Document ID: FAA-2021-0779-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
Posted Date: 2021-12-07T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69163-69165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26497]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0779; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01505-R; 
Amendment 39-21817; AD 2021-23-18]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of chafing marks on a 
wiring harness near the locking washer of the lateral control rod. This 
AD requires an inspection of the wiring harness and the routing of the 
wiring harness and corrective actions if necessary, 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 January 11, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 11, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; 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 incorporated by 
reference is also available in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0779.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0779; 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 Union Aviation Safety Agency (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: Jacob Fitch, Aerospace Engineer, COS 
Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 
76177; phone: (817) 222-4130; email: [email protected].

[[Page 69164]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0246, dated November 10, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0246), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus 
Helicopters Deutschland GmbH, formerly Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 
Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters.
    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 Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021 (86 FR 51042). 
The NPRM was prompted by a report of chafing marks on a wiring harness 
near the locking washer of the lateral control rod. The NPRM proposed 
to require an inspection of the wiring harness and the routing of the 
wiring harness and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in 
EASA AD 2020-0246.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address chafing marks on a wiring 
harness near the locking washer of the lateral control rod. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in in-flight loss of the 
hoist load and possible personal injury, or could generate a burning 
smell and possible need for the flight crew to implement the applicable 
emergency procedure. See EASA AD 2020-0246 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. Except for minor editorial changes, 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0246 requires an inspection of the wiring harness and 
the routing of the wiring harness for discrepancies (includes damaged 
wire harnesses and insufficient clearances) and corrective actions 
(includes repair of wire harnesses and re-routing the wire harness) if 
necessary, and an update of the Aircraft Maintenance Programme (AMP) to 
incorporate certain tasks. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD

    EASA AD 2020-0246 requires revising the ``Aircraft Maintenance 
Programme (AMP),'' whereas this proposed AD would not because not all 
U.S. operators are required to have a maintenance program.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 31 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.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
             Action                         Labor cost              Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection......................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =                $0             $85          $2,635
                                   $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs 
and re-routing that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repairs and re-routing.......................  Up to 1 work-hour x $85 per hour             * $0             $85
                                                = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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,

[[Page 69165]]

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-23-18 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-21817; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0779; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01505-R.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 11, 2022.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model 
MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as 
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-
0246, dated November 10, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0246).

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2597, Equip/
Furnishing System Wiring.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of chafing marks on a wiring 
harness near the locking washer of the lateral control rod. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address chafing marks on a wiring harness near 
the locking washer of the lateral control rod. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in in-flight loss of the hoist load 
and possible personal injury, or could generate a burning smell and 
possible need for the flight crew to implement the applicable 
emergency procedure.

 (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 2020-0246.

 (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0246

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0246 requires compliance in terms of 
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2020-0246 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0246 specifies to update 
the Aircraft Maintenance Programme (AMP) with certain tasks included 
in the service information referenced by EASA AD 2020-0246, this AD 
does not include that requirement.
    (4) This AD does not require the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2020-0246.

 (i) 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 
actions of this AD can be performed, provided that no debris from 
chafing is visible that would allow jamming or fouling of the flight 
controls, the chafing does not interfere with the flight controls by 
jamming or fouling, and the systems impacted by the wiring harness 
are rendered inoperable by collaring the circuit breaker.

 (j) 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 (k) of 
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (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.

 (k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jacob Fitch, 
Aerospace Engineer, COS Program Management Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 
Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: (817) 222-4130; email: 
[email protected].

 (l) 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 2020-0246, 
dated November 10, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved].
    (3) For EASA AD 2020-0246, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]; 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-2021-0779.
    (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 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on November 4, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-26497 Filed 12-6-21; 8:45 am]
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