Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7701-7703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02757]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1007; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00324-R; 
Amendment 39-21917; AD 2022-02-20]
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 C-2 and MBB-
BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by report that a 
collective bellcrank-K was found incorrectly installed on a helicopter. 
This AD requires inspecting the collective bellcrank-K to determine if 
it is correctly installed and has a correct position marking and, 
depending on the findings, applicable corrective actions, as specified 
in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is 
incorporated by reference. This AD also allows installation of an 
affected collective bellcrank-K, provided certain instructions are 
followed. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 17, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 
Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1007.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1007; 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 
EASA AD, 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: Hal Jensen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 
20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0074, dated March 15, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0074), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) (formerly Eurocopter Deutschland 
GmbH; and Airbus Helicopters Inc., formerly American Eurocopter LLC) 
Model MBB-BK117 C-2 and 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 all Airbus Helicopters 
Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2021 (86 FR 
67364). The NPRM was prompted by a report that a collective bellcrank-K 
(affected part) was found incorrectly installed on a helicopter. 
Subsequent investigations revealed that the affected part was an in-
service replacement, and that the position marking on that part was 
incorrect. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the collective 
bellcrank-K to determine if it is correctly installed and has a correct 
position marking and, depending on the findings, applicable corrective 
actions, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0074. The NPRM also proposed to 
allow installation of an affected collective bellcrank-K, provided 
certain instructions are followed.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrect installation of a 
collective bellcrank-K, which could lead to unwanted collective input, 
resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. See EASA AD 2021-0074 
for additional background information.

[[Page 7702]]

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. Except for minor editorial changes, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2021-0074 requires a one-time inspection of an affected 
part for correct installation by measuring the distance between the 
front edge of the bearing block and the front edge of the affected 
part, and for correct application of position markings, and, depending 
on the findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions. If an 
affected part is incorrectly installed, the corrective actions include 
inspecting for signs of chafing on the bearing block, the control 
lever, the forked lever, the sliding sleeve, and the bearing ring, 
replacing any parts that have signs of chafing, and installing a 
serviceable bellcrank-K with an applied position marking. If an 
affected part is correctly installed but the position marking is not 
correct, the corrective actions include re-working the affected part or 
replacing the affected part with a serviceable part that has an applied 
position marking. EASA AD 2021-0074 also allows installation of an 
affected part, provided certain instructions are followed.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 140 helicopters of U.S. 
Registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for correct installation     0.50 work-hour x $85 per              $0          $42.50          $5,950
 and position marking.                   hour = $42.50.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements or rework that would be required based on the results of 
the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
helicopters that might need this replacement or rework:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace collective bellcrank-K................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $4,018          $4,698
                                                 $680.
Rework collective bellcrank-K.................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =                  0             170
                                                 $170.
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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:

2022-02-20 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment

[[Page 7703]]

39-21917; Docket No. FAA-2021-1007; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-
00324-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 17, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 
Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6230, Main Rotor 
Mast/Swashplate.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that a collective bellcrank-K 
(affected part) was found incorrectly installed on a helicopter. 
Subsequent investigations found that the affected part was an in-
service replacement, and that the position marking on that part was 
incorrect. The FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrect 
installation of a collective bellcrank-K, which could lead to 
unwanted collective input, resulting in reduced 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2021-0074, dated March 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0074).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0074

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0074 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2021-0074 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0074 specifies discarding a part, this AD requires removing that 
part from service.
    (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0074 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters for instructions to 
rework a bellcrank-K, the rework must be accomplished using a method 
approved by the Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus 
Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0074 specifies to ``forecast the compliance time of Part IV and 
schedule the accomplishment accordingly,'' for clarification, this 
AD requires doing the correction of the position marking of the 
bellcrank-K at the time specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-
0074.
    (6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-
0074 specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters if there is mechanical 
damage or corrosion on the bushings of the bellcrank assembly, this 
AD does not require that action.
    (7) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2021-0074.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0074 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(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 Hal Jensen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024; telephone (202) 267-9167; email 
[email protected].

(l) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0074, 
dated March 15, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0074, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]. You may find the EASA material 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1007.
    (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 January 18, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02757 Filed 2-9-22; 8:45 am]
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