AD 2022-11-07

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 8, 2022.

None.

This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK117 A-1, MBB-BK117 A-3, MBB-BK117 A-4, MBB-BK117 B-1, MBB-BK117 B-2, MBB-BK117 C-1, MBB-BK117 C-2, and MBB-BK117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category.

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200, Main Rotor System.

This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that aging of the elastomeric material of certain tension torsion straps (TT-Straps), during the period since manufacturing date up to first flight on a helicopter, may affect its structural characteristics. The FAA is issuing this AD to address aging of the elastomeric material of certain TT-Straps. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in premature failure of a TT-Strap, possibly resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

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 2021-0122, dated May 6, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0122).

(1) Where EASA AD 2021-0122 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where EASA AD 2021-0122 specifies the “cure date” of a TT-Strap, the cure date can be determined using the information provided in the service information specified in EASA AD 2021-0122, or by contacting Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH for applicable instructions. If the option of contacting Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH for instructions is chosen, those instructions must be 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.

(3) This AD does not mandate compliance with the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2021-0122.

(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0122 specifies scrapping a part, this AD requires removing that part from service.

(5) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2021-0122 specifies to replace each Lord TT-Strap and Bendix TT-Strap “in accordance with the instructions of the applicable ASB,” for this AD, the replacement must be done using FAA-approved procedures.

(6) Where EASA AD 2021-0122 refers to the airworthiness limitations items of the airworthiness limitations section of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for the definition of service life limit (SLL), this AD requires using the life limits specified in paragraphs (h)(6)(i) through (iii) of this AD, as applicable.

(i) For Bendix TT-Strap P/N 2604067 and P/N 117-14110: Before 10 years or 25,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first.

(ii) For Lord TT-Strap P/N J17322-1 and P/N 117-14111: Before 12 years or 40,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first.

(iii) For Lord TT-Strap P/N B622M10T1001: Before 12 years or 30,000 flight cycles on the part, whichever occurs first.

(7) Where table 1 of EASA AD 2021-0122 specifies a compliance time of “During the next helicopter periodical inspection or within 2 months, whichever occurs later after the effective date of this AD, but not exceeding the SLL,” for this AD, the compliance time is “Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD but not exceeding the applicable SLL specified in paragraphs (h)(6)(i) through (iii) of this AD.”

Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, are not allowed.

(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: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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.

For more information about this AD, contact Kristi Bradley, Program Manager, COS Program Management Section, Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: (817) 222-5110; email: kristin.bradley@faa.gov.

(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 2021-0122, dated May 6, 2021.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA AD 2021-0122, 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-2022-0294.

(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/ibr-locations.html.