14778 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 

Hoist Part Number: 

Hoist Serial Number: 

Time since Last Hoist Overhaul (months): 

Hoist Operating Hours: 

Hoist Cycles: 

Hoist Lifts: 

Date and Location Test was Accomplished: 

Point of Contact for Additional Information: 

Air Temperature: 

Gearbox Lubricant: 

Hoist Slip Load Test Value 1: 

Hoist Slip Load Test Value 2: 

Hoist Slip Load Test Value 3: 

Hoist Slip Load Test Value 4: 

Hoist Slip Load Test Value 5: 

Hoist Slip Load Test Averaged Test Value: 

Any notes or comments: 

Issued on February 23, 2022. 

Derek Morgan, 

Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–05487 Filed 3–15–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–1180; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2021–00794–R; Amendment 

39–21967; AD 2022–06–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 

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 

Model MBB–BK 117 D–3 helicopters. 

This AD was prompted by reports of a 

main rotor (M/R) blade lead-lag damper 

in a tilted position. This AD requires 

inspecting the Flex Control Unit (FCU), 

and corrective actions if necessary, as 

well as rework and re-identification of 

the bearing pin, 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 20, 

2022. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of April 20, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: For EASA material 

incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 

final rule, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, 

Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; 

email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find the 

EASA 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 at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–1180. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–1180; 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, the EASA AD, 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: 

Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance 

& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone (516) 228–7330; email 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

EASA, which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2021–0160, 

dated July 5, 2021 (EASA AD 2021– 

0160), to correct an unsafe condition for 

Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 

(AHD), formerly Eurocopter 

Deutschland GmbH, Model MBB–BK117 

D–3 helicopters, all serial numbers, 

including Model MBB–BK117 D–2 

helicopters that have been converted 

into Model MBB–BK117 D–3 

helicopters through Airbus Helicopters 

Service Bulletin MBB–BK117 D–2–00– 

003. 

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 Model MBB–BK 117 

D–3 helicopters. The NPRM published 

in the Federal Register on January 14, 

2022 (87 FR 2368). The NPRM was 

prompted by reports of an M/R blade 

lead-lag damper in a tilted position. 

EASA advises that subsequent 

investigation results determined that the 

tolerances stack-up may lead to an 

insufficient clamping on the bearing 

pin. The NPRM proposed to require 

inspecting the FCU, and corrective 

actions if necessary, as well as rework 

and re-identification of the bearing pin. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to address 

this unsafe condition, which if not 

detected and corrected, could result in 

an unbalance of the M/R system, 

excessive vibration, and reduced control 

of the helicopter. See EASA AD 2021– 

0160 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 2021–0160 requires a onetime inspection of the affected FCU and 

depending on findings, accomplishment 

of applicable corrective actions. EASA 

AD 2021–0160 also requires after the 

initial FCU inspection, re-working and 

re-identifying each affected part by 

marking the part with a letter ‘‘M.’’ 

EASA AD 2021–0160 also prohibits 

installing an affected FCU or affected 

part 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 reviewed Airbus Helicopters 

Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB–BK117 

D–3–62A–002, dated June 29, 2021, 

which specifies procedures for a onetime inspection of the FCU and re-work 

of the bearing pin installed on the 

support assembly. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 14779 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 41 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. 

Inspecting each FCU, including 

inspecting each rotor hub-shaft, 

hexagonal screw, nut, damper assembly, 

bearing pin, support assembly, spherical 

bearing, and integrated bearing sleeve, 

takes about 3 work-hours for an 

estimated cost of $255 per FCU 

inspection and $10,455 for the U.S. fleet 

per FCU inspection. 

Reworking and re-identifying the 

bearing pin takes about 0.5 work-hour 

for an estimated cost of $43 per 

helicopter and $1,763 for the U.S. fleet 

per bearing pin. 

The FAA has received no definitive 

data on which to base the cost estimates 

for the on-condition repairs specified in 

this AD. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2022–06–01 Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39– 

21967; Docket No. FAA–2021–1180; 

Project Identifier MCAI–2021–00794–R. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective April 20, 2022. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Deutschland GmbH Model MBB–BK 117 

D–3 helicopters, certificated in any category. 

Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Model 

MBB–BK117 D–2 helicopters that have been 

converted into Model MBB–BK117 D–3 

helicopters are Model MBB–BK 117 D–3 

helicopters and this AD is also applicable to 

those helicopters. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6200, Main Rotor System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of a 

main rotor (M/R) blade lead-lag damper in a 

tilted position. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to prevent an unbalance of the M/R system. 

The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 

result in excessive vibration and reduced 

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 required actions and 

compliance times specified in, and in 

accordance with, European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021–0160, dated 

July 5, 2021 (EASA AD 2021–0160). 

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021–0160 

(1) Where EASA AD 2021–0160 requires 

compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD 

requires using hours time-in-service. 

(2) Where EASA AD 2021–0160 refers to its 

effective date, this AD requires using the 

effective date of this AD. 

(3) Where the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0160 specifies 

to contact Airbus Helicopters or replace the 

Flex Control Unit (FCU) if you find cracks or 

damage at the protruding conical end of the 

integrated bearing sleeve, this AD requires 

removing the FCU from service and replacing 

with an airworthy part, or repairing the FCU 

in accordance with a method approved by 

the Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 

Section, International Validation Branch, 

FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters’ EASA 

Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 

approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(4) Where a work card in the service 

information referenced in EASA AD 2021– 

0160 specifies performing the corrective 

action and contacting Airbus Helicopters 

when discrepancies are found, this AD 

requires performing the corrective actions as 

specified in the work card but does not 

require contacting Airbus Helicopters. 

(5) Where a work card in the service 

information referenced in EASA AD 2021– 

0160 specifies to do a dye penetrant 

inspection for the inspection of Zone B of the 

rotor hub-shaft ‘‘if you are not sure there are 

cracks,’’ this AD requires performing a dye 

penetrant inspection. 

(6) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2021– 

0160 specifies ‘‘it is allowed to install a 

hexagonal screw P/N D622M0500207 on any 

helicopter, provided that installation is 

accomplished in accordance with the 

instructions of section 3.D of the ASB, or in 

accordance with the instructions of an AMM 

revision which includes the technical 

content of section 3.D of the ASB,’’ for this 

AD replace the text ‘‘in accordance with the 

instructions of section 3.D of the ASB, or in 

accordance with the instructions of an AMM 

revision which includes the technical 

content of section 3.D of the ASB’’ with ‘‘in 

accordance with the instructions of section 

3.D of the ASB, or in accordance with the 

instructions of an AMM revision which 

includes the identical content of section 3.D 

of the ASB.’’ 

(7) This AD does not mandate compliance 

with the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 

2021–0160. 

(i) No Reporting Requirement 

Although the service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2021–0160 specifies 

to submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(j) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits may be issued in 

accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 

to operate the helicopter to a location where 

the helicopter can be modified, provided no 

passengers are onboard. 


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14780 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 51 / Wednesday, March 16, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 

1The FCC’s rules did not make C-Band wireless 

broadband available in Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. 

Territories. 

2The regulatory text of the AD uses the term ‘‘5G 

C-Band’’ which, for purposes of this AD, has the 

same meaning as ‘‘5G’’, ‘‘C-Band’’ and ‘‘3.7–3.98 

GHz.’’ 

(k) 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 (l) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(l) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 

telephone (516) 228–7330; email 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. 

(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2021–0160, dated July 5, 2021. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For EASA AD 2021–0160, contact 

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 the 

EASA material on the EASA website at 

https://ad.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 

at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–1180. 

(5) You may view this material that is 

incorporated by reference 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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on March 9, 2022. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–05497 Filed 3–15–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2022–0279; Project 

Identifier AD–2022–00257–T; Amendment 

39–21982; AD 2022–06–16] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all The 

Boeing Company Model 747–100, 747– 

100B, 747–100B SUD, 747–200B, 747– 

200C, 747–200F, 747–300, 747–400, 

747–400D, and 747–400F series 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

determination that radio altimeters 

cannot be relied upon to perform their 

intended function if they experience 

interference from wireless broadband 

operations in the 3.7–3.98 GHz 

frequency band (5G C-Band), and a 

recent determination that during takeoff, 

approach, landings, and go-arounds, as 

a result of this interference, certain 

airplane systems may not properly 

function, resulting in increased 

flightcrew workload while on approach 

with the flight director, autothrottle, or 

autopilot engaged, which could result in 

reduced ability of the flightcrew to 

maintain safe flight and landing of the 

airplane. This AD requires revising the 

limitations and operating procedures 

sections of the existing airplane flight 

manual (AFM) to incorporate specific 

operating procedures for takeoff, 

instrument landing system (ILS) 

approaches, non-precision approaches, 

and go-around and missed approaches, 

when in the presence of 5G C-Band 

interference as identified by Notices to 

Air Missions (NOTAMs). The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective March 16, 

2022. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by May 2, 2022. 

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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0279; 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 listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Dean Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 

Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 

Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th 

St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and 

fax: 206–231–3165; email: 

Dean.R.Thompson@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

In March 2020, the United States 

Federal Communications Commission 

(FCC) adopted final rules authorizing 

flexible use of the 3.7–3.98 GHz band 

for next generation services, including 

5G and other advanced spectrum-based 

services.1 Pursuant to these rules, CBand wireless broadband deployment 

was permitted to occur in phases with 

the opportunity for operations in the 

lower 0.1 GHz of the band (3.7–3.8 GHz) 

in certain markets beginning on January 

19, 2022. This AD refers to ‘‘5G C-Band’’ 

interference, but wireless broadband 

technologies, other than 5G, may use the 

same frequency band.2 These other uses 

of the same frequency band are within 

the scope of this AD since they would 

introduce the same risk of radio 

altimeter interference as 5G C-Band. 

The radio altimeter is an important 

aircraft instrument, and its intended 

function is to provide direct heightabove-terrain/water information to a 

variety of aircraft systems. Commercial 

aviation radio altimeters operate in the 

4.2–4.4 GHz band, which is separated 

by 0.22 GHz from the C-Band 

telecommunication systems in the 3.7– 

3.98 GHz band. The radio altimeter is 

more precise than a barometric altimeter 

and for that reason is used where 

aircraft height over the ground needs to 


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