Rule2026-05885
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
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
March 26, 2026
Effective
April 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a determination that certain bolts installed on the horizontal control rods of the flight controls were not dye penetrant inspected for cracks during manufacturing and thus could lead to bolt failure. This AD requires replacement of affected bolts with bolts that are eligible for installation. This AD also prohibits installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14641-14643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05885]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 58 / Thursday, March 26, 2026 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 14641]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5040; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01516-R;
Amendment 39-23292; AD 2026-06-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters.
This AD was prompted by a determination that certain bolts installed on
the horizontal control rods of the flight controls were not dye
penetrant inspected for cracks during manufacturing and thus could lead
to bolt failure. This AD requires replacement of affected bolts with
bolts that are eligible for installation. This AD also prohibits
installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 30, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 30,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-5040; 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
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
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#e6a7a295a683879587c8839394899687c88393"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4203063102272331236c2737302d32236c2737">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this 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-2025-5040.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aryanna Sanchez, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (817) 222-4058; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3c2d1dac2cdcdc28dd78dd0c2cdc0cbc6d9e3c5c2c28dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bedfccc7dfd0d0df90ca90cddfd0ddd6dbc4fed8dfdf90d9d1c8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Helicopters
Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2025 (90 FR 56070).
The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0228, dated November 28, 2022,
(EASA AD 2022-0228) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union. The MCAI states that a determination was made that bolts
installed on the horizontal control rods of the flight controls having
part number D671M7051211 and with a serial number (S/N) listed in the
applicable material were not subject to a dye penetrant inspection for
cracks during manufacturing and thus are subject to bolt failure.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacement of affected
bolts with bolts that are eligible for installation. The NPRM also
proposed to prohibit installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent bolt failure, which if not addressed,
could result in 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-2025-5040.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
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 reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0228, which specifies procedures for
checking (inspecting) the S/N of the bolt, and depending on the results
of the inspection, replacing any affected bolts with serviceable bolts.
EASA AD 2022-0228 also prohibits installing an affected bolt on any
helicopter. 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.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model D-3m
helicopters, whereas this AD does not because that model does not have
an FAA type certificate.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 146 helicopters of the U.S.
registry.
[[Page 14642]]
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace bolt............................. 4 work-hours x $85 per hour $101 $441 $64,386
= $340.
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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
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,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will 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 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:
2026-06-04 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23292;
Docket No. FAA-2025-5040; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01516-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 30, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model
MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 6700, Rotorcraft
flight control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that certain bolts
installed on the horizontal control rods of the flight controls were
not dye penetrant inspected for cracks during manufacturing and thus
are subject to bolt failure. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
bolt failure, which if not addressed, could result in 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 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 AD 2022-0228,
dated November 28, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0228).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0228
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0228 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0228 defines affected bolt as ``Bolts,
having part number D671M7051211 and a s/n [serial number] as listed
in the ASB'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``bolts,
having part number D671M7051211 and a serial number as listed in
Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB MBB-BK117 D-3-67A-002,
Revision 1, dated July 29, 2024''.
(3) Where EASA AD 2022-0228 refers to flight hours, this AD
requires using hours time-in-service (TIS).
(4) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies
``check'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``inspect''.
(5) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies
``discard'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``remove from
service''.
(6) Where the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies
to make the bolt unserviceable, this AD does not require those
actions.
(7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2022-0228.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2022-0228 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
require that action.
(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#7d3c30323e3d1b1c1c531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ccdc1c3cfcceaededa2ebe3fa">[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 Aryanna Sanchez,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (817) 222-4058; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e1f0c071f10101f500a500d1f101d161b043e181f1f50191108"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c4d5e554d42424d0258025f4d424f4449566c4a4d4d024b435a">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) 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.
[[Page 14643]]
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0228,
dated November 28, 2022.
(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#0e4f4a7d4e6b6f7d6f206b7b7c617e6f206b7b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1455506754717567753a7161667b64753a7161">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may
find this 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#7a1c08541314090a1f190e1315143a141b081b541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7315015d1a1d00031610071a1c1d331d1201125d141c05">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on March 18, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05885 Filed 3-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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