Rule2025-13214
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
Primary source
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Published
July 15, 2025
Effective
July 30, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of over-torqued swashplate bolts on helicopters in service and in production. This AD requires removal of certain swashplate bolts from service and replacement with new (never previously installed on a helicopter) bolts, a one-time inspection for damage on the threads of the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate and, depending on the results of the inspection, corrective actions. This AD also prohibits the installation of certain swashplates on any helicopter unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 133 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31583-31586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13214]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00155-R;
Amendment 39-23082; AD 2025-14-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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[[Page 31584]]
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-3
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of over-torqued
swashplate bolts on helicopters in service and in production. This AD
requires removal of certain swashplate bolts from service and
replacement with new (never previously installed on a helicopter)
bolts, a one-time inspection for damage on the threads of the bearing
ring and control ring of the swashplate and, depending on the results
of the inspection, corrective actions. This AD also prohibits the
installation of certain swashplates on any helicopter unless certain
requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 30, 2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by August 29, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#29686d5a694c485a48074c5c5b465948074c5c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c68782b586a3a7b5a7e8a3b3b4a9b6a7e8a3b3">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA
website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yves Petiote, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (202) 975-4867; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2cbc4d7c19cc2d7c6dbddc6d7f2d4d3d39cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ccb5baa9bfe2bca9b8a5a3b8a98caaadade2aba3ba">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-00155-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent Yves
Petiote, 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 2025-0027, dated February 5, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0027) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition on AHD Model MBB-BK117 D-3 and MBB-BK117 D-3m
helicopters. The MCAI states that an occurrence of over-torqued
swashplate bolts on helicopters both in service and in production has
been reported. The MCAI states that over-torquing of the swashplate
bolts could lead to damage to the swashplate bolts and to the threads
of the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate and could affect
the structural integrity of the swashplate. The FAA is issuing this AD
to detect and correct the condition of the swashplate bolts and damage
to the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate, which if not
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the
swashplate, loss of main rotor control, and consequent loss of control
of the helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1359.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0027, which specifies procedures for
removal of certain swashplate bolts and replacement with new (never
previously installed on a helicopter) swashplate bolts, inspection of
the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate for damage, and,
depending on the results of the inspection, corrective actions to
include the replacement of the bearing ring or control ring of the
swashplate. EASA AD 2025-0027 also prohibits installing an affected
swashplate unless it passes the specified inspection and the swashplate
bolts have been replaced with new swashplate bolts.
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 AD
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
[[Page 31585]]
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2025-0027, described previously, as incorporated by reference, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this AD. See ``Differences Between this AD and the MCAI'' for a
discussion of the general differences included in this AD.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
EASA AD 2025-0027 applies to AHD Model MBB-BK117 D-3m helicopters,
whereas this AD does 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,
EASA AD 2025-0027 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-0027 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0027 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
2025-0027. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0027 for compliance will
be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-1359 after
this AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the swashplate is a critical component to maintaining
controlled flight. Over-torquing of the swashplate bolts could damage
the bearing ring and control ring of the swashplate, which could result
in reduced structural integrity of the swashplate, loss of main rotor
control, and consequent loss of control of the helicopter. This could
occur during any phase of flight, without previous indication. For this
reason, the initial actions required by this AD must be accomplished
within 50 hours time-in-service or 30 days, whichever occurs first,
which is shorter than the time necessary for the public to comment and
for publication of the final rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 50 helicopters of U.S.
registry. Each swashplate requires 24 swashplate bolts, and the parts
cost reflects the cost of replacing 24 swashplate bolts.
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
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Replace swashplate bolts................... 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $216 $556 $27,800
$340.
Inspect bearing ring and control ring...... 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 340 17,000
$340.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need these repairs:
On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace bearing ring.......... 2 work-hours x $59,672 $59,842
$85 per hour =
$170.
Replace control ring.......... 2 work-hours x 20,980 21,150
$85 per hour =
$170.
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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,
[[Page 31586]]
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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
2025-14-04 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23082;
Docket No. FAA-2025-1359; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00155-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 30, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD)
Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6230, Main Rotor
Mast/Swashplate.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of over-torqued swashplate
bolts on helicopters in service and in production. The FAA is
issuing this AD to detect and correct the condition of the
swashplate bolts and damage to the bearing ring and control ring of
the swashplate due to over-torquing. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the
swashplate, loss of main rotor control, and consequent loss of
control of the helicopter.
(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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0027, dated February 5, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0027).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0027
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0027 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0027 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraphs (2) and (3) of EASA AD 2025-0027 specify
``discrepancy'', this AD requires replacing this text with ``damage
to the threads''.
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2025-0027 specifies ``replace
that control ring or bearing ring, respectively'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``remove from service and replace that
control ring or bearing ring, respectively''.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0027.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0027 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
(j) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) 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 (l) of
this AD and email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3e2eeece0e3c5c2c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3e2eeece0e3c5c2c28dc4ccd5">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Yves Petiote,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (202) 975-4867; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#93eae5f6e0bde3f6e7fafce7f6d3f5f2f2bdf4fce5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="344d4251471a4451405d5b4051745255551a535b42">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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 2025-0027,
dated February 5, 2025.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2b3b681b297938193dc9787809d8293dc9787"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fbbabf88bb9e9a889ad59e8e89948b9ad59e8e">[email protected]</span></a>; 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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5533277b3c3b26253036213c3a3b153b3427347b323a23"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="670115490e0914170204130e0809270906150649000811">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on July 10, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-13214 Filed 7-11-25; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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