[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 3, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12294-12296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03955]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0126; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00266-R]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
(AHD) 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 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a broken 
Titanium (Ti) bolt. This proposed AD would require removing certain Ti-
bolts from service and prohibit installing these Ti-bolts in a critical 
area. 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 April 19, 
2021.

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 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address 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 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 information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0126; 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 (EASA) AD, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, AD Program Manager, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety 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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0126; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-00266-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include

[[Page 12295]]

supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the 
closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
    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 post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

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, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 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.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2019-0258, dated October 18, 
2019, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland 
GmbH (AHD), formerly Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH, Model MBB-BK117 D-2 
helicopters. EASA advises of a report of a broken Ti-bolt. Subsequent 
investigation revealed that an improper heat treatment process was 
accomplished on a batch of Ti-bolts, which can lead to hydrogen 
embrittlement. Hydrogen embrittlement can make high-strength bolts 
susceptible to stress corrosion, pitting, and failure.
    EASA states that this condition, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to failure of an affected Ti-bolt installed in a critical 
location, possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter. 
Accordingly, the EASA AD requires a one-time inspection for Ti-bolt 
part number (P/N) EN3740-060022F marked with manufacturer monogram 
``D'' or with an illegible manufacturer monogram installed on the aft 
connection of the tail rotor ball bearing control (ball bearing 
control) and, depending on findings, contacting AHD for corrective 
action. The EASA AD also prohibits the (re)installation of these Ti-
bolts.

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 Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 
No. ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-00A-001, Revision 1, dated October 16, 2019 (ASB 
MBB-BK117 D-2-00A-001 Rev 1), which specifies replacing each Ti-bolt P/
N EN3740-060022F that is marked with manufacturer monogram ``D'' or if 
the manufacturer monogram cannot be identified with an airworthy Ti-
bolt in both locations of the aft connection of ball bearing control 
and both HF antenna bracket locations.
    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 removing any Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-
060022F marked with manufacturer monogram ``D'' or with an illegible 
manufacturer monogram installed on the aft connection of the ball 
bearing control from service. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
installing an affected Ti-bolt on the aft connection of the ball 
bearing control of any helicopter.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters and requires 
inspecting for Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-060022F marked with manufacturer 
monogram ``D'' or with an illegible manufacturer monogram installed on 
the aft connection of the ball bearing control. This proposed AD 
applies to Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with a Ti-bolt P/N EN3740-
060022F marked with manufacturer monogram ``D'' or with an illegible 
manufacturer monogram installed on the aft connection of the ball 
bearing control instead. The EASA AD requires contacting AHD for 
approved instructions if an affected Ti-bolt is found, whereas this 
proposed AD would require removing an affected Ti-bolt from service 
instead.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD if adopted as proposed, would affect 
29 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may 
incur the following costs in order to comply with this proposed AD.
    Replacing a Ti-bolt would take about 2 work-hours and parts would 
cost about $100 for an estimated cost of $270 per Ti-bolt.

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.

[[Page 12296]]

    For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD): Docket No. FAA-2021-0126; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00266-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by April 19, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to Airbus Helicopters 
Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, 
certificated in any category, with a Titanium (Ti) bolt part number 
EN3740-060022F marked with manufacturer monogram ``D'' or with an 
illegible manufacturer monogram, installed on the aft connection of 
the tail rotor ball bearing control.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Codes: 1430, Fasteners; 
and 6720, Tail Rotor Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a Ti-bolt with hydrogen 
embrittlement. This condition could result in failure of the tail 
rotor ball bearing control Ti-bolt and subsequent loss of tail rotor 
control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 50 hours time-in-service or 3 months, whichever 
occurs first, remove any Ti-bolt identified in paragraph (c) of this 
AD, located on the aft connection of the tail rotor ball bearing rod 
end (item 5) and at the input lever (item 2) as shown in Figure 1 to 
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. ASB MBB-BK117 D-
2-00A-001, Revision 1, dated October 16, 2019, from service.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a Ti-
bolt identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on the aft connection of 
the tail rotor ball bearing control of any helicopter.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Strategic Policy Rotorcraft Section, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Matt Fuller, AD 
Program Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Unit, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email 
[email protected].
    (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 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 information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-
5110.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2019-0258, dated October 18, 
2019. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.

    Issued on February 22, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives Compliance & Airworthiness 
Directive, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03955 Filed 3-2-21; 8:45 am]
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