Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 50219 

PART 123—DISASTER LOAN 

PROGRAM 

■ 3. The authority citation for 13 CFR 

part 123 is revised to read as follows: 

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 636(b), 

636(d), and 657n; Section 1110, Pub. L. 116– 

136, 134 Stat. 281; and Section 331, Pub. L. 

116–260, 134 Stat. 1182. 

■ 4. Amend § 123.13 by revising the first 

sentence of paragraph (e) and paragraph 

(f) to read as follows: 

§ 123.13 What happens if my loan 

application is denied? 

* * * * * 

(e) If SBA declines your application a 

second time, you have the right to 

appeal in writing to the Director, 

Disaster Assistance Processing and 

Disbursement Center (DAPDC) or the 

Director’s designee(s). * * * 

(f) The decision of the Director, 

DAPDC or the Director’s designee(s), is 

final unless: 

(1) The Director, DAPDC or the 

Director’s designee(s), does not have the 

authority to approve the requested loan; 

(2) The Director, DAPDC or the 

Director’s designee(s), refers the matter 

to the SBA Associate Administrator for 

Disaster Assistance (AA/DA); 

(3) The AA/DA, upon a showing of 

special circumstances, requests that the 

Director, DAPDC or the Director’s 

designee(s), forward the matter to him 

or her for final consideration; or 

(4) The SBA Administrator, solely 

within the Administrator’s discretion, 

chooses to review the matter and make 

the final decision. Such discretionary 

authority of the Administrator does not 

create additional rights of appeal on the 

part of an applicant not otherwise 

specified in SBA regulations. 

* * * * * 

■ 5. Amend § 123.300 by adding 

paragraph (e) to read as follows: 

§ 123.300 Is my business eligible to apply 

for an economic injury disaster loan? 

* * * * * 

(e) COVID–19 Economic Injury 

Disaster (COVID EIDL) loans are 

available if, as of the date of application, 

you: 

(1) Are a business, including an 

agricultural cooperative, aquaculture 

enterprise, nursery, or producer 

cooperative (but excluding all other 

agricultural enterprises), that is small 

under SBA Size Standards (as defined 

in part 121 of this chapter); 

(2) Are an individual who operates 

under a sole proprietorship, with or 

without employees, or as an 

independent contractor; 

(3) Are a private non-profit 

organization that is a non-governmental 

agency or entity that currently has an 

effective ruling letter from the Internal 

Revenue Service (IRS) granting tax 

exemption under sections 501(c), (d), or 

(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 

1954, or satisfactory evidence from the 

State that the non-revenue-producing 

organization or entity is a non-profit one 

organized or doing business under State 

law, or a faith-based organization; 

(4) Are a business, cooperative, 

agricultural enterprise, Employee Stock 

Ownership Plan (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 

632), or tribal small business concern 

(as described in 15 U.S.C. 657a(b)(2)(C)), 

with not more than 500 employees; or 

(5) Are a business that is assigned a 

North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS) code beginning with 

61, 71, 72, 213, 3121, 315, 448, 451, 481, 

485, 487, 511, 512, 515, 532, or 812, 

employs not more than 500 employees 

per physical location, and together with 

affiliates has no more than 20 locations. 

■ 6. Amend § 123.303 by adding a 

sentence to the end of paragraph (a) and 

revising paragraph (b)(2) to read as 

follows: 

§ 123.303 How can my business spend my 

economic injury disaster loan? 

(a) * * * COVID EIDL loan proceeds 

also may be used to make debt 

payments including monthly payments, 

payment of deferred interest, and prepayments on any business debts, except 

pre-payments are not permitted on any 

loans owned by a Federal agency 

(including SBA) or a Small Business 

Investment Company licensed under the 

Small Business Investment Act. 

(b) * * * 

(2) Except for COVID EIDL loan 

proceeds, make payments on loans 

owned by a Federal agency (including 

SBA) or a Small Business Investment 

Company licensed under the Small 

Business Investment Act; 

* * * * * 

■ 7. Add § 123.304 to read as follows: 

§ 123.304 Is there a limit on the maximum 

loan amount to a single corporate group for 

COVID EIDL Loans? 

Entities that are part of a single 

corporate group shall in no event 

receive more than $10,000,000 of 

COVID EIDL loans in the aggregate. For 

purposes of this limit, entities are part 

of a single corporate group if they are 

majority owned, directly or indirectly, 

by a common parent. 

Isabella Casillas Guzman, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19232 Filed 9–7–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8026–03–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0463; Project 

Identifier 2018–SW–050–AD; Amendment 

39–21698; AD 2021–17–15] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo 

S.p.a. Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and 

AW139 helicopters with certain main 

rotor blades installed. This AD was 

prompted by a report of an in-flight loss 

of a main rotor blade (MRB) tip cap. 

This AD requires inspecting the MRB 

tip cap for disbonding. 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 

Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, Emanuele 

Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, Viale 

G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di 

Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39– 

0331–225074; fax +39–0331–229046; or 

at https://

customerportal.leonardocompany.com/ 

en-US/. 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– 

0463. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0463; 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 European Aviation Safety 

Agency (now European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
50220 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

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: 

Bang Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Certification Section, Fort Worth ACO 

Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 

Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 

222–4973; email bang.nguyen@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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 

and AW139 helicopters with an MRB 

that has less than 1,200 total hours timein-service (TIS) and has part number (P/ 

N) 3G6210A00131 with any serial 

number (S/N) listed in Table 1 of 

Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 139–520, dated April 26, 

2018 (ASB 139–520), installed. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on June 16, 2021 (86 FR 31992). 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require, within 50 hours TIS, tap 

inspecting each MRB tip cap for 

disbonding using a tap hammer or 

equivalent. If there is no disbonding, the 

NPRM proposed to require tap 

inspecting the MRB tip cap at intervals 

not to exceed 50 hours TIS. If there is 

any disbonding that does not exceed the 

specified limits in ASB 139–520, the 

NPRM proposed to require tap 

inspecting the MRB at intervals not to 

exceed 10 hours TIS. If there is any 

disbonding that exceeds the specified 

limits in ASB 139–520, the NPRM 

proposed to require removing the MRB 

from service before further flight. The 

NPRM also specified that the 

accumulation of 1,200 total hours TIS 

on the affected part without findings of 

any disbonded area or with findings of 

any disbonded area that is within the 

permitted limits in Annex A of ASB 

139–520 would constitute terminating 

action for the proposed repetitive 

inspections. Finally, the NPRM 

proposed to prohibit installing any MRB 

that is identified in the applicability 

section of this AD on any helicopter. 

The NPRM was prompted by reports 

of incorrect bonding procedures on 

certain MRBs, which if not detected and 

corrected, could result in loss of the 

MRB tip cap, severe vibrations, and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

The FAA issued AD 2018–03–01, 

Amendment 39–19174 (83 FR 4136, 

January 30, 2018) (AD 2018–03–01) for 

Agusta S.p.A. (now Leonardo S.p.a.) 

Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters 

with MRB P/N 3G6210A00131 with an 

S/N 3615, 3634, 3667, or 3729 installed. 

AD 2018–03–01 requires inspecting the 

MRB tip cap for disbonding and was 

prompted by EASA AD 2017–0175–E, 

dated September 13, 2017 (EASA AD 

2017–0175–E), issued by EASA, which 

is the Technical Agent for the Member 

States of the European Union. EASA 

advised of an in-flight loss of an MRB 

tip cap on an AW139 helicopter where 

the pilot was able to safely land the 

helicopter. EASA further advised that 

an investigation determined the cause as 

incorrect bonding procedures used 

during production on MRB P/N 

3G6210A00131, S/N 3615, 3634, 3667, 

and 3729. According to EASA, this 

condition could result in loss of an MRB 

tip cap, increased pilot workload, and 

reduced control of the helicopter. To 

address this unsafe condition, EASA AD 

2017–0175–E requires a one-time 

inspection of the affected MRB tip caps 

within 5 flight hours (FH) and replacing 

the affected MRBs within 10 FH if not 

replaced as a result of the inspection. 

EASA AD 2017–0175–E also prohibits 

installing the affected MRBs on a 

helicopter. AD 2018–03–01 requires the 

same corrective actions. 

After the FAA issued AD 2018–03–01, 

EASA issued EASA AD 2018–0130, 

dated June 18, 2018 (EASA AD 2018– 

0130), to correct the same unsafe 

condition for Leonardo S.p.a. Model 

AB139 and AW139 helicopters with 

additional serial-numbered MRBs 

installed. EASA advises that further 

investigations after EASA AD 2017– 

0175–E was issued determined that 

another batch of P/N 3G6210A00131 

MRBs may have been subject to the 

incorrect bonding procedure, but to a 

less critical extent. EASA AD 2018– 

0130, which neither revises nor 

supersedes EASA AD 2017–0175–E, 

applies to the following serial-numbered 

MRBs with less than 1,200 FH: 2709, 

3558, 3624, 3707, 3790, 3486, 3561, 

3625, 3717, 3795, 3488, 3569, 3626, 

3720, 3798, 3495, 3570, 3627, 3725, 

3803, 3500, 3574, 3628, 3726, 3807, 

3501, 3575, 3633, 3734, 3812, 3502, 

3582, 3636, 3735, 3822, 3503, 3583, 

3638, 3738, 3824, 3508, 3586, 3642, 

3739, 3825, 3510, 3590, 3648, 3741, 

3827, 3513, 3592, 3649, 3743, 3831, 

3520, 3595, 3650, 3744, 3832, 3527, 

3597, 3651, 3745, 3838, 3528, 3599, 

3657, 3753, 3841, 3529, 3602, 3665, 

3754, 3842, 3531, 3603, 3672, 3761, 

3847, 3536, 3605, 3682, 3766, 3850, 

3539, 3609, 3684, 3770, 3851, 3544, 

3612, 3686, 3771, 3852, 3549, 3613, 

3690, 3777, 3853, 3551, 3616, 3691, 

3783, 3854, 3556, 3620, 3695, 3788, 

3855, 3557, 3622, 3696, and 3789. 

Accordingly, EASA AD 2018–0130 

requires within 50 FH and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 50 FH, tap 

inspecting the MRB for disbonding. If 

there is disbonding within permitted 

limits, EASA AD 2018–0130 requires 

tap inspecting the disbonded area 

within 10 FH and thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 10 FH. If disbonding that 

exceeds the permitted limits is found 

during any inspection, EASA AD 2018– 

0130 requires replacing the part. EASA 

AD 2018–0130 also prohibits installing 

the affected part unless it is a 

serviceable part and includes a 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections, which is accumulation of 

1,200 FH by an affected part without 

findings of disbonded area, or findings 

of disbonded area within the limits 

specified in Annex A of ASB 139–520. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

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. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed ASB 139–520. 

This service information specifies 

procedures for repetitively inspecting 

the tip cap on a certain batch of MRBs 

for disbonding using a tap test and 

replacing the MRB if disbonding is not 

within permitted limits. 

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. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

EASA AD 

EASA AD 2018–0130 allows replacing 

an affected part with a serviceable part, 

which is marked with the letter ‘‘R’’ 

(repaired tip cap) as the last digit of the 

S/N, as a terminating action for the 

repetitive inspections specified in that 

AD, whereas this AD does not. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 50221 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 114 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. 

Tap inspecting an MRB tip cap takes 

1 work-hour, for a cost per helicopter of 

$85 per inspection cycle for a total U.S. 

fleet cost of $9,690 per inspection cycle. 

Replacing 1 MRB, if required, takes 4 

work-hours, and required parts cost 

$141,725, for a total cost of $142,065 per 

MRB. 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in its cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some of the 

costs of this AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost 

impact on affected operators. 

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: 

2021–17–15 Leonardo S.p.a.: Amendment 

39–21698; Docket No. FAA–2021–0463; 

Project Identifier 2018–SW–050–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective October 13, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Leonardo S.p.a. Model 

AB139 and AW139 helicopters, certificated 

in any category, with a main rotor blade 

(MRB) that has less than 1,200 total hours 

time-in-service (TIS) and has part number 

3G6210A00131 with any serial number listed 

in Table 1 of Leonardo Helicopters Alert 

Service Bulletin No. 139–520, dated April 26, 

2018 (ASB 139–520), installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6210, Main Rotor Blades. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

disbonding of an MRB tip cap, which if not 

detected and corrected, could result in loss 

of the MRB tip cap, severe vibrations, and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within 50 hours TIS after the effective 

date of this AD, using a tap hammer or 

equivalent, tap inspect each MRB tip cap for 

disbonding in the area depicted in Figure 1 

of ASB 139–520. 

(i) If there is no disbonding, tap inspect 

each MRB tip cap as required by paragraph 

(g)(1) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 50 

hours TIS. 

(ii) If there is any disbonding that does not 

exceed the limits specified in Annex A, 

paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4 of ASB 139–520, tap 

inspect the MRB tip cap as required by 

paragraph (g)(1) of this AD at intervals not to 

exceed 10 hours TIS. 

(iii) If there is any disbonding that exceeds 

the limits specified in Annex A, paragraphs 

2.3 and 2.4 of ASB 139–520, remove the MRB 

from service before further flight. 

(2) Accumulation of 1,200 total hours TIS 

on the affected part without findings of any 

disbonded area or with findings of any 

disbonded area that is within the permitted 

limits specified in Annex A, paragraphs 2.3 

and 2.4 of ASB 139–520, constitutes 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1)(i) 

and (ii) of this AD. 

(3) As of effective date of this AD, do not 

install any MRB that is identified in 

paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter. 

(h) 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 (i)(1) 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. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Bang Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, 

Certification Section, Fort Worth ACO 

Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 

Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–4973; 

email bang.nguyen@faa.gov. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (now 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency) 

(EASA) AD 2018–0130, dated June 18, 2018. 

You may view the EASA AD at https://

www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA– 

2021–0463. 

(j) 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) Leonardo Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin No. 139–520, dated April 26, 2018. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopters, 

Emanuele Bufano, Head of Airworthiness, 

Viale G.Agusta 520, 21017 C.Costa di 

Samarate (Va) Italy; telephone +39–0331– 

225074; fax +39–0331–229046; or at https:// 

customerportal.leonardocompany.com/enUS/. 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
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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