AD 2020-17-05 Prompted By Certain Longitudinal Trim Actuators, Lateral Trim Actuators, And Yaw Trim Actuators

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters.

This AD was prompted by the discovery that certain longitudinal trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators, which are certified for installation on MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, were erroneously listed as eligible for installation on MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires removing the affected parts from service and prohibits installing the affected parts on MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective September 17, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2020 (85 FR 22684). The NPRM was prompted by the discovery that certain longitudinal trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators, which are certified for installation on MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, were erroneously listed as eligible for installation on MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require removing the affected parts from service and prohibit installing the affected parts on MBBBK 117 D-2 helicopters. The FAA is issuing this AD to address erroneously installed longitudinal trim actuators, lateral trim actuators, and yaw trim actuators, which could lead to reduced control of the helicopter.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2017-0094, dated May 29, 2017 (EASA AD 2017-0094) (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters with a serial number (S/N) up to 20126 inclusive, excluding S/N 20109, 20119, and 20124.

FMI: www.regulations.gov