[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52931-52933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18696]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0801; Product Identifier 2019-SW-101-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2017-07-08 for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. AD 2017-07-08 requires repetitively 
inspecting each engine mount elastomeric bushing (elastomeric bushing). 
Since the FAA issued AD 2017-07-08, Airbus Helicopters has designed an 
improved engine mount metal bushing (metal bushing). This proposed AD 
would retain the inspection requirements of AD 2017-07-08 and would 
require replacing each affected engine mount bushing with an improved 
engine mount bushing, while also requiring repetitive inspections of 
the improved engine mount bushing. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
installing an elastomeric bushing on any helicopter. The actions of 
this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 13, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to https://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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0801; 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 Union 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 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 https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may 
view this 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, AD Program Manager, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, 
General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, 
TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. 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.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will file in the docket all comments received, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this 
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments received on or before the 
closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after 
the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without 
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light 
of the comments received.

[[Page 52932]]

Confidential Business Information

    Confidential Business Information (CBI) is commercial or financial 
information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by 
its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), 
CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to 
this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is 
customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and 
that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you 
clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page 
of your submission containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat 
such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will 
not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing 
CBI should be sent to Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products Section, General 
Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email [email protected]. Any 
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated 
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2017-07-08, Amendment 39-18846 (82 FR 16895, 
April 7, 2017) (``AD 2017-07-08'') for Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK 
117 D-2 helicopters. AD 2017-07-08 requires repetitive visual 
inspections of each elastomeric bushing of the inner and outer forward 
trusses of both engines, and depending on the outcome of the 
inspections, repairing or replacing the elastomeric bushings. AD 2017-
07-08 was prompted by EASA AD No. 2015-0198, dated September 30, 2015 
(EASA AD 2015-0198), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union. EASA advised that during a 
pre-flight check of a Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter, an elastomeric 
bushing was found delaminated. More cases of delaminated elastomeric 
bushings were reported following additional investigations. According 
to EASA, this condition could lead to cracks and eventually failure of 
the engine mount front support pins, possibly resulting in loss of 
helicopter control.

Actions Since AD 2017-07-08 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2017-07-08, EASA has issued a series of ADs 
to supersede EASA AD 2015-0198. EASA issued AD No. 2019-0030, dated 
February 13, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0030), to supersede EASA AD 2015-0198. 
EASA AD 2019-0030 advises that Airbus Helicopters has designed an 
improved engine mount bushing part number (P/N) B712M10X1001, which 
when installed becomes a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386. Accordingly, EASA AD 
2019-0030 requires installation of improved engine mount bushing P/N 
B712M10X1001 and also prohibits the installation of elastomeric bushing 
P/N 105-60386 on any Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter. Since EASA issued 
AD 2019-0030, occurrences were reported of finding damaged metal 
bushings. EASA issued AD No. 2019-0275, dated November 7, 2019 (EASA AD 
2019-0275), which retains the requirements of EASA AD 2019-0030 and 
requires repetitive visual inspections of the metal bushings. EASA AD 
2019-0275 also updates the terminology used in the definitions section 
from affected part to elastomeric bushing and from serviceable part to 
metal bushing.

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.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD allows a non-cumulative tolerance of 10 hours time-in-
service for its required compliance times. This proposed AD does not. 
The EASA AD requires reporting inspection results to Airbus Helicopters 
Deutschland GmbH if any worn or heavily worn metal is found, whereas 
this proposed AD does not.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
MBB-BK117 D-2-71A-002, Revision 1, dated December 14, 2018. This 
service information specifies instructions for repetitive visual 
inspections of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 for defects, 
deformation, separation of the rubber, and missing rubber. If there is 
any deformation or separation of the rubber, this service information 
provides instructions to replace the affected parts with serviceable 
parts. This service information also specifies replacing elastomeric 
bushings P/N 105-60386 with metal bushings P/N B712M10X1001. This 
service information also does not allow the new metal bushings P/N 
B712M10X1001 to be installed on any helicopter together with the 
elastomeric bushings P/N 105-60386. This service information also 
prohibits installing elastomeric bushings P/N 105-60386 after 
installation of new metal bushings P/N B712M10X1001.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-71A-011, 
Revision 0, dated October 16, 2019. This service information specifies 
instructions for repetitive inspections of the metal bushings P/N 
B712M10X1001 of the inner and outer forward trusses for worn metal 
bushings (gapping between the inner and outer truss less than 1mm) and 
heavily worn metal bushings (inner and outer metal bushings showing 
contact marks or worn out metal mesh).
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters AMM BK117 C2C2e, dated 
August 7, 2018. This service information specifies instructions for a 
detailed inspection of the engine mount bushings.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain the repetitive visual inspections of 
AD 2017-07-08 and would propose requiring the installation of metal 
bushing P/N B712M10X1001, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspection of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386. This proposed AD would 
also require repetitive inspections of metal bushing P/N B712M10X1001 
and prohibit the installation of elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 on 
any helicopter.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 30 helicopters 
of U.S. Registry. The FAA estimates that operators may incur the 
following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD. Labor costs 
are estimated at $85 per work-hour.
    Inspecting the engine mount bushings would take about 1 work-hour, 
for an

[[Page 52933]]

estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and $2,550 for the U.S. fleet.
    Replacing the three engine mount bushings would take about 8 work-
hours and parts would cost about $2,505, for an estimated cost of 
$3,185 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.
    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, I certify this proposed regulation:
    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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07-08, Amendment 39-18846 
(82 FR 16895, April 7, 2017); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Docket No. FAA-2020-0801; 
Product Identifier 2019-SW-101-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category, with an 
engine mount elastomeric bushing (elastomeric bushing) part number 
(P/N) 105-60386 or an engine mount metal bushing (metal bushing) P/N 
B712M10X1001 installed.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a delaminated 
elastomeric bushing. This condition could result in excessive 
vibration, which could lead to cracking and failure of the engine 
mount front support pins, and loss of helicopter control.

(c) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-07-08, Amendment 39-18846 (82 FR 16895, 
April 7, 2017).

(d) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by October 13, 2020.

(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

    (1) For helicopters with an elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 
installed, within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS:
    (i) Visually inspect each elastomeric bushing for separation of 
the rubber from the metal or missing rubber by following Section 
3.B.2 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB MBB-BK117 
D-2-71A-002, Revision 1, dated December 14, 2018.
    (ii) If any rubber has separated from the metal or if there is 
missing rubber, before further flight, inspect the elastomeric 
bushing for deformation, corrosion, and mechanical damage.
    (A) Replace the elastomeric bushing with an airworthy engine 
mount bushing if there is any deformation, separation of the rubber 
from the metal, corrosion, or mechanical damage, or repair the 
elastomeric bushing if the deformation, separation of the rubber, 
corrosion, or mechanical damage is within the maximum repair damage 
limitations.
    (B) If the inner and outer parts of the elastomeric bushing are 
separated with missing rubber, before further flight, replace the 
elastomeric bushing with an airworthy engine mount bushing.
    (2) For helicopters with a metal bushing P/N B712M10X1001 
installed, within 100 hours TIS, and thereafter every 100 hours TIS, 
visually inspect the metal bushing of the inner and outer forward 
trusses for gapping between the inner and outer truss, contact marks 
on the inner and outer engine mount bushings, and worn out metal 
mesh.
    (i) If there is gapping between the inner and outer truss less 
than 1mm, within 50 hours TIS, replace the metal bushing with an 
airworthy engine mount bushing.
    (ii) If there is gapping between the inner and outer truss of 
1mm or greater than 1mm, contact marks on the inner or outer engine 
mount bushings, or worn out metal mesh, before further flight, 
replace the metal bushing with an airworthy engine mount bushing.
    (3) For helicopters with an elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 
installed, within 300 hours TIS, replace each elastomeric bushing P/
N 105-60386 with metal bushing P/N B712M10X1001.
    (4) Performing the actions required by paragraph (f)(3) of this 
AD constitutes a terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (5) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install 
elastomeric bushing P/N 105-60386 on any helicopter.

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve 
AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, AD Program 
Manager, Continued Operational Safety Branch, Airworthiness Products 
Section, General Aviation and Rotorcraft Unit, 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, the FAA suggests 
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 Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2019-0275, dated November 7, 2019. You 
may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 
in the AD Docket.

(i) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 7200, Engine 
(Turbine, Turboprop).

    Issued on August 20, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-18696 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
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