[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1252-1254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31865]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6928; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-018-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 Helicopters (Airbus Helicopters) 
Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD 
would require installing rivets to the air inlet cover rings (rings). 
This proposed AD is prompted by reports of rings detaching. The actions 
of this proposed AD are intended to prevent the unsafe condition on 
these products.

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

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the

[[Page 1253]]

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-
6928; 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 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: Matt Fuller, Senior 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. 2016-0001, dated January 4, 
2016, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-
BK 117 C-2, Model MBB-BK117 C-2e, Model MBB-BK117 D-2, and MBB-BK117 D-
2m helicopters. EASA advises that a ring detached and got stuck between 
the air inlet and the cyclic stick on a Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopter, 
restricting the cyclic stick's range of movement. According to EASA, an 
inspection on another helicopter found a second loose cover ring. EASA 
states that this condition, if not corrected, could affect the cyclic 
stick's range of movement, possibly resulting in degraded control of 
the helicopter. The EASA AD consequently requires inspections and 
reinforcement of the rings' installation.

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 designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 C-2-21A-011 for Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and Model MBB-BK117 C-2e 
helicopters and ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-21A-004 for Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 and 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2m helicopters. Both ASBs are Revision 0 and dated 
November 16, 2015. This service information introduces an improved 
attachment method for the ring using rivets. The ASBs specify 
inspecting the air inlet to determine whether the ring is loose, and 
then gluing and riveting the ring to the air inlet at different 
timeframes, depending on whether it is loose.
    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 
(TIS), manually inspecting each ring to determine if it is loose. If 
the ring is loose, this proposed AD would require gluing and riveting 
the ring on the air inlet. If the ring is not loose, this proposed AD 
would require, within 400 hours TIS, manually inspecting the ring again 
to determine if it is loose. If the ring is loose, this proposed AD 
would require gluing and riveting the ring on the air inlet. If the 
ring is not loose, this proposed AD would require riveting the ring on 
the air inlet.
    After the effective date of this AD, this proposed AD would 
prohibit installing an air inlet P/N B212M20C1005 on any helicopter 
unless the ring has been riveted to the air inlet in accordance with 
the requirements of this proposed AD.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-2m helicopters. This 
proposed AD would not because this model does not have an FAA type 
certificate. The EASA AD requires compliance for Model MBB-BK117 D-2 
helicopters within 400 hours TIS, while this proposed AD would require 
compliance within 100 hours TIS. The EASA AD requires marking the air 
inlet with the applicable ASB once it is glued and riveted, while this 
proposed AD would not.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 141 helicopters of 
U.S. Registry and that labor costs would average $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these estimates, we expect the following costs:
    Manually inspecting the left and right air inlet cover rings would 
require a half work-hour for a labor cost of $43 per helicopter. No 
parts would be needed, so the U.S. fleet cost would total $6,063.
    Riveting the rings would require 2 work-hours for a labor cost of 
$170 per helicopter. The cost for parts would be minimal for a U.S. 
fleet cost of $23,970.

[[Page 1254]]

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 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-
2016-6928; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-018-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117C-2 (including configuration C-2e) 
helicopters, serial number 9004 through 9725, and Model MBB-BK 117D-
2 helicopters, serial number 20003 through 20045, certificated in 
any category, with an air inlet part number (P/N) B212M20C1005 
installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a detached air inlet 
cover ring (ring), which could become stuck between the air inlet 
and the cyclic stick, restricting movement of the cyclic stick. This 
condition could result in loss of helicopter control.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 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

    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), manually inspect 
each ring to determine if it is loose. If a ring is loose, before 
further flight, glue the ring on the air inlet using an adhesive (CM 
687 or CM 6044 or equivalent) as shown in Figure 1 of Airbus 
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117 C-2-21A-011, 
Revision 0, dated November 16, 2015 (ASB C-2-21A-011), or ASB MBB-
BK117 D-2-21A-004, Revision 0, dated November 16, 2015 (ASB D-2-21A-
004), as applicable to your model helicopter. Rivet the ring to the 
air inlet in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 3.B.4.2 through 3.B.4.4 of ASB C-2-21A-011 or paragraphs 
3.B.3.2 through 3.B.3.4 of ASB D-2-21A-004.
    (2) If a ring is not loose, within 400 hours TIS:
    (i) Manually inspect the ring to determine if it is loose. If 
the ring is loose, before further flight, glue the ring on the air 
inlet using an adhesive (CM 687 or CM 6044 or equivalent) as shown 
in Figure 1 of ASB C-2-21A-011 or ASB D-2-21A-004.
    (ii) Rivet the ring to the air inlet in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.3.2 through 3.B.3.4 of 
ASB C-2-21A-011 or paragraphs 3.B.2.2 through 3.B.2.4 of ASB D-2-
21A-004.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install an air 
inlet P/N B212M20C1005 on any helicopter unless the ring has been 
riveted to the air inlet in accordance with the requirements of this 
AD.

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior 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. 2016-0001, dated January 4, 2016. 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: 2150, Cabin 
Cooling System.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on December 21, 2016.
Lance T. Gant,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-31865 Filed 1-4-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P