[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26387-26389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12227]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0517; Product Identifier 2017-SW-098-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-BK 
117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require 
altering and re-identifying the overhead panel shock mount assembly 
(shock mount). This proposed AD is prompted by the manufacturer's 
stress recalculations. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to 
correct an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 2018.

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-2018-
0517; 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 proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the 
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations (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.helicopters.airbus.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. 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 Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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. 2017-0026, dated February 14, 
2017, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-
BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK117 C-2e, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK117 D-2m 
helicopters. EASA advises that a recent stress calculation identified 
that the shock mount may not withstand certification crash loads. EASA 
states that this condition, if not corrected, could lead to the 
overhead panel disconnecting during an emergency landing and injuring 
occupants. Accordingly, the EASA AD requires modifying and re-
identifying the shock mounts.

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.

[[Page 26388]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 C-2-24A-015 for Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters and ASB MBB-BK117 
D-2-24A-004 for Model MBB-BK117 D[hyphen]2 helicopters, both Revision 0 
and dated September 14, 2016. This service information contains 
procedures for altering the shock mounts by installing retaining plates 
and re-identifying the shock mounts by changing the last three digits 
of the part number (P/N) to -966.
    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 installing a retaining plate on the 
shock mount and re-identifying the shock mount by changing the last 
three digits of the P/N to -966.
    This proposed AD would also prohibit installing shock mount P/N 
B246M2035102 and P/N B246M2036101 on any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-2m helicopters, whereas 
this proposed AD would not since the Model MBB-BK117 D-2m is not FAA 
type-certificated. This proposed AD would also not include the Model 
MBB-BK117 C-2(e) in the applicability section because it is a marketing 
designation and not an FAA type-certificated model. However, this 
proposed AD would apply to those helicopters, as they are Model MBB-
BK117 C-2 helicopters. The EASA AD specifies particular helicopter 
serial numbers (S/Ns) that may not be required to complete some of the 
requirements of the AD since the specified S/Ns were manufactured with 
shock mounts not affected by the unsafe condition. This proposed AD 
does not specify particular S/Ns.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 144 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.
    Installing retaining plates and re-identifying the four shock 
mounts would take about 3 work-hours and parts would cost about $184 
for a total estimated cost of $439 per helicopter and $63,216 for the 
U.S. fleet.
    According to Airbus Helicopter's service information, some of the 
costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby 
reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control 
warranty coverage by Airbus. Accordingly, we have included all costs in 
our cost estimate.

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: Docket No. FAA-2018-0517; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-098-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters, certificated in any category, with an overhead panel 
shock mount assembly part number (P/N) B246M2035102 or P/N 
B246M2036101 installed.
    Note 1 to paragraph (a) of this AD: Helicopters with an MBB-
BK117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of an overhead 
panel shock mount assembly (shock mount). This condition could 
result in detachment of the overhead panel and injury to occupants 
during an emergency landing.

(c) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 6, 2018.

(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 300 hours time-in-service:
    (i) Install a retaining plate on each shock mount by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 3.B.2.1. through 
3.B.2.4, of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 C-2-24A-015, Revision 0, dated September 14, 2016 (ASB MBB-
BK117 C-2-24A-015), or ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-24A-004, Revision 0, dated 
September 14, 2016 (ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-24A-004), as applicable to 
your model helicopter.
    (ii) Re-identify shock mount P/N B246M2035102 as P/N 
B246M2035966 and shock mount P/N B246M2036101 as P/N B246M2036966 
using permanent ink. When the ink is dry, apply varnish over the P/
N.
    (iii) Re-install each shock mount.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a shock 
mount P/N B246M2035102 or P/N B246M2036101 on any helicopter.

[[Page 26389]]

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards 
Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: 
Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 
Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, 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. 2017-0026, dated February 14, 2017. 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: 2400, Electrical 
Power System.


    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 31, 2018.
James A. Grigg,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12227 Filed 6-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P