proposed to require installing metal bushing part number (P/
N) B712M10X1001, which would terminate the repetitive inspections of 
elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386. The NPRM also proposed to require 
repetitive inspections of metal bushing P/N B712M10X1001 and prohibit 
the installation of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 on any 
helicopter.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule, but the FAA did not receive any comments on 
the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA of the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is issuing this AD after 
evaluating all of the information provided by EASA and determining the 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
helicopters of these same type design and that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2019-0275 allows a non-cumulative tolerance of 10 hours 
time-in-service for its required compliance times. This AD does not. 
EASA AD 2019-0275 requires reporting inspection results to Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH if any worn or heavily worn metal is 
found, whereas this AD does not.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
MBB-BK117 D-2-71A-002, Revision 1, dated December 14, 2018. This 
service information specifies instructions for repetitive visual 
inspections of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 for defects, 
deformation, separation of the rubber, and missing rubber. If there is 
any deformation or separation of the rubber, this service information 
provides instructions to replace the affected parts with serviceable 
parts. This service information also specifies replacing elastomeric 
bushings P/N 105-60386 with metal bushings P/N B712M10X1001. This 
service information also does not allow the new metal bushings P/N 
B712M10X1001 to be installed on any helicopter together with the 
elastomeric bushings P/N 105-60386. This service information also 
prohibits installing elastomeric bushings P/N 105-60386 after 
installation of new metal bushings P/N B712M10X1001.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-71A-011, 
Revision 0, dated October 16, 2019. This service information specifies 
instructions for repetitive inspections of

[[Page 17277]]

the metal bushings P/N B712M10X1001 of the inner and outer forward 
trusses for worn metal bushings (gapping between the inner and outer 
truss less than 1mm) and heavily worn metal bushings (inner and outer 
metal bushings showing contact marks or worn out metal mesh).
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters AMM BK117 C2C2e, dated 
August 7, 2018. This service information specifies instructions for a 
detailed inspection of the engine mount bushings.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 30 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 
per work-hour.
    Inspecting the engine mount bushings will take about 1 work-hour, 
for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $2,550 for the U.S. 
fleet. Replacing the three engine mount bushings will take about 8 
work-hours and parts would cost about $2,505, for an estimated cost of 
$3,185 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.
    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

    The FAA has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07-08, Amendment 39-18846 
(82 FR 16895, April 7, 2017); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2021-06-05 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Amendment 39-21472; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0801; Product Identifier 2019-SW-101-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters 
Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in 
any category, with an engine mount elastomeric bushing (elastomeric 
bushing) part number (P/N) 105-60386 or an engine mount metal 
bushing (metal bushing) P/N B712M10X1001 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a delaminated 
elastomeric bushing. This condition could result in excessive 
vibration, which could lead to cracking and failure of the engine 
mount front support pins, and loss of helicopter control.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-07-08, Amendment 39-18846 (82 FR 16895, 
April 7, 2017).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 7, 2021.

(e) 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.

(f) Required Actions

    (1) For helicopters with an elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 
installed, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS:
    (i) Visually inspect each elastomeric bushing for separation of 
the rubber from the metal or missing rubber by following Section 
3.B.2 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117 
D-2-71A-002, Revision 1, dated December 14, 2018.
    (ii) If any rubber has separated from the metal or if there is 
missing rubber, before further flight, inspect the elastomeric 
bushing for deformation, corrosion, and mechanical damage.
    (A) Replace the elastomeric bushing with an airworthy engine 
mount bushing if there is any deformation, separation of the rubber 
from the metal, corrosion, or mechanical damage, or repair the 
elastomeric bushing if the deformation, separation of the rubber, 
corrosion, or mechanical damage is within the maximum repair damage 
limitations.
    (B) If the inner and outer parts of the elastomeric bushing are 
separated with missing rubber, before further flight, replace the 
elastomeric bushing with an airworthy engine mount bushing.
    (2) For helicopters with a metal bushing P/N B712M10X1001 
installed, within 100 hours TIS, and thereafter every 100 hours TIS, 
visually inspect the metal bushing of the inner and outer forward 
trusses for gapping between the inner and outer truss, contact marks 
on the inner and outer engine mount bushings, and worn out metal 
mesh.
    (i) If there is gapping between the inner and outer truss less 
than 1mm, within 50 hours TIS, replace the metal bushing with an 
airworthy engine mount bushing.
    (ii) If there is gapping between the inner and outer truss of 
1mm or greater than 1mm, contact marks on the inner or outer engine 
mount bushings, or worn out metal mesh, before further flight, 
replace the metal bushing with an airworthy engine mount bushing.
    (3) For helicopters with an elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 
installed, within 300 hours TIS, replace each elastomeric bushing P/
N 105-60386 with metal bushing P/N B712M10X1001.
    (4) Performing the actions required by paragraph (f)(3) of this 
AD constitutes a terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (5) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install 
elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 on any helicopter.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD 
Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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

[[Page 17278]]

certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    (1) Airbus Helicopters ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-71A-011, Revision 0, 
dated October 16, 2019, and Airbus Helicopters AMM BK117 C2C2e, 
dated August 7, 2018, which are not incorporated by reference, 
contain additional information about the subject of this AD. This 
service information is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (j)(3) and (4) of this AD.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 2019-0275, dated November 7, 2019. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
in Docket No. FAA-2020-0801.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7200, Engine 
(Turbine, Turboprop).

(j) 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 D-2-71A-
002, Revision 1, dated December 14, 2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (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 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 March 5, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06771 Filed 4-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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