Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07-08 for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. AD 2017-07-08 requires repetitively inspecting each engine mount elastomeric bushing (elastomeric bushing). Since the FAA issued AD 2017-07-08, Airbus Helicopters has designed an improved engine mount metal bushing (metal bushing). This proposed AD would retain the inspection requirements of AD 2017-07-08 and would require replacing each affected engine mount bushing with an improved engine mount bushing, while also requiring repetitive inspections of the improved engine mount bushing. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an elastomeric bushing on any helicopter. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.