Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14641-14643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05885]



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                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2026 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 14641]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-5040; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01516-R; 
Amendment 39-23292; AD 2026-06-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH

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 Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. 
This AD was prompted by a determination that certain bolts installed on 
the horizontal control rods of the flight controls were not dye 
penetrant inspected for cracks during manufacturing and thus could lead 
to bolt failure. This AD requires replacement of affected bolts with 
bolts that are eligible for installation. This AD also prohibits 
installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 30, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 30, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5040; 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-2025-5040.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aryanna Sanchez, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (817) 222-4058; 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 D-3 helicopters. The NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2025 (90 FR 56070). 
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0228, dated November 28, 2022, 
(EASA AD 2022-0228) (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 a determination was made that bolts 
installed on the horizontal control rods of the flight controls having 
part number D671M7051211 and with a serial number (S/N) listed in the 
applicable material were not subject to a dye penetrant inspection for 
cracks during manufacturing and thus are subject to bolt failure.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of affected 
bolts with bolts that are eligible for installation. The NPRM also 
proposed to prohibit installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent bolt failure, which if not addressed, 
could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5040.

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 2022-0228, which specifies procedures for 
checking (inspecting) the S/N of the bolt, and depending on the results 
of the inspection, replacing any affected bolts with serviceable bolts. 
EASA AD 2022-0228 also prohibits installing an affected bolt 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

    The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 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 146 helicopters of the U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 14642]]

    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 bolt.............................  4 work-hours x $85 per hour         $101         $441         $64,386
                                            = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2026-06-04 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23292; 
Docket No. FAA-2025-5040; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01516-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 30, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotorcraft 
flight control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that certain bolts 
installed on the horizontal control rods of the flight controls were 
not dye penetrant inspected for cracks during manufacturing and thus 
are subject to bolt failure. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
bolt failure, which if not addressed, could result in 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 AD 2022-0228, 
dated November 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0228).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0228

    (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0228 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0228 defines affected bolt as ``Bolts, 
having part number D671M7051211 and a s/n [serial number] as listed 
in the ASB'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``bolts, 
having part number D671M7051211 and a serial number as listed in 
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB-BK117 D-3-67A-002, 
Revision 1, dated July 29, 2024''.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2022-0228 refers to flight hours, this AD 
requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
    (4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies 
``check'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``inspect''.
    (5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies 
``discard'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``remove from 
service''.
    (6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies 
to make the bolt unserviceable, this AD does not require those 
actions.
    (7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2022-0228.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(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 Aryanna Sanchez, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4058; 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.

[[Page 14643]]

    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0228, 
dated November 28, 2022.
    (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 March 18, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05885 Filed 3-25-26; 8:45 am]
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