[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 79 (Thursday, April 23, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22684-22686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08623]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0418; Product Identifier 2017-SW-053-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery that 
certain longitudinal trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw 
trim actuators, which are certified for installation on MBB-BK117 C-2 
helicopters, were erroneously listed as eligible for installation on 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing the 
affected parts from service and prohibit installing the affected parts 
on MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The FAA is proposing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 8, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may 
view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort 
Worth, TX 76177.

[[Page 22685]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0418; 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 NPRM, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously 
European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed 
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, 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

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0418; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-053-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2017-0094, dated May 29, 2017 
(EASA AD 2017-0094), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with a 
serial number (S/N) up to 20126 inclusive, excluding S/N 20109, 20119, 
and 20124. EASA advises that certain part-numbered longitudinal trim 
actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators, which are 
certified for installation on Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters, were 
erroneously listed as eligible for installation on Model MBB-BK117 D-2 
helicopters in the applicable illustrated parts catalogue (IPC), up to 
Revision 7. EASA AD 2017-0094 states that one or more of these trim 
actuators could have been installed in service on Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. EASA AD 2017-0094 also states that for Model MBB-BK 117 C-
2 helicopters, it issued EASA AD No. 2013-0182, dated August 12, 2013 
(EASA AD 2013-0182), to require a torque check of the attachment screws 
and repetitive visual inspections of two of these trim actuators, to 
address a possible unsafe condition that, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to reduced control of the helicopter. EASA AD 
2013-0182 prompted FAA AD 2016-21-03, Amendment 39-18684 (81 FR 72505, 
October 20, 2016). EASA AD 2017-0094 further states that the same 
unsafe condition could exist on MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, if equipped 
with an affected part. EASA advises that the IPC has been revised, and 
to address this condition, EASA AD 2017-0094 requires replacing the 
affected parts with parts that are approved for installation on MBB-
BK117 D-2 helicopters. EASA AD 2017-0094 also prohibits the 
installation of the affected parts on any helicopter.

FAA's Determination

    These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral 
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the 
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA is proposing this AD 
after evaluating all known relevant information and determining that an 
unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of 
the same type design.

Related Service Information

    Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 D-2-67A-005, Revision 0, dated April 3, 2017. This service 
information contains procedures for replacing the affected 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 300 hours time-in-service, 
removing longitudinal trim actuator part number (P/N) 418-00878-001, 
lateral trim actuator P/N 418-00878-051, and yaw trim actuator P/N 418-
00879-001 from service. This proposed AD would also prohibit the 
installation of these part-numbered actuators on Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD has a compliance time of ``Within 400 flight hours, or 
within 12 months, whichever occur first'' for the replacement. However, 
this proposed AD would require replacing affected parts within 300 
hours time-in-service instead. The EASA AD prohibits the installation 
of an affected actuator on any helicopter, whereas this proposed AD 
would prohibit the installation of an affected actuator on any Model 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 29 helicopters 
of U.S. registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based 
on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD.
    If required, replacing an actuator would take about 1.5 work-hours 
and parts would cost about $20,000 for an estimated cost of $20,128.

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

    The FAA 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 above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:

[[Page 22686]]

    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 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-2020-0418; 
Product Identifier 2017-SW-053-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by June 8, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a 
serial number up to 20126 inclusive, excluding serial numbers 20109, 
20119, and 20124, and with any of the following installed:
    (1) Longitudinal trim actuator part number (P/N) 418-00878-001,
    (2) Lateral trim actuator P/N 418-00878-051, or
    (3) Yaw trim actuator P/N 418-00879-001.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotors flight 
control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the discovery that certain longitudinal 
trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators were 
erroneously listed as eligible for installation on MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition, 
which could lead to reduced control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 300 hours time-in-service, remove from service any 
longitudinal trim actuator P/N 418-00878-001, lateral trim actuator 
P/N 418-00878-051, and yaw trim actuator P/N 418-00879-001.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install 
longitudinal trim actuator P/N 418-00878-001, lateral trim actuator 
P/N 418-00878-051, or yaw trim actuator P/N 418-00879-001 on any 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) 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: 
David Hatfield, 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, 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) 
(EASA) AD 2017-0094, dated May 29, 2017. This EASA AD may be found 
in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0418.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, 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 
https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

    Issued on April 17, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08623 Filed 4-22-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P