DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0061; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-005-AD;
Amendment 39-18934; AD 2017-13-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2
(including configuration C-2e) and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD
requires replacing the main rotor (M/R) blade vibration absorbers. This
AD was prompted by a report of strong M/R blade vibrations on a Model
MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter. The actions of this AD are intended to
prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 27, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of July 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final 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 http://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html.
You may review the referenced service information at
the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2017-0061.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0061;
or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ADs, any
incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On February 17, 2017, at 82 FR 10978, the Federal Register
published our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus
Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 (including configuration C-2e) and
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with an M/R blade vibration absorber
spacer part number (P/N) 117-801841.11 installed. The NPRM proposed to
require replacing the M/R blade vibration absorbers. The proposed
requirements were intended to prevent damage to a bearing in an M/R
blade vibration absorber. Such damage could result in failure of the
bearing, possibly resulting in the loss of balls and damage to the
helicopter and injury to persons on the ground.
The NPRM was prompted by AD No. 2016-0002, dated January 4, 2016,
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 C-2e, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2m helicopters. EASA advises of damaged bearings
that if not corrected, could lead to the loss of balls from the ball
bearing while the M/R blade is turning, possibly resulting in damage to
the helicopter and injury to persons on the ground. To address this
unsafe condition, EASA requires replacing the spacers with flanged
spacers in the M/R blade vibration absorber and re-identifying the
vibration absorber and M/R blade.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD, but we received no comments on the NPRM.

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 our bilateral agreement with Germany, EASA, its technical
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in
the EASA AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same
type designs and that air safety and the public interest require
adopting the AD requirements as proposed.

Interim Action

We consider this AD to be an interim action. The design approval
holder is currently developing a modification that will address the
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional
rulemaking.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD requires replacing the M/R blade vibration absorber
spacers within 12 months after the effective date of the EASA AD. This
AD requires the replacement within 200 hours TIS. The EASA AD applies
to Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 D-2m helicopters. This AD does
not because Model MBB-BK 117 D-2m helicopters have no FAA type
certificate.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 C-2-62A-009 for Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and C-2e helicopters and ASB
MBB-BK117 D-2-62A-001 for Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 and D-2m helicopters.
The ASBs, both Revision 1 and both dated October 28, 2015, specify
replacing the vibration absorber spacers with flanged spacers to
prevent the balls from escaping from the ball bearings. The ASBs also
provide procedures for re-identifying the M/R blade and vibration
absorber.
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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 136 helicopters of U.S. Registry
and that labor costs average $85 per work-hour. Based on these
estimates, we expect that modifying the M/R blade vibration absorber
spacers and re-identifying the parts require 4 work-hours and parts
cost about $1,439, for a total cost of $1,779 per helicopter and
$241,944 for the U.S. fleet. The cost of recording the new P/N is
minimal.

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.
We are 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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and
(4) 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.
We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply
with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):