Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Helicopters

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12292-12294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04921]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-5393; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00157-R; 
Amendment 39-23277; AD 2026-05-04]
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 A-1, MBB-BK 
117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 
C-1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a main rotor head 
(MRH) having the same part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) as 
another MRH due to incorrect modification instructions where the 
modified part S/N was not re-identified and the MRH can be operated 
with the wrong associated log card if accidently interchanged. This AD 
requires performing a one-time consistency check of the P/N and S/N of 
the MRH, performing corrective actions if applicable, determining if 
the MRH has been modified, and re-identifying the modified MRH. This AD 
also allows replacing the MRH as an optional action and prohibits the 
installation of an affected MRH on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 17, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 17, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5393; 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 this 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-2025-5393.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Promita Dey, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (316) 
946-4106; 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 AHD Model MBB-BK 117 A-
1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and 
MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on December 18, 2025 (90 FR 59078). The NPRM was prompted by 
EASA AD 2025-0028, dated February 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0028) (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 an 
occurrence was reported of two MRHs having an identical P/N and S/N. 
The MCAI further states that a subsequent investigation determined that 
the duplicate identification was due to incorrect modification 
instructions for the MRH in an Airbus Helicopters service information 
notice where the modified part serial number was not re-identified; 
this could result in the MRH being operated with the wrong associated 
log card if incorrectly interchanged.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require performing a one-time 
consistency check of the P/N and S/N of the MRH, performing corrective 
actions if applicable, determining if the MRH has been modified, and 
re-identifying the modified MRH. The NPRM also proposed to allow 
replacing the MRH as an optional action and prohibit the installation 
of an affected MRH on any helicopter.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct the incorrect 
identification

[[Page 12293]]

of S/Ns and P/Ns on MRHs which, if not addressed, could result in 
operation of an MRH and its critical parts beyond certified limits and 
lead to failure of certain parts and consequent loss of control of the 
helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5393.

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 2025-0028, which specifies procedures for 
a one-time consistency check of the P/N and S/N of the MRH to verify 
against the existing helicopter log card or equivalent record and, 
depending on the results, contacting Airbus Helicopters for approved 
instructions. EASA AD 2025-0028 also specifies procedures for 
performing an additional check of the existing helicopter log card or 
equivalent record to determine if the MRH has been modified and 
procedures for re-identifying an MRH that has been modified. EASA AD 
2025-0028 allows replacing the MRH with a serviceable part in 
accordance with the instructions of the applicable Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual as an optional action to accomplishing the initial consistency 
check and the corrective actions. EASA AD 2025-0028 prohibits 
installing an affected MRH on any helicopter.
    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

    Where the MCAI specifies contacting Airbus Helicopters for repair 
instructions, this AD requires using a method approved by the FAA, 
EASA, or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 34 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perform consistency check................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0         $170          $5,780
                                            = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any actions 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 
actions.

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Cost per
            Action                Labor cost     Parts cost    product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review existing helicopter     1 work-hour x             $0          $85
 log card or equivalent         $85 per hour =
 record.                        $85.
Re-identify MRH..............  1 work-hour x              0           85
                                $85 per hour =
                                $85.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the corrective actions specified in this AD.

                                              Optional Action Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                       Labor cost              Parts cost             Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace MRH......................  10 work-hours x $85 per    Up to $89,000.......  Up to $89,850.
                                    hour = $850.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 12294]]

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:

2026-05-04 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Amendment 39-
23277; Docket No. FAA-2025-5393; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00157-
R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 17, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) 
Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-
1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6220, Main Rotor 
Head.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a main rotor head (MRH) 
having the same part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) as another 
MRH due to incorrect modification instructions where the modified 
part S/N was not re-identified and the MRH can be operated with the 
wrong associated log card if accidently interchanged. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect and correct the incorrect identification 
of S/Ns and P/Ns on MRHs which, if not addressed, could result in 
operation of an MRH and its critical parts beyond certified limits 
and lead to failure of certain parts 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 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 
2025-0028, dated February 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0028).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0028

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0028 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0028 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (3) Where paragraphs (2) and (4) of EASA AD 2025-0028 specify 
discrepancy, for the purposes of this AD, a discrepancy can be 
defined as the serial number on the MRH [Main Rotor Head] not 
matching the serial number on the helicopters existing log card or 
equivalent record.
    (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0028 specifies 
``check'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``inspect''.
    (5) Where EASA AD 2025-0028 and the material referenced in EASA 
AD 2025-0028 specifies ``MRH log card'', this AD requires replacing 
that text with ``existing helicopter log card or equivalent 
record''.
    (6) Where EASA AD 2025-0028 or the referenced material specifies 
to contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] to obtain approved instructions, 
or specifies a part is eligible for installation in accordance with 
AH instructions, this AD requires those actions done in accordance 
with a method approved by the Manager, 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.
    (7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0028.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0028 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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 responsible Flight 
Standards 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]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Promita Dey, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (913) 563-8269; 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 2025-0028, 
dated February 7, 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 this 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 February 25, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04921 Filed 3-12-26; 8:45 am]
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