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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 1 (Friday, January 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11-14]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-24181]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01244-R;
Amendment 39-23219; AD 2025-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Helicopters
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 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-
2, and MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of
damaged hoist hooks and hoist hook nuts. This AD requires 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 AD also prohibits installing an
affected assembly (hoist hook attached to the hook damper) on any
helicopter, and prohibits installing an affected hoist hook on any
helicopter unless it is installed using updated procedures. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 2026.
[[Page 12]]
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 6,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
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 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#7a3b3e093a1f1b091b541f0f08150a1b541f0f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ecfcafdceebeffdefa0ebfbfce1feefa0ebfb">[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 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#0d7f6c606263236c237a6c6166687f237d687f68774d6b6c6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bcceddd1d3d292dd92cbddd0d7d9ce92ccd9ced9c6fcdadddd92dbd3ca">[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 C-2, MBB-BK 117 D-2, and MBB-BK 117
D-3 helicopters. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
September 5, 2025 (90 FR 42860). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-
0213, dated December 8, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0213) (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 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.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 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, and installing a serviceable hoist hook in
accordance with updated installation procedures. In the NPRM, the FAA
also proposed to prohibit installing an affected assembly (hoist hook
attached to the hook damper) on any helicopter, and to prohibit
installing an affected hoist hook on any helicopter unless it is
installed using updated procedures.
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.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2274.
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 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 on a helicopter, and prohibits installing a hoist hook 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.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-
BK117 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 176 helicopters of U.S.
registry.
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect hoist hook and hoist nut......... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour $0 $170 $29,920
= $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any 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
this replacement.
[[Page 13]]
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 $8,562 $8,647
$85 per hour =
$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
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:
2025-25-11 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-23219;
Docket No. FAA-2025-2274; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01244-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 6, 2026.
(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) Required Actions
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#20616d6f63604641410e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0445494b47446265652a636b72">[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#6e1c0f030100400f40190f02050b1c401e0b1c0b142e080f0f40090118"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3341525e5c5d1d521d44525f5856411d4356415649735552521d545c45">[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.
(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#f2b3b681b297938193dc9787809d8293dc9787"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abeaefd8ebcecad8ca85ceded9c4dbca85cede">[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#3e584c1057504d4e5b5d4a5751507e505f4c5f10595148"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0d6c29ed9dec3c0d5d3c4d9dfdef0ded1c2d19ed7dfc6">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 14]]
Issued on December 10, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-24181 Filed 12-31-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
The FAA is adopting 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 AD...
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91 FR 11
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“Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters,” thefederalregister.org (January 2, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2025-24181/airworthiness-directives-airbus-helicopters-deutschland-gmbh-helicopters.