Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23751-23753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08487]



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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 77 / Thursday, April 21, 2022 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 23751]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0100; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01128-R; 
Amendment 39-22018; AD 2022-08-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(AHD) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of restricted collective 
lever movement caused by entanglement of the emergency flashlight strap 
with the cargo hook emergency release lever, causing the emergency 
flashlight to leave its seat. This AD requires replacing each affected 
emergency flashlight with a serviceable part, 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 May 26, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 26, 
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. For Airbus Helicopters service 
information identified in this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 
2701 North 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 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-2022-
0100.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0100; 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0231, dated October 15, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0231), to correct an unsafe condition for all serial-
numbered Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-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 (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, certificated 
in any category. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 
15, 2022 (87 FR 8439). The NPRM was prompted by a report of restricted 
collective lever movement caused by entanglement of the emergency 
flashlight strap with the cargo hook emergency release lever, causing 
the emergency flashlight to leave its seat. The NPRM proposed to 
require replacing each affected emergency flashlight with a serviceable 
part, as specified in EASA AD 2021-0231.

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 2021-0231 requires replacing each affected emergency 
flashlight with a serviceable part. EASA AD 2021-0231 also specifies 
that an affected part can be modified and re-identified into a 
serviceable part. EASA AD 2021-0231 also prohibits the 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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB 
MBB-BK117 C-2-25A-021, Revision 0, dated August 25, 2021. This service 
information specifies procedures for removing the strap from the 
emergency flashlight and then writing a new part number on the 
emergency flashlight.

[[Page 23752]]

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2021-0231 requires compliance within 12 months after the 
effective date of the EASA AD, whereas this AD requires compliance 
within 3 months after the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 117 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 an emergency flashlight takes about 1 work-hour and parts 
cost about $219 for an estimated cost of $304 per flashlight and up to 
$35,568 for the U.S. fleet. Alternatively, modifying an emergency 
flashlight takes about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per 
flashlight.

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:

2022-08-15 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-
22018; Docket No. FAA-2022-0100; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01128-
R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 26, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2510, Flight 
Compartment Equipment.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of restricted collective lever 
movement. Subsequent inspection determined that the emergency 
flashlight was stuck under that lever caused by entanglement of the 
emergency flashlight strap with the cargo hook emergency release 
lever, causing the emergency flashlight to leave its seat. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address entanglement of the emergency 
flashlight strap with the cargo hook emergency release lever. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control 
of the helicopter, possibly resulting in damage to the helicopter 
and injury to occupants.

(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 
2021-0231, dated October 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0231).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0231

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0231 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2021-0231.
    (3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0231 requires replacing 
each affected part with a serviceable part within 12 months, this AD 
requires compliance within 3 months after the effective date of this 
AD.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0231 
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 Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 
Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 228-
7330; 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 2021-0231, 
dated October 15, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0231, 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,

[[Page 23753]]

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-
2022-0100.
    (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 April 7, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-08487 Filed 4-20-22; 8:45 am]
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