Proposed Rule2025-17063
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 5, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB- BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damaged hoist hooks and hoist hook nuts. This proposed AD would require performing an inspection of the affected hoist hook and affected hook nut and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacing the affected hoist hook and affected hook nut. This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected assembly (hoist hook attached to the hook damper) unless it is installed using updated procedures. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 170 (Friday, September 5, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 170 (Friday, September 5, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42860-42862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17063]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 170 / Friday, September 5, 2025 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 42860]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01244-R]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2, MBB-
BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of damaged hoist hooks and hoist hook nuts. This
proposed AD would require performing an inspection of the affected
hoist hook and affected hook nut and, depending on the results of the
inspection, replacing the affected hoist hook and affected hook nut.
This proposed AD would also prohibit installing an affected assembly
(hoist hook attached to the hook damper) unless it is installed using
updated procedures. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by October 20, 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-2025-2274; 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 NPRM, 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 proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcfdf8cffcd9ddcfdd92d9c9ced3ccdd92d9c9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0d4c497e4d686c7e6c2368787f627d6c236878">[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. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2025-2274.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ramon A. Walker Perez, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (847) 294-7337; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7200131f1d1c5c135c05131e1917005c0217001708321413135c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1765767a787939763960767b7c726539677265726d5771767639707861">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; Project Identifier
MCAI-2023-01244-R'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, 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 proposal 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 NPRM.
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 NPRM 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 NPRM, 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 NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Ramon
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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect hoist hook and hoist nut.... 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $29,920
hour = $170.
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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
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
helicopters that might need this replacement.
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Install hoist hook........................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $8,562 $8,647
$85.
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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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#81c0cccec2c1e7e0e0afe6eef7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="72333f3d31321413135c151d04">[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.
(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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2052414d4f4e0e410e57414c4b45520e504552455a604641410e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4b6a5a9abaaeaa5eab3a5a8afa1b6eab4a1b6a1be84a2a5a5eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6223261122070311034c0717100d12034c0717"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6425201724010517054a0111160b14054a0111">[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#3553471b5c5b46455056415c5a5b755b5447541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3254401c5b5c41425751465b5d5c725c5340531c555d44">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
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