Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29183-29185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11392]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0126; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00266-R; 
Amendment 39-21556; AD 2021-10-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(AHD) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a broken Titanium (Ti) 
bolt. This AD requires removing certain Ti-bolts from service and 
prohibits installing these Ti-bolts in a critical area. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 6, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain document listed in this AD as of July 6, 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 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 at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0126.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by

[[Page 29184]]

searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0126; 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 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:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters 
Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with a Ti-bolt 
part number (P/N) EN3740-060022F marked with manufacturer monogram 
``D'' or with an illegible manufacturer monogram, installed on the aft 
connection of the tail rotor ball bearing control. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on March 3, 2021 (86 FR 12294). In the NPRM, 
the FAA proposed to require removing any affected Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-
060022F from service. The NPRM also to prohibit installing an affected 
Ti-bolt on the aft connection of the ball bearing control of any 
helicopter. The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2019-0258, dated October 
18, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0258), issued by EASA, which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, to correct an unsafe 
condition for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD), formerly 
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH, Model MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters. EASA 
advises of a report of a broken Ti-bolt. Subsequent investigation 
revealed that an improper heat treatment process was accomplished on a 
batch of Ti-bolts, which can lead to hydrogen embrittlement. Hydrogen 
embrittlement can make high-strength bolts susceptible to stress 
corrosion, pitting, and failure. EASA states that this condition, if 
not detected and corrected, could lead to failure of an affected Ti-
bolt installed in a critical location, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the helicopter.
    Accordingly, EASA AD 2019-0258 requires a one-time inspection for 
Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-060022F marked with manufacturer monogram ``D'' or 
with an illegible manufacturer monogram installed on the aft connection 
of the tail rotor ball bearing control (ball bearing control) and, 
depending on findings, contacting AHD for corrective action. EASA AD 
2019-0258 also prohibits the (re)installation of these Ti-bolts.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    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 about the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these helicopters.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB 
MBB-BK117 D-2-00A-001, Revision 1, dated October 16, 2019, which 
specifies replacing each Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-060022F that is marked with 
manufacturer monogram ``D'' or if the manufacturer monogram cannot be 
identified with an airworthy Ti-bolt in both locations of the aft 
connection of ball bearing control and both high frequency (HF) antenna 
bracket locations.
    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

    EASA AD 2019-0258 applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters and 
requires inspecting for Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-060022F marked with 
manufacturer monogram ``D'' or with an illegible manufacturer monogram 
installed on the aft connection of the ball bearing control. This AD 
applies to Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with a Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-
060022F marked with manufacturer monogram ``D'' or with an illegible 
manufacturer monogram installed on the aft connection of the ball 
bearing control instead. EASA AD 2019-0258 requires contacting AHD for 
approved instructions if an affected Ti-bolt is found, whereas this AD 
requires removing an affected Ti-bolt from service instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 29 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this AD.
    Replacing a Ti-bolt takes about 2 work-hours and parts cost about 
$100 for an estimated cost of $270 per Ti-bolt.

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 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) 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.

[[Page 29185]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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:

2021-10-23 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-
21556; Docket No. FAA-2021-0126; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00266-
R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 6, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with 
a Titanium (Ti) bolt part number EN3740-060022F marked with 
manufacturer monogram ``D'' or with an illegible manufacturer 
monogram, installed on the aft connection of the tail rotor ball 
bearing control.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Codes: 1430, Fasteners; 
and 6720, Tail Rotor Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a Ti-bolt with hydrogen embrittlement. 
This condition could result in failure of the tail rotor ball 
bearing control Ti-bolt and subsequent loss of tail rotor control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service or 3 months, whichever 
occurs first, remove any Ti-bolt identified in paragraph (c) of this 
AD, located on the aft connection of the tail rotor ball bearing rod 
end (item 5) and at the input lever (item 2) as shown in Figure 1 to 
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-00A-
001, Revision 1, dated October 16, 2019, from service.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a Ti-
bolt identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on the aft connection of 
the tail rotor ball bearing control of any helicopter.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, 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].
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0258, dated October 18, 2019. 
You may view the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FAA-2021-0126.

(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 No. ASB MBB-BK117 
D-2-00A-001, Revision 1, dated October 16, 2019.
    (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 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 May 7, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-11392 Filed 5-28-21; 8:45 am]
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