[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 88143-88145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28670]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6436; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-037-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-
BK117 C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the 
pilot collective wiring harness. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
report that a heat-shrinkable sleeve prevented the twist grip on the 
collective from being fully engaged during a flight test. The proposed 
actions are intended to prevent failure of the hoist or emergency 
landing gear flotation systems due to chafing of wiring caused by an 
incorrectly installed heat-shrinkable sleeve.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 6, 
2017.

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-
6436; or in person at the Docket

[[Page 88144]]

Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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 proposed 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: George Schwab, 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

    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 might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 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 proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015-0144, dated July 21, 2015, 
to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK117 
C-2 helicopters, up to serial number 9708. EASA advises that, during a 
flight test, the pilot could not fully engage a twist grip on a Model 
MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopter. According to EASA, further investigation 
found a transparent sleeve on the collective lever wiring harness 
damaged because of incorrect installation of the heat-shrinkable 
sleeve. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
chafing of the harness, leading to the malfunction of the affected 
systems, EASA advises. EASA consequently requires a one-time inspection 
of the heat-shrinkable and transparent sleeves installed on the 
collective lever wiring harness.

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 
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known 
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB-BK117 
C-2-88A-010, Revision 1, dated April 16, 2015 (ASB), which specifies a 
visual inspection of the heat-shrinkable sleeve for correct position. 
If the sleeve's position is incorrect, the ASB specifies shortening the 
sleeve. If there is any damage, the ASB calls for replacing the damaged 
parts.
    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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 100 hours time-in-service, 
visually inspecting the pilot collective wiring harness for correct 
position of the heat-shrinkable sleeve and the transparent sleeve. If 
the heat-shrinkable and the transparent sleeves are in their correct 
positions, this proposed AD would require re-installing the collective 
lever. If the heat-shrinkable sleeve is closer to or below the torque 
tube tangs, this proposed AD would require shortening the heat-
shrinkable sleeve. If the transparent sleeve is damaged, this proposed 
AD would require replacing the heat-shrinkable sleeve, transparent 
sleeve, and identification sleeve. Lastly, this proposed AD would 
require replacing any damaged wires in the wiring harness.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the TCCA AD

    The compliance time in the EASA AD is based on whether the 
helicopter has an externally mounted hoist or emergency flotation 
system. This proposed AD would require compliance within 100 hours 
time-in-service for all applicable helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 113 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs average $85 a work hour.
     Inspecting the pilot collective wiring harness for the 
correct position of the heat-shrinkable sleeve would require 1.5 work 
hours. No parts would be required for a total cost of $128 per 
helicopter and $14,464 for the U.S. fleet.
     Replacing or repairing the sleeves would require 5.5 work 
hours and parts would cost $10, for a total cost of $478 per 
helicopter.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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

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responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 (AD):

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters: Docket No. FAA-
2016-6436; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-037-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, serial numbers 9004 through 9708, 
certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as an incorrectly installed 
heat-shrinkable sleeve on the collective lever wiring harness. This 
condition could result in chafing of the wiring and subsequent 
failure of the hoist cable cutter or emergency landing gear 
flotation systems.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 6, 2017.

(d) 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.

(e) Required Actions

    Within 100 hours time-in-service, remove the pilot collective 
lever and visually inspect the pilot collective lever wiring harness 
for proper installation of the heat-shrinkable sleeve and 
transparent sleeve and for damage in accordance with paragraph 
3.B.2.1 and as depicted in Figure 2 of Airbus Helicopters Alert 
Service Bulletin MBB-BK117 C-2-88A-010, Revision 1, dated April 16, 
2015 (ASB).
    (1) If the heat-shrinkable sleeve and transparent sleeve are 
installed as depicted in Figure 2 of the ASB and there is no damage, 
install the collective lever in accordance with paragraphs 3.B.2.3.a 
through 3.B.2.3.f of the ASB.
    (2) If the heat-shrinkable sleeve or transparent sleeve is 
installed as depicted in Figure 3, Detail B of the ASB, alter the 
heat-shrinkable sleeve as depicted in Figure 3, Detail C.
    (3) If the transparent sleeve is damaged as depicted in Figure 
4, Detail D of the ASB, replace the heat-shrinkable sleeve, 
transparent sleeve, and identification sleeve. Replace any wire that 
has a nick, scratch, cut, or is frayed.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, 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.

(g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0144, dated July 21, 2015. You may view 
the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in the AD 
Docket.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: Wheel/Ski/Float/
Emergency Equipment, 3246/2560.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 21, 2016.
Lance T. Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-28670 Filed 12-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P