DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0418; Product Identifier 2017-SW-053-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2
helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery that
certain longitudinal trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw
trim actuators, which are certified for installation on MBB-BK117 C-2
helicopters, were erroneously listed as eligible for installation on
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require removing the
affected parts from service and prohibit installing the affected parts
on MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. 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 8,
2020.

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 above 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 this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort
Worth, TX 76177.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0418;
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 (previously
European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hatfield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110;
email david.hatfield@faa.gov.

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 the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2020-0418;
Product Identifier 2017-SW-053-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.

The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2017-0094, dated May 29, 2017
(EASA AD 2017-0094), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with a
serial number (S/N) up to 20126 inclusive, excluding S/N 20109, 20119,
and 20124. EASA advises that certain part-numbered longitudinal trim
actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators, which are
certified for installation on Model MBB-BK117 C-2 helicopters, were
erroneously listed as eligible for installation on Model MBB-BK117 D-2
helicopters in the applicable illustrated parts catalogue (IPC), up to
Revision 7. EASA AD 2017-0094 states that one or more of these trim
actuators could have been installed in service on Model MBB-BK 117 D-2
helicopters. EASA AD 2017-0094 also states that for Model MBB-BK 117 C-
2 helicopters, it issued EASA AD No. 2013-0182, dated August 12, 2013
(EASA AD 2013-0182), to require a torque check of the attachment screws
and repetitive visual inspections of two of these trim actuators, to
address a possible unsafe condition that, if not detected and
corrected, could lead to reduced control of the helicopter. EASA AD
2013-0182 prompted FAA AD 2016-21-03, Amendment 39-18684 (81 FR 72505,
October 20, 2016). EASA AD 2017-0094 further states that the same
unsafe condition could exist on MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, if equipped
with an affected part. EASA advises that the IPC has been revised, and
to address this condition, EASA AD 2017-0094 requires replacing the
affected parts with parts that are approved for installation on MBB-
BK117 D-2 helicopters. EASA AD 2017-0094 also prohibits the
installation of the affected parts on any helicopter.

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

Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-
BK117 D-2-67A-005, Revision 0, dated April 3, 2017. This service
information contains procedures for replacing the affected parts.

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, within 300 hours time-in-service,
removing longitudinal trim actuator part number (P/N) 418-00878-001,
lateral trim actuator P/N 418-00878-051, and yaw trim actuator P/N 418-
00879-001 from service. This proposed AD would also prohibit the
installation of these part-numbered actuators on Model MBB-BK 117 D-2
helicopters.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

The EASA AD has a compliance time of "Within 400 flight hours, or
within 12 months, whichever occur first" for the replacement. However,
this proposed AD would require replacing affected parts within 300
hours time-in-service instead. The EASA AD prohibits the installation
of an affected actuator on any helicopter, whereas this proposed AD
would prohibit the installation of an affected actuator on any Model
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopter instead.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 29 helicopters
of U.S. registry. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based
on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD.

If required, replacing an actuator would take about 1.5 work-hours
and parts would cost about $20,000 for an estimated cost of $20,128.

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. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

3. 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.

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):