Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33108-33110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13127]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0256; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00480-R; 
Amendment 39-21596; AD 2021-12-09]
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 all 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a short circuit in a yaw trim 
actuator connector that occurred during production electrical tests. 
This AD requires replacing certain wire harness trim connector 
backshells (backshells), as specified in a European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 29, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 29, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this

[[Page 33109]]

material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view 
this material 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. It is also available in the AD docket on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0256.

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-2021-
0256; 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 
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: Katherine Venegas, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; telephone (562) 627-
5353; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0198, dated August 15, 2019 
(EASA AD 2019-0198), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD), formerly Eurocopter Deutschland 
GmbH, Model MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters.
    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 Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on April 2, 2021 (86 FR 17322). The NPRM was 
prompted by a short circuit in a yaw trim actuator connector that 
occurred during production electrical tests. Subsequent investigations 
determined that a sharp edge in the backshell damaged the wiring 
insulation. The NPRM proposed to require replacing certain backshells, 
as specified in an EASA AD.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address an unsafe condition that 
could result in yaw or pitch trim runaway and subsequent loss of 
control of the helicopter. See EASA AD 2019-0198 for additional 
background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received comments from one 
commenter; however, none of the comments requested a change to the 
requirements proposed by the NPRM or the determination of the cost to 
the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2019-0198 specifies replacing backshells part number (P/N) 
M85049/90-13W02 if manufactured by AMPHENOL or if the manufacturer is 
unknown (affected part) with backshells P/N M85049/90-13W02 not 
manufactured by AMPHENOL (serviceable part). EASA AD 2019-0198 also 
prohibits the (re-)installation of an affected part.
    This material 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 2019-0198 applies to all Model MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters, 
whereas this AD applies to that model helicopter with an affected part 
installed instead. EASA AD 2019-0198 requires replacing each affected 
part with a serviceable part within 9 months, whereas this AD requires 
that replacement within 30 hours time-in-service instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 30 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on 
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following 
costs in order to comply with this AD.
    Replacing each backshell takes about 8 work-hours and parts cost 
$220, for an estimated cost of $900 per backshell.

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.

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:

2021-12-09 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-
21596; Docket No. FAA-2021-0256; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00480-
R.

[[Page 33110]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 29, 2021.

(b) Affected Airworthiness Directives

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category, 
having an affected part as defined in European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0198, dated August 15, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-
0198).

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2700, Flight Control 
System.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a short circuit in a yaw trim actuator 
connector that occurred during production electrical tests. 
Subsequent investigations determined that a sharp edge in the wire 
harness trim connector backshell damaged the wiring insulation. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address an unsafe condition that could 
result in yaw or pitch trim runaway and subsequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with EASA AD 2019-0198.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0198

    (1) Where EASA AD 2019-0198 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2019-0198 specifies to 
replace each affected part with a serviceable part within 9 months, 
this AD requires replacing each affected part with a serviceable 
part within 30 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (3) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-
0198 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing 
those parts from service.
    (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-
0198 specifies to use tooling, equivalent tooling may be used.
    (5) Paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0198 does not apply to this 
AD; this AD requires compliance with paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0198 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a wire 
harness trim connector backshell identified in paragraph (c) of this 
AD on any helicopter.

 (j) 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 (k) 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Katherine Venegas, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Los Angeles ACO Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5353; email [email protected].

(l) 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0198, 
dated August 15, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2019-0198, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (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. This material may be 
found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0256.
    (5) You may view this material 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 28, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-13127 Filed 6-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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