DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0696; Product Identifier 2017-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: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK
117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the
rescue hoist cable cut pushbutton flip guard (flip guard). This
proposed AD is prompted by reports of unintended lifting of several
flip guards. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to correct an
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://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 http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0696; 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 Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the
economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. 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
http://www.helicopters.airbus.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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clark Davenport, Flight Test Engineer,
Flight Test Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817 222 5151; email
clark.davenport@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might
result from adopting the proposals in this document. 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.

We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay.
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2017-0038, dated February 22,
2017 (AD No. 2017-0038), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters Models MBB-BK 117 D-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2m helicopters. The
EASA AD advises that multiple events were reported of unintended
lifting of the flip guard and that the flip guard has two stable
positions, open and closed. AD No. 2017-0038 states that if the
unintended lifting is not detected, the requirement for dual action
when activating the rescue hoist cable cut is not guaranteed. According
to EASA, this condition, if not corrected, could result in inadvertent
cutting of the rescue hoist cable and subsequent personal injury.

EASA further advises that Airbus Helicopters has developed an
improved mono-stable (closed) flip guard, and AD No. 2017-0038 requires
installing the new flip guard and re-identifying the collective lever
switch unit.

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
its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known
relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB-BK117
D-2-67A-002, Revision 0, dated January 23, 2017, which contains
procedures for replacing flip guard part number (P/N) 79552176 with
improved flip guard P/N 79553511 and for identifying the collective
lever switch unit with the Alert Service Bulletin number.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require before the next hoist operation or
within 440 hours time in service (TIS), whichever occurs first, replacing
the flip guard with flip guard P/N 79553511 on the collective lever switch
unit.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD applies to Model MBB-BK 117 D-2m helicopters; this
proposed AD would not as these models are not type certificated in the
U.S. Also, the EASA AD requires compliance within 440 hours TIS, this
proposed AD would require compliance before the next hoist operation or
within 440 hours TIS, whichever occurs first. Finally, the EASA AD
requires identifying the collective lever switch unit with the service
information number; this proposed AD would not.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 21 helicopters of
U.S. Registry.

At an average labor rate of $85 per hour, we estimate that
operators would incur the following costs in order to comply with this
proposed AD. Replacing the flip guard would require about 14 hours, and
required parts would cost $735, for a cost per helicopter of $1,925 and
a cost of $40,148 to the U.S. fleet.

According to Airbus Helicopter's service information, some of the
costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control
warranty coverage by Airbus Helicopters. Accordingly, we have included
all costs in our cost estimate.

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 products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We 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. Is not a "significant rule" under the 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 proposed 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.

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

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):