Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11-14]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-24181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01244-R; 
Amendment 39-23219; AD 2025-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
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 Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-
2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of 
damaged hoist hooks and hoist hook nuts. This AD requires performing an 
inspection of the affected hoist hook and affected hook nut and, 
depending on the results of the inspection, replacing the affected 
hoist hook and affected hook nut. This AD also prohibits installing an 
affected assembly (hoist hook attached to the hook damper) on any 
helicopter, and prohibits installing an affected hoist hook on any 
helicopter unless it is installed using updated procedures. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 2026.

[[Page 12]]

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 6, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; 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 
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.
    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. It is also available at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2274.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ramon Walker Perez, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (847) 294-7337; 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 all Airbus Helicopters 
Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 
D-3 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
September 5, 2025 (90 FR 42860). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-
0213, dated December 8, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0213) (also referred to as 
the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. The MCAI states that occurrences of 
damage to the threaded part of the affected hoist hook and to the 
threads of the affected hook nut have been reported. Investigation 
identified galling as the root cause of the damage.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require performing an inspection 
of the affected hoist hook and affected hook nut and, depending on the 
results of the inspection, replacing the affected hoist hook and 
affected hook nut, and installing a serviceable hoist hook in 
accordance with updated installation procedures. In the NPRM, the FAA 
also proposed to prohibit installing an affected assembly (hoist hook 
attached to the hook damper) on any helicopter, and to prohibit 
installing an affected hoist hook on any helicopter unless it is 
installed using updated procedures.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the 
hoist hook and hook nut, which if not corrected, could lead to failure 
of the affected assembly (hoist hook attached to the hook damper), 
which could result in loss of the hoist load and injury to persons.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2274.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, 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 products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0213, which specifies procedures for 
inspecting the affected hoist hook and the affected hook and replacing 
both the hoist hook and hoist nut if any debris, dent, or crack is 
found in accordance with updated installation procedures. EASA AD 2023-
0213 also prohibits installing an affected assembly (hoist hook 
attached to the hook damper) or any higher assembly having an affected 
assembly on a helicopter, and prohibits installing a hoist hook unless 
it is installed using the updated installation procedures. 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 MCAI

    The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-
BK117 D-3m helicopters, whereas this AD does not because that model 
does not have an FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 176 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect hoist hook and hoist nut.........  2 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0         $170         $29,920
                                            = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any 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 
this replacement.

[[Page 13]]



                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Cost per
            Action                Labor cost     Parts cost    product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install hoist hook...........  1 work-hour x         $8,562       $8,647
                                $85 per hour =
                                $85.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2025-25-11 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23219; 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01244-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 6, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of damage to the threaded part 
of the affected hoist hook and the threads of the affected hook nut 
due to galling. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct 
damage to the hoist hook and hook nut, which if not corrected, could 
lead to failure of the affected assembly (hoist hook attached to the 
hook damper), which could result in loss of the hoist load and 
injury to persons.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2023-0213, dated December 8, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0213).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0213

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0213 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0213.

(i) No Reporting or Returning Parts Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0213 specifies 
to submit information and return parts to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not require those actions.

(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 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Ramon A. Walker 
Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7337; email: 
[email protected].

(l) 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 2023-0213, 
dated December 8, 2023.
    (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].


[[Page 14]]


    Issued on December 10, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-24181 Filed 12-31-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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