EASA AD No.: 2015-0019R1 

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2015-0019R1 

Date: 13 February 2015 

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EU 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate 

an aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency 

[EU 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Design Approval Holder’s Name: 

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH 

Type/Model designation(s): 

MBB-BK117 helicopters 

TCDS Number: EASA.R.010 

Foreign AD: Not applicable 

Revision: This AD revises EASA Emergency AD 2015-0019-E dated 05 February 2015, 

which superseded EASA AD 2014-0057 dated 06 March 2014, including the 

Correction dated 07 March 2014. 

ATA 85 Optional Equipment – External Rescue Hoist System – Inspection / 

Modification 

Manufacturer(s): Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) (formerly Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH), Airbus Helicopters Inc. (formerly American Eurocopter 

LLC). 

Applicability: MBB-BK117 C-2 and MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters, all serial numbers, if 

equipped with a Goodrich external mounted hoist. 

Reason: In an incident involving an MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter, the rescue hoist 

damper unit detached from the cable when the hoist damper was lifted by hand 

(no load attached). Subsequent investigation revealed that the detachment 

occurred because a retaining ring inside the damper unit was not located at its 

correct installation position. It was determined that the displacement of the 

retaining ring may occur as a maintenance induced error, or as a result of 

retaining ring interaction with the bonding strap unit during operation. 

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the detachment of 

an external load or person from the helicopter hoist, possibly resulting in 

personal injury, or injury to persons on the ground. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2014-0046-E 

applicable to MBB BK117 C-2 helicopters to require replacement of the affected 

rescue hoist damper units, or deactivation of the rescue hoist. That AD was 

superseded by EASA AD 2014-0057 (later corrected), which, in order to 

reactivate the hoist damper unit, required modification of the bonding strap unit, 

installation of an improved retaining ring and post-modification repetitive 

inspections. 
EASA AD No.: 2015-0019R1 

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Since that AD was issued, a new occurrence of hoist damper unit detachment 

was reported, involving an already modified hoist. Moreover, the affected 

modified hoist was also approved for installation on the new model MBB BK117 

D-2. 

Prompted by the new occurrence of the hoist damper unit detachment, AHD 

issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) MBB-BK117 C-2-85A-041 

Revision 3 and ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-85A-002 original issue. Consequently, 

EASA issued Emergency AD 2015-0019-E, superseding EASA AD 2014-0057, 

to require replacement of the affected rescue hoist damper units, or 

deactivation of the affected rescue hoist, also applicable for MBB-BK117 D-2 

helicopters. 

After that AD was issued, AHD developed a new single-piece retainer, Part 

Number (P/N) B851M2060201, installation of which strengthens the 

interconnection of hoist damper unit and attached cable. 

For the reason described above, this AD is revised to introduce installation of 

the single-piece retainer as an acceptable alternative method of compliance 

with the requirements of this AD. This AD also allows installation of certain 

rescue hoist damper units, provided those units are equipped with the new 

single-piece retainer P/N B851M2060201. 

Effective Date: Revision 1: 13 February 2015 

Original issue: 07 February 2015 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously: 

(1) For helicopters equipped with (optional) rescue hoist damper unit P/N 

44307-480, P/N 44307-480-1 or P/N 44307-480-2, as applicable for 

helicopter model, before the next hoist operation after 07 February 2015 

[the effective date of this AD at original issue], accomplish one of the 

actions as specified in paragraph (1.1) or (1.2) or (1.3) of this AD, in 

accordance with the instructions of AHD ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-85A-041, or 

ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-85A-002: 

(1.1) Replace a Goodrich hoist damper unit with a serviceable part, 

(1.2) Deactivate the rescue hoist, 

(1.3) Modify the hoist damper unit by replacing split retainer P/N 

42305-286 with a single-piece retainer P/N B851M2060201. 

(2) From 07 February 2015 [the effective date of this AD at original issue], it is 

allowed to install or activate on a helicopter a rescue hoist damper unit P/N 

44307-480, P/N 44307-480-1 or P/N 44307-480-2 or an external hoist 

incorporating a hoist damper unit P/N 44307-480, P/N 44307-480-1 or P/N 

44307-480-2, provided the hoist damper is equipped with a single-piece 

retainer P/N B851M2060201. 

Ref. Publications: AHD ASB MBB-BK117 C-2-85A-041 Revision 3, dated 03 February 2015, or 

Revision 4, dated 12 February 2015. 

AHD ASB MBB-BK117 D-2-85A-002 original issue, dated 03 February 2015, or 

Revision 1, dated 12 February 2015. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. Based on the required actions and the compliance time, EASA have 

decided to issue a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the 

public consultation process until after publication. 
EASA AD No.: 2015-0019R1 

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3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: 

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH, Industriestrasse 4, 

86607 Donauwörth, Federal Republic of Germany 

Telephone: + 49 (0)151-1422 8976; Facsimile: + 49 (0)906-71 4111.