50222 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(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. 

(5) You may view this service information 

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/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on August 13, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19243 Filed 9–7–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

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-inservice (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 partnumbered 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, KonradAdenauer-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 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 50223 

(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 reidentify 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

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 required 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. 


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50224 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(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-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. 

(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 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/ 

ibr-locations.html. 

Issued on July 30, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19253 Filed 9–7–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0449; Project 

Identifier 2018–SW–001–AD; Amendment 

39–21679; AD 2021–16–16] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, 

AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, 

AS350B3, and AS350D helicopters; and 

Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 

AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP 

helicopters. This AD was prompted by 

reports that the lanyards (bead chain 

tethers), which hold the quick release 

pins to the forward bracket assembly of 

certain litter kits, can loop around the 

directional control pedal stubs, limiting 

the movement of the pedals. This AD 

requires modification of the lanyard 

attachment location for certain litter kit 

installations. 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 document listed in this AD 

as of October 13, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For 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 at https:// 

www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/ 

technical-support.html. 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. It is also available 

at https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0449. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0449; 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 Transport Canada AD, 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: 

Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance 

& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Mail Stop: Room 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (516) 

228–7330; email andrea.jimenez@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain Airbus Helicopters 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, 

AS350B2, AS350B3, and AS350D 

helicopters; and Model AS355E, 

AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, 

and AS355NP helicopters. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

June 3, 2021 (86 FR 29705). In the 

NPRM, the FAA proposed to require 

modification of the lanyard attachment 

location for certain litter kit 

installations. The NPRM was prompted 


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