AD NUMBER: 2016-03-05

PRODUCT: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with a certain Goodrich rescue hoist damper unit (damper unit) installed.

ACTION: Final Rule; request for comments

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-13-01 for the product listed above.

AD 2014-13-01 required repairing or replacing the damper unit or deactivating the rescue hoist.

AD 2014-13-01 was prompted by a report of an uncommanded detachment of a damper unit from the cable.

This new AD retains the optional requirement of deactivating the rescue hoist, expands the applicability, and requires either replacing or modifying the damper unit with a newly developed single-piece retainer.

These actions are intended to prevent the hoist damper unit detaching from the cable resulting in loss of an external load or person from the helicopter hoist and injury to persons being lifted by the hoist.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 24, 2016. Comments on this AD must be received by April 11, 2016.

FMI: AD