2025-17063: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters

A. Walker Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,

Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0213, dated December 8, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0213) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK117 C-2, D-2, D-3, and D-3m helicopters, all variants, all serial numbers. The MCAI states that occurrences of damage to the threaded part of the affected hoist hook and to the threads of the affected hook nut have been reported. Investigation identified galling as the root cause of the damage. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the affected assembly, which could result in loss of the hoist load and injury to persons. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. [[Page 42861]] You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2274. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0213, which specifies procedures for inspecting the affected hoist hook and the affected hook and replacing both the hoist hook and hoist nut if any debris, dent, or crack is found in accordance with updated installation procedures. EASA AD 2023- 0213 also prohibits installing an affected assembly (hoist hook attached to the hook damper) or any higher assembly having an affected assembly installed on a helicopter unless it is installed using the updated installation procedures. 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. FAA's Determination These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2023-0213, described previously as incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. See ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI'' for a general discussion of these differences. Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI The MCAI applies to MBB-BK117 D-3m helicopters, whereas this proposed AD would not because that model does not have an FAA type certificate. Explanation of Required Compliance Information In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2023-0213 by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2023-0213 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2023-0213 does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2023- 0213. Material required by EASA AD 2023-0213 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2274 after the FAA final rule is published. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 176 helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost per Cost on U.S. Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspect hoist hook and hoist nut.... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $29,920 hour = $170. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary replacements that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of helicopters that might need this replacement. On-Condition Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost per Action Labor cost Parts cost product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Install hoist hook........................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $8,562 $8,647 $85. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation: [[Page 42862]] (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01244-R. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by October 20, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of damage to the threaded part of the affected hoist hook and the threads of the affected hook nut due to galling. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the hoist hook and hook nut, which if not corrected, could lead to failure of the affected assembly (hoist hook attached to the hook damper), which could result in loss of the hoist load and injury to persons. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0213, dated December 8, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0213). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0213 (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0213 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2023-0213. (i) No Reporting or Returning Parts Requirement Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0213 specifies to submit information and return parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not require those actions. (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 and email 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) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Ramon A. Walker Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (847) 294-7337; email: [email protected]. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0213, dated December 8, 2023. (ii) [Reserved]. (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on September 2, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-17063 Filed 9-4-25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P