[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 78 (Monday, April 26, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21965-21967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08569]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 78 / Monday, April 26, 2021 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 21965]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0335; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01665-R]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 
A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of sudden severe 
vibrations and a cracked open blade trailing edge caused by a loosened 
lead inner weight. This proposed AD would require inspections to 
determine if any bolted main rotor blades are installed, and 
replacement of the affected main rotor blades. 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 10, 
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.
     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; phone: 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. 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-2021-0335; 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 
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt AD, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-
3218; 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-2021-0335; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01665-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 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 
Kathleen Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3218; 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

    Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, which is the aviation authority for Germany, 
has issued German AD D-2005-115, effective March 15, 2005, to correct 
an unsafe condition for Eurocopter Deutschland (now Airbus Helicopters 
Deutschland GmbH) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, 
MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. 
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt advises that during the flight of a BK117 severe 
vibrations suddenly occurred, stemming from a cracked open blade 
trailing edge, which was traced to a loosened lead inner weight bolt. 
Additional inspection revealed extreme cavities of the lead weight 
resulting from the bolting process, which was performed as a repair for 
main rotor blades with bulging in the area of the lead inner weights. 
This condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of control of 
the helicopter.
    Accordingly, the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt AD requires an inspection and 
log card review to determine if any bolted main

[[Page 21966]]

rotor blades are installed, and replacement of the affected main rotor 
blades.

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 the FAA's bilateral agreement with Germany (now a member of the 
European Union), Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, its technical representative, has 
notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA 
is proposing this AD after evaluating all known relevant information 
and determining that the unsafe condition described previously 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 Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-MBB-
BK117-10-125 dated February 14, 2005. This service information 
specifies procedures for an inspection (for cracking of the paint) and 
log card review (for a certain entry or equivalent) to determine if any 
bolted main rotor blades (i.e., main rotor blades with bolted lead 
inner weights) are installed, and replacement of the affected main 
rotor blades.
    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 in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 44 helicopters of U.S. Registry. Labor rates are estimated at 
$85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the 
following costs to comply with this proposed AD.

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255...........................              $0             $255          $11,220
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacements that would be required based on the results of 
any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
helicopters that might need these on-condition replacements:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost                 Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 20 work-hours x $85 per     Up to $23,100 per   Up to $24,800 per
 hour = $1,700 per blade (up to    blade (up to 4      blade (up to 4
 4 blades).                        blades).            blades).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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) 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: Docket No. FAA-2021-0335; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01665-R.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by June 10, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-
BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 
117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters, certificated in any 
category.

[[Page 21967]]

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6210, Main Rotor 
Blades.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of sudden severe vibrations and 
a cracked open blade trailing edge caused by a loosened lead inner 
weight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address bolted lead inner 
weights of the main rotor blade, which could loosen and cause 
cracking of the open blade trailing edge. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in loss of control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, review the 
log card (or equivalent record) and visually inspect each main rotor 
blade to determine if any bolted main rotor blades (i.e., main rotor 
blade with bolted lead inner weight) are installed in accordance 
with paragraphs 2.A.1., 2.B.1., 2.B.2., and 2.B.3. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 
ASB-MBB-BK117-10-125, dated February 14, 2005. If during the review, 
the total hours time-in-service (TIS) cannot be positively 
determined, this AD requires treating that part as having 
accumulated more than 3,000 total hours TIS. If any bolted main 
rotor blade (i.e., main rotor blade with bolted lead inner weight) 
is installed, replace the main rotor blade in accordance with 
paragraph 2.B.4. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter 
Alert Service Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK117-10-125, dated February 14, 
2005, as follows:
    (1) For a bolted main rotor blade that has accumulated less than 
2,300 total hours TIS on the blade since bolting of the lead inner 
weight as of the effective date of this AD: Before accumulating 
2,500 total hours TIS on the blade since bolting of the lead inner 
weights.
    (2) For a bolted main rotor blade that has accumulated 2,300 
total hours TIS up to 3,000 total hours TIS inclusive, on the blade 
since bolting of the lead inner weight as of the effective date of 
this AD: Within 200 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For a bolted main rotor blade that has accumulated more than 
3,000 total hours TIS on the blade since bolting of the lead inner 
weight as of the effective date of this AD: Within 50 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Contacting the Manufacturer To Determine TIS

    Where Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB-MBB-BK117-10-125, 
dated February 14, 2005, specifies to send a form to the 
manufacturer to determine TIS since bolting, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, 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 (j)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Kathleen 
Arrigotti, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
phone and fax: 206-231-3218; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; 
phone: 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 information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (3) The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-Bundesamt 
German AD D-2005-115, effective March 15, 2005. You may view the 
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt German AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket.

    Issued on April 16, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-08569 Filed 4-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P