DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2148; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00706-R;
Amendment 39-22680; AD 2024-04-01]
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 all
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2,
EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, MBB-BK 117 C-2,
MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by
the determination that Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) screens obstruct
the pilot's view. This AD requires removing certain part-numbered IFR
screens, as specified in a 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 April 19, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 19,
2024.

ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-2148; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material identified in this final rule, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find the EASA material on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-2148.
Other Related Service Information: For Airbus Helicopters service
information identified in this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters,
2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-
0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or website airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld. You may also
view this service information at the FAA contact information under
Material Incorporated by Reference above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone
(303) 342-1080; email william.mccully@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2022-0097, dated June 1, 2022 (EASA
AD 2022-0097), to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters
Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 P3, EC135
T1, EC135 T2, EC135 T2+, EC135 T3, EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1, EC635
T2+, EC635 T3, MBB-BK117 C-2, MBB-BK117 D-2, MBB-BK117 D-3, and MBB-
BK117 D-3m helicopters.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters
Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3,
EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC135T3, MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2,
and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on November 13, 2023 (88 FR 77536). The NPRM was prompted by
the determination that IFR screens obstruct the pilot's views. These
IFR screens may be used for IFR training. According to Airbus
Helicopters, the IFR screens obstruct the pilot's view to the front and
to the right. The NPRM proposed to require removing certain part-
numbered IFR screens, as specified in EASA AD 2022-0097.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the obstructed views, which
could lead to reduced situational awareness of the pilot and subsequent
mid-air collision. See EASA AD 2022-0097 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 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 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 helicopters. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2022-0097 requires removing certain part-numbered IFR
screens and prohibits installing them on any helicopter.
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.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin
(ASB) EC135-25A-033, ASB EC135H-25A-007, ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-25A-022, and
ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-25A-023, each Revision 0 and dated May 23, 2022,
which specify procedures for removing the lower, pilot door, and upper
IFR screens from the helicopter. This service information also
specifies that the lower, pilot door, and upper IFR screens must not be
installed on a helicopter and the respective maintenance manual task is
invalid and must no longer be used.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

EASA AD 2022-0097 applies to Model EC635 P2+, EC635 P3, EC635 T1,
EC635 T2+, EC635 T3, and MBB-BK117 D-3m helicopters, whereas this AD
does not because those model helicopters are not FAA type-certificated
and are not included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet except
where the U.S. type certificate data sheet explains that the Model
EC635T2+ helicopter having serial number 0858 was converted from Model
EC635T2+ to Model EC135T2+.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 573 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.
Removing the IFR screens takes approximately 0.5 work-hour for an
estimated cost of $43 per helicopter and up to $24,639 for the U.S.
fleet.

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: