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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0308; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00594-R;
Amendment 39-21619; AD 2021-13-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
(AHD) Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model BO-105A, BO-
105C, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by an
uncommanded activation of the hoist cable cutter function on an MBB-
BK117 C-1 helicopter, which prompted a design review of the BO105 hoist
control grip with coiled cable. This AD requires inspections of the
hoist control grip with coiled cable and deactivation of the hoist
cutter function, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now
European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated
by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 17, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 17,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD,
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at
https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material 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. It is also available
in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0308.
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-2021-
0308; 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 final rule, any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Blaine Williams, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch,
Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA
90712; telephone (562) 627-5371; email blaine.williams@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2015-0017, dated February 4, 2015
(EASA AD 2015-0017), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO105 A, BO105 C, BO105 D, BO105 S,
and BO105 LS A-3 helicopters.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Model BO-105A,
BO-105C, BO-105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on April 19, 2021 (86 FR 20341). The NPRM was
prompted by an uncommanded activation of the hoist cable cutter
function on an MBB-BK117 C-1 helicopter which prompted a design review
of the BO105 hoist control grip with coiled cable. The NPRM proposed to
require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2015-0017,
described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD and except as discussed under ``Differences Between this AD
and the EASA AD.''
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded cutting of the
hoist cable and subsequent injury to persons being lifted by the hoist
and injury to persons on the ground. See the EASA AD for additional
background information.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed in
the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
For Model BO105 C, BO105 D, BO105 S, and BO105 LS A-3 helicopters,
EASA AD 2015-0017 specifies to perform an initial and recurring
inspections of the hoist control grip with coiled cable of the hoist
and depending on the results, replacing the hoist control grip with
coiled cable with a serviceable part. EASA AD 2015-0017 also specifies
to replace any hoist control grip with coiled cable that has exceeded
10 years since first installation or since last overhaul and to
deactivate the cable cutter function in accordance with referenced
service information.
EASA AD 2015-0017 also specifies to not operate the hoist on any of
the Model BO105 A, BO105 D, variant BO105 D, and BO105 DS helicopters.
For Model BO105 helicopters, except for BO105 D, variant BO105 D, and
BO105 DS helicopters, EASA specifies to amend the helicopter flight
manual (FM) to incorporate the temporary revision as specified in Table
1 of the EASA AD.
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.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
Where EASA AD 2015-0017 refers to its effective date, this AD
requires using the effective date of the FAA AD. Where EASA AD 2015-
0017 specifies this unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland
GmbH Model BO105 A, BO105 C, BO105 D, BO105 S, and BO105 LS A-3
helicopters, this AD does not include Model BO-105 D helicopters,
because this model is not FAA type-certificated. Where EASA AD 2015-
0017 specifies replacing an affected part, this AD requires removing
the part from service. Where the service information referenced in the
EASA AD refers to calendar time for certain actions, this AD uses hours
time-in-service instead. The EASA AD allows a tolerance to certain
compliance times, whereas this AD does not. The EASA AD requires using
service information to accomplish the preflight checks of the control
grip with coil cable, whereas this AD requires visually checking the
condition of the control grip and coiled cable for mechanical damage
including deformed or damaged switches, damaged housing, abrasion,
cracks, and cuts instead. The owner/operator (pilot) may perform the
required visual checks but must enter compliance with the applicable
paragraph of this AD in the helicopter maintenance records in
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). A
pilot may perform these checks because they only involve visually
checking affected control grips with coiled cable. This action can be
performed equally well by a pilot or a mechanic. This check is an
exception to the FAA's standard maintenance regulations.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD interim action. If final action is later
identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 20 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates that operators may incur the following
costs in order to comply with this AD.
Inspecting the hoist control grip with coiled cable takes up to one
quarter work-hour for an estimated cost of $21 per helicopter and $420
for the U.S. fleet, per inspection cycle. Replacing the hoist control
grip takes about 1 work-hour and parts cost $1,956 for an estimated
cost of $2,041 per helicopter. Replacing the coiled cable takes about
2
work-hours and parts cost $1,858 for an estimated cost of $2,028 per
helicopter. Deactivation of the cable cutter function takes about 1
work hour and parts cost about $26 for an estimated cost $111 per hoist
control grip.
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
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) 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 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:
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