[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44347-44350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17716]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2540; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00158-R]
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 all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-3
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of excessive
vibrations in-flight due to an incorrect installation of the angular
ball bearing of the control ring assembly. This proposed AD would
require a one-time inspection of the affected swashplates and,
depending on
[[Page 44348]]
the results of the inspection, corrective actions. This AD would
prohibit the installation of an affected swashplate on a helicopter,
unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by October 30, 2025.
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 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2540; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
[email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material
on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2540.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zain Jamal, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847)
294-7264; 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 using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2540;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00158-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
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 Zain
Jamal, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. 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 2025-0029, dated February 7, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0029) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK117
D-3 and MBB-BK117 D-3m helicopters. The MCAI states that an occurrence
of excessive vibrations in-flight was reported. The MCAI further states
that subsequent investigations revealed an incorrect installation of
the angular ball bearing of the control ring assembly caused wear of
the axial bearing seat. This condition, if not addressed, could result
in axial play between the swashplate bearing ring assembly and the
control ring assembly and consequent reduced control of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2540.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0029, which specifies procedures for
a one-time inspection of swashplates having part number D623M2050102
and a serial number up to 0487 inclusive and, depending on the
inspection results, accomplishing corrective actions and contacting
Airbus Helicopters for approved repair instructions. Corrective actions
include inspecting the control ring assembly and, depending on the
results, repair or replacement of the control ring assembly or repair
of the surface protection of the control ring assembly. The MCAI also
allows the accomplishment of corrective actions using the instructions
of the applicable Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 62-32-00, 6-7.
Corrective actions specified in the applicable AMM include the
examination of bolts, single row ball bearings, bushings, and washers
and, depending on the results, repair or replacement of these parts, as
applicable.
Additionally, the MCAI allows the installation of an affected
swashplate on a helicopter if it is inspected before it is installed,
and if any corrective actions are completed in accordance with the
instructions of the service material.
This material 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.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
(CAA) of another country and are approved for operation in the United
States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of
Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in
[[Page 44349]]
EASA AD 2025-0029, described previously, as incorporated by reference,
except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory
text of this proposed AD. See ``Differences Between this Proposed AD
and the MCAI'' for a discussion of the general differences included in
this proposed AD.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-3m helicopters, whereas this
proposed AD would not because that model does not have an FAA type
certificate. The MCAI requires reporting inspection results to the
manufacturer, whereas this proposed AD would not. The MCAI does not
apply to helicopters where it cannot be determined that a swashplate
has been inspected, whereas this AD would apply to those helicopters.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some CAA ADs as the primary
source of information for compliance with requirements for
corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with
manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate
EASA AD 2025-0029 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD
would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2025-0029 in its
entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0029 for compliance will be
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2540 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 50 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect swashplate.................... 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $17,000
hour = $340.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need this replacement.
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Inspect control ring assembly....... 4 work-hours x $85 per 4 work-hours x $85 per $340.
hour = $340. hour = $340.
Repair or replace control ring Up to 64 work-hours x Up to $3,300.......... Up to $8,740.
assembly. $85 per hour = $5,440.
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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:
(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-2025-2540;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00158-R.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 30, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
[[Page 44350]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model
MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main Rotor
Mast/Swashplate.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an occurrence of excessive
vibrations in-flight due to an incorrect installation of the angular
ball bearing of the control ring assembly. The FAA is issuing this
AD to detect and correct incorrect installation of the angular ball
bearing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
axial play between the swashplate bearing ring assembly and the
control ring assembly and consequent reduced control of the
helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0029, dated February 7, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0029).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0029
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0029 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0029 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0029 defines ``Affected part'', this AD
adds ``including those where it cannot be determined if the
`Supplementary Inspection--4000 FH' has been accomplished on the
swashplate'' to the end of that definition.
(4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0029 specifies
``check'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``inspect''.
(5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0029 specifies
``Tightening torque inspection of the hexagonal head bolts of the
inner ring and outer ring'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``Tightening torque inspection of the hexagonal head bolts of
the inner ring''.
(6) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2025-0029 specifies ``in case
of finding any discrepancy during the inspection of the control ring
assembly, to accomplish the applicable corrective actions before
next flight, or to contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] for approved
repair instructions and, before next flight, to accomplish those
instructions accordingly'', this AD requires replacing that text
with ``in case of finding any discrepancy during the inspection of
the control ring assembly, before further flight, accomplish the
instructions or corrective actions in accordance with a method
approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or
EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval
(DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-
authorized signature''.
(7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0029.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0029 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) 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 responsible Flight
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to
the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and
email to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Zain Jamal, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: (847) 294-7264; email: [email protected].
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0029,
dated February 7, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-
321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on September 9, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17716 Filed 9-12-25; 8:45 am]
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