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2021-16-17 AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH (AHD): Amendment 39-21680; Docket No. FAA-2021-0450; Project Identifier 2017-SW-100-AD.
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 13, 2021.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    None.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD  applies to  Airbus Helicopters  Deutschland GmbH  (AHD) Model
    MBB-BK  117 D-2  helicopters, certificated  in any  category, with  an
    affected main gearbox or affected rotor mast nut as identified in Note
    1  of European  Aviation Safety  Agency (now  European Union  Aviation
    Safety Agency) (EASA) AD 2017-0037,  dated February 22, 2017 (EASA  AD
    2017-0037) installed.

(d) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200 Main gearbox.

(e) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This AD  was prompted  by the  discovery that  certain parts  that are
    approved  for  installation  on multiple  helicopter  models  are life
    limited parts when installed on  Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters  and
    some   helicopter   delivery  documents   excluded   the  life   limit
    information. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent certain parts  from
    remaining in service beyond their fatigue life. The unsafe  condition,
    if not  addressed, could  result in  failure of  the part  and loss of
    control of the helicopter.

(f) COMPLIANCE

    Comply  with this  AD within  the compliance  times specified,  unless
    already done.

(g) REQUIREMENTS

    Except as specified in paragraph (h)  of this AD:  Comply with all re-
    quired actions and  compliance times specified  in, and in  accordance
    with, EASA AD 2017-0037.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2017-0037

(1) Where EASA AD 2017-0037 refers to its effective date, this AD requires
    using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where EASA AD 2017-0037 refers to flight hours (FH),  this AD requires
    using hours time-in-service (TIS).

(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2017-0037  requires determining  the FH
    (total hours  TIS) accumulated  by the  affected rotor  mast nut since
    first  installation on  a helicopter,  this AD  requires removing  the
    rotor mast nut from service  before further flight if the  total hours
    TIS cannot be determined.

(4) Where the service information  referenced  in  Note 3 of EASA AD 2017-
    0037 specifies to use a vibrograph  to mark the new part number,  this
    AD requires using a vibro etch.

(5) Where  paragraph (4)  of  EASA AD 2017-0037  requires  replacing  each
    affected rotor  mast nut  with a  not affected  rotor mast  nut before
    exceeding 3,708  FH (total  hours TIS)  since first  installation on a
    helicopter, this  AD requires  removing each  affected rotor  mast nut
    from service before accumulating 3,708 total hours TIS.

(6) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2017-0037 requires replacing  each part
    as identified in Table 2 of EASA AD 2017-0037 before exceeding the  FH
    (total hours  TIS) limit,  this AD  requires removing  each part  from
    service before exceeding the total hours TIS limit.

(7) Paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2017-0037 does not apply to this AD.

(8) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2017-0037 does not apply to this AD.

(i) 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 local Flight Standards District 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  (j) of  this AD.  Information may  be
    emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,  notify your appropriate principal in-
    spector, or lacking  a principal inspector,  the manager of  the local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(j) RELATED INFORMATION

    For more information about this AD,  contact Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace
    Engineer, Dynamic Systems Section, Technical Innovation Policy Branch,
    Policy & Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX
    76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email rao.edupuganti@faa.gov.

(k) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) The Director of the Federal Register  approved  the  incorporation  by
    reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under  5
    U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use  this service information as applicable to do the actions
    required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) EASA AD 2017-0037, dated February 22, 2017.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA AD 2017-0037,  contact  EASA,  Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,  50668
    Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu
    internet www.easa.europa.eu.

(4) 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.  For  information  on  the  availability of this
    material at the FAA,  call (817) 222-5110.  This material may be found
    in the AD docket  on the internet  at  https://www.regulations.gov  by
    searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0450.

(5) You may view this service information  that is incorporated  by refer-
    ence at the National Archives and Records Administration  (NARA).  For
    information on the availability of this material  at NARA,  email: fr.
    inspection@nara.gov,   or   go  to:  https://www.archives.gov/federal-
    register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Issued on July 30, 2021.  Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthi-
ness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Rao Edupuganti,  Aerospace Engineer, Dy-
namic Systems Section,  Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy & Inno-
vation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone
(817) 222-5110; email rao.edupuganti@faa.gov.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39


[Docket No. FAA-2021-0450; Project Identifier 2017-SW-100-AD; Amendment
39-21680; AD 2021-16-17]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
(AHD) Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2
helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery that certain parts
that are approved for installation on multiple helicopter models are
life limited parts when installed on Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters
and some helicopter delivery documents excluded the life limit
information. This AD requires determining the total hours time-in-
service (TIS) of a certain part-numbered rotor mast nut and re-
identifying a certain part-numbered rotor mast nut. This AD also
requires establishing a life limit for a certain part-numbered rotor
mast nut and helical gear support, and removing each part from service
before reaching its life limit. Additionally, this AD requires
replacing a certain part-numbered main gearbox (MGB) with a not
affected MGB as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now
European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated
by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 13, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 13,
2021.

ADDRESSES: For EASA 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 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
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817)
222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0450.

Examining the AD Docket


You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0450; 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 street 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
: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer,
Dynamic Systems Section, Technical Innovation Policy Branch, Policy &
Innovation Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
telephone (817) 222-5110; email rao.edupuganti@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
:

Background

EASA AD 2017-0037, dated February 22, 2017 (EASA AD 2017-0037),
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union, to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (formerly Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH),
Airbus Helicopters Inc. (formerly American Eurocopter LLC) Model MBB-BK
117 D-2 and MBB-BK117 D-2m helicopters.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters
Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, with an
affected MGB or affected rotor mast nut as identified in Note 1 of EASA
AD 2017-0037. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 7,
2021 (86 FR 30218). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery that certain
parts that are approved for installation on multiple helicopter models
are life limited parts when installed on Model MBB-BK 117 D-2
helicopters and some helicopter delivery documents excluded the life
limit information, The NPRM proposed to require accomplishing the
actions specified in EASA AD 2017-0037, described previously, as
incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD and except as discussed
under ``Differences Between this AD and EASA AD 2017-0037.'' The FAA is
issuing this AD to address an unsafe condition on these products. See
EASA AD 2017-0037 for additional background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive


Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

These helicopters 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 reviewed the relevant
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51


EASA AD 2017-0037 requires establishing a life limit for rotor mast
nut part number (P/N) D632K1133-201 and helical gear support P/N
D632K1113-201, and replacing these parts before exceeding their life
limit. EASA AD 2017-0037 also requires replacing each rotor mast nut P/
N D632K1133-201 for which the hours TIS are unknown and replacing
certain part-numbered rotor mast nuts before accumulating 3,708 hours
TIS since first installation on a helicopter. EASA AD 2017-0037
requires re-identifying each rotor mast nut P/N 117-12133-01 to P/N
D632K1133-201 by following the specified service information. EASA AD
2017-0037 requires replacing any MGB P/N D632K1001-051 with serial
number (S/N) D2-0001 up to D2-0108 inclusive, D2-0123, D2-0126, D2-0127, or
D2-0130 up to D2-0136 inclusive with a not affected MGB before the
affected MGB accumulates 3,708 hours TIS. EASA AD 2017-0037 also
prohibits installing an affected rotor mast nut or an affected MGB that
has accumulated more than 3,708 hours TIS since first installation on a
helicopter. Additionally, EASA AD 2017-0037 requires revising the
Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP).
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.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-
BK117 D-2-63A-001, Revision 0, dated December 1, 2016 (ASB 63A-001),
which is not incorporated by reference, which specifies procedures for
re-identifying the rotor mast nut by using a vibrograph, crossing out
the old P/N and marking the new P/N on the outer surface, engraving the
letter ``A'' behind the S/N of each part, and updating the historical
record and log card to confirm compliance with ASB 63A-001. ASB 63A-001
also specifies during the next MGB overhaul, making an entry in the log
card to confirm re-identification of the helical gear support, and
annotating the S/N of the helical gear support.

Differences Between This AD and EASA AD 2017-0037


EASA AD 2017-0037 applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-2 and D2m
helicopters, whereas this AD only applies to Model MBB-BK117 D-2
helicopters because Model D-2m is not FAA type-certificated. If the
total hours TIS for an affected rotor mast nut cannot be determined,
this AD requires removing the rotor mast nut from service before
further flight, whereas EASA AD 2017-0037 does not contain this
requirement. EASA AD 2017-0037 requires using a vibrograph to re-
identify certain rotor mast nuts, whereas this AD requires using a
vibro etch instead. EASA AD 2017-0037 requires replacing certain parts,
whereas this AD requires removing certain parts from service instead.
EASA AD 2017-0037 requires revising the AMP, whereas this AD does not.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 30 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.
Determining the total hours TIS on an affected rotor mast nut takes
about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $85 per helicopter and
$2,550 for the U.S. fleet.
Re-identifying a rotor mast nut takes about 1.5 work-hours for an
estimated cost of $128 per rotor mast nut.
Replacing a rotor mast nut takes about 6 work-hours and parts cost
about $5,351 for an estimated cost of $5,861 per rotor mast nut.
Replacing a MGB, which includes replacing the helical gear support,
takes about 42 work-hours and parts cost about $295,000 (overhauled)
for an estimated cost of $298,570.

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 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) 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: