Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31583-31586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13214]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00155-R; 
Amendment 39-23082; AD 2025-14-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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[[Page 31584]]

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of over-torqued 
swashplate bolts on helicopters in service and in production. This AD 
requires removal of certain swashplate bolts from service and 
replacement with new (never previously installed on a helicopter) 
bolts, a one-time inspection for damage on the threads of the bearing 
ring and control ring of the swashplate and, depending on the results 
of the inspection, corrective actions. This AD also prohibits the 
installation of certain swashplates on any helicopter unless certain 
requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 30, 2025.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 29, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; 
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA 
website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yves Petiote, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (202) 975-4867; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments 
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2025-00155-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The 
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent Yves 
Petiote, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0027, dated February 5, 2025 
(EASA AD 2025-0027) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition on AHD Model MBB-BK117 D-3 and MBB-BK117 D-3m 
helicopters. The MCAI states that an occurrence of over-torqued 
swashplate bolts on helicopters both in service and in production has 
been reported. The MCAI states that over-torquing of the swashplate 
bolts could lead to damage to the swashplate bolts and to the threads 
of the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate and could affect 
the structural integrity of the swashplate. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to detect and correct the condition of the swashplate bolts and damage 
to the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate, which if not 
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
swashplate, loss of main rotor control, and consequent loss of control 
of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1359.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0027, which specifies procedures for 
removal of certain swashplate bolts and replacement with new (never 
previously installed on a helicopter) swashplate bolts, inspection of 
the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate for damage, and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, corrective actions to 
include the replacement of the bearing ring or control ring of the 
swashplate. EASA AD 2025-0027 also prohibits installing an affected 
swashplate unless it passes the specified inspection and the swashplate 
bolts have been replaced with new swashplate bolts.
    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.

FAA's Determination

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this AD 
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

[[Page 31585]]

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 
2025-0027, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except 
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of 
this AD. See ``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI'' for a 
discussion of the general differences included in this AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2025-0027 applies to AHD Model MBB-BK117 D-3m helicopters, 
whereas this AD does not because that model does not have an FAA type 
certificate.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, 
EASA AD 2025-0027 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD 
requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-0027 in its entirety through that 
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in 
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as 
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0027 does not mean 
that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where 
the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance 
times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the 
section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 
2025-0027. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0027 for compliance will 
be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-1359 after 
this AD is published.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the swashplate is a critical component to maintaining 
controlled flight. Over-torquing of the swashplate bolts could damage 
the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate, which could result 
in reduced structural integrity of the swashplate, loss of main rotor 
control, and consequent loss of control of the helicopter. This could 
occur during any phase of flight, without previous indication. For this 
reason, the initial actions required by this AD must be accomplished 
within 50 hours time-in-service or 30 days, whichever occurs first, 
which is shorter than the time necessary for the public to comment and 
for publication of the final rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 50 helicopters of U.S. 
registry. Each swashplate requires 24 swashplate bolts, and the parts 
cost reflects the cost of replacing 24 swashplate bolts.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace swashplate bolts...................  4 work-hours x $85 per hour =         $216       $556       $27,800
                                              $340.
Inspect bearing ring and control ring......  4 work-hours x $85 per hour =            0        340        17,000
                                              $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements 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 these repairs:

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Cost per
            Action                 Labor cost      Parts cost   product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace bearing ring..........  2 work-hours x        $59,672    $59,842
                                 $85 per hour =
                                 $170.
Replace control ring..........  2 work-hours x         20,980     21,150
                                 $85 per hour =
                                 $170.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,

[[Page 31586]]

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2025-14-04 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23082; 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00155-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 30, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of over-torqued swashplate 
bolts on helicopters in service and in production. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct the condition of the 
swashplate bolts and damage to the bearing ring and control ring of 
the swashplate due to over-torquing. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
swashplate, loss of main rotor control, and consequent 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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2025-0027, dated February 5, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0027).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0027

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0027 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0027 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where paragraphs (2) and (3) of EASA AD 2025-0027 specify 
``discrepancy'', this AD requires replacing this text with ``damage 
to the threads''.
    (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2025-0027 specifies ``replace 
that control ring or bearing ring, respectively'', this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``remove from service and replace that 
control ring or bearing ring, respectively''.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0027.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0027 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(j) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(k) 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 (l) of 
this AD and email 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.

(l) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Yves Petiote, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; email: 
[email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0027, 
dated February 5, 2025.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on July 10, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-13214 Filed 7-11-25; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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