[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6751-6753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02233]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-2843; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-003-AD; 
Amendment 39-18392; AD 2016-03-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-13-01 for 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 
117 C-2 helicopters with a certain Goodrich rescue hoist damper unit 
(damper unit) installed. AD 2014-13-01 required repairing or replacing 
the damper unit or deactivating the rescue hoist. AD 2014-13-01 was 
prompted by a report of an uncommanded detachment of a damper unit from 
the cable. This new AD retains the optional requirement of deactivating 
the rescue hoist, expands the applicability, and requires either 
replacing or modifying the damper unit with a newly developed single-
piece retainer. These actions are intended to prevent the hoist damper 
unit detaching from the cable resulting in loss of an external load or 
person from the helicopter hoist and injury to persons being lifted by 
the hoist.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 24, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of February 24, 
2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by April 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
2843; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, any 
incorporated by reference service information, the economic evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at 
http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 
76177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David N. Hatfield, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments prior to it becoming effective. However, we 
invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written 
comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the 
economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that resulted 
from adopting this AD. The most helpful comments reference a specific 
portion of the AD, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain 
duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written 
comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should 
submit them only one time. We will file in the docket all comments that 
we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public 
contact with FAA personnel concerning this rulemaking during the 
comment period. We will consider all the comments we

[[Page 6752]]

receive and may conduct additional rulemaking based on those comments.

Discussion

    On June 13, 2014, we issued AD 2014-13-01, Amendment 39-17875 (79 
FR 36635, June 30, 2014), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with certain part-numbered 
damper units installed. AD 2014-13-01 required either repairing the 
damper unit, replacing the damper unit with a repaired damper unit, or 
deactivating the rescue hoist system.
    AD 2014-13-01 was prompted by AD No. 2014-0057, dated March 6, 
2014, and corrected March 7, 2014, issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
advised that a damper unit detached from the cable when the hoist 
damper was lifted by hand with no load attached. According to EASA, the 
retaining ring inside the damper unit was not located in the proper 
position because of a maintenance error or as a result of interference 
with the bonding strap unit during normal use. To address this unsafe 
condition, EASA AD No. 2014-0057 required modifying the bonding strap 
unit installation with an improved retaining ring and post-modification 
repetitive inspection.

Actions Since AD 2014-13-01 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2014-13-01, a damper unit with the improved 
retaining ring detached from its strap. Additionally, this damper unit 
was approved for installation on Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 D-
2 helicopters. EASA issued Emergency AD No. 2015-0019-E, dated February 
5, 2015, which superseded EASA AD No. 2014-0057, to add Model MBB-BK117 
D-2 helicopters to the applicability. Airbus subsequently introduced a 
new single-piece retainer part number (P/N) B851M2060201 to strengthen 
the interconnection of the damper unit and attached cable.
    EASA has revised Emergency AD No. 2015-0019-E by issuing EASA AD 
No. 2015-0019R1, dated February 13, 2015, for Model MBB-BK117 C-2 and 
MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters with a Goodrich external mounted hoist. EASA 
AD No. 2015-0019R1 introduces installation of single-piece retainer P/N 
B851M2060201 as an option for compliance and allows installation of 
damper units provided if equipped with the new single-piece retainer.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of 
Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with Germany, EASA, its technical 
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in 
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same 
type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 
(ASB) No. ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-85A-041, Revision 4, dated February 12, 
2015, for Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters and Emergency ASB No. ASB 
MBB-BK117 D-2-85A-002, Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015, for Model 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. These Emergency ASBs specify replacing the 
split retainers with a single-piece retainer and re-identifying the 
damper housing.
    This service information 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires, before the next hoist operation, either replacing 
the damper unit with a unit that has been repaired in accordance with 
the service information, deactivating the rescue hoist, or replacing 
each split retainer with a single-piece retainer and marking the damper 
housing in accordance with the service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 137 helicopters of U.S. Registry. 
We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to 
comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. We 
estimate it takes 1 work-hour to replace a damper unit and $8,715 for 
the required parts for a total cost of $8,800 per helicopter. We 
estimate it takes 0.5 work-hour to deactivate a rescue hoist for a 
total cost of $43 per helicopter. We estimate it takes 2 work-hours to 
replace the split retainer with a single-piece retainer and $171 for 
the required parts for a total cost of $341 per helicopter.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    Providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adopting 
these AD requirements would delay implementing the safety actions 
needed to correct this known unsafe condition. Therefore, we find that 
the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment 
prior to the adoption of this rule because the required corrective 
actions must be completed before the next hoist operation.
    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and contrary to 
the public interest and that good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that 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, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that 
it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
    4. 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

[[Page 6753]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-13-01, Amendment 39-17875 (79 FR 36635, June 30, 2014), and adding 
the following new AD:

2016-03-05 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-18392; 
Docket No. FAA-2016-2843; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-003-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters with a Goodrich hoist damper unit, part number (P/N) 
44307-480, 44307-480-1, or 44307-480-2 installed, certificated in 
any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as uncommanded detachment 
of the external hoist damper unit, which could result in loss of an 
external load or person from the helicopter hoist, resulting in 
injury to persons being lifted by the hoist.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-13-01, Amendment 39-17875 (79 FR 
36635, June 30, 2014).

(d) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 24, 2016.

(e) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(f) Required Actions

    Before the next hoist operation, comply with paragraph (f)(1), 
(f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Replace the split retainers and re-identify each hoist 
damper unit in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraph 3.B.1, of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-85A-041, Revision 4, dated 
February 12, 2015, or Emergency ASB No. ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-85A-002, 
Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015, as applicable to your model 
helicopter; or
    (2) Replace each hoist damper unit with a unit that has been 
repaired as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD; or
    (3) Deactivate the rescue hoist system.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: David N. Hatfield, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-
5110; email [email protected].
    (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating 
certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you 
notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office or 
certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft 
complying with this AD through an AMOC.

(h) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0019R1, dated February 13, 2015. You may 
view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2016-2843.

(i) Subject

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

(j) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-85A-041, Revision 4, dated February 12, 2015.
    (ii) Airbus Helicopters Emergency ASB No. ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-85A-
002, Revision 1, dated February 12, 2015.
    (3) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in 
this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, 
Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; 
fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 29, 2016.
Lance T. Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-02233 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P