Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17046 · Placards and markings
Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Helicopters
This AD applies to Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH Model MBB-BK 117 C-1 and C-2 helicopters with a Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engine installed, which has a Fuel Control Unit (FCU) that has not been modified with Turbomeca Modification TU 358, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-1 and C-2 helicopters. This AD requires installing a placard that corresponds to the maximum permissible flight altitude, amending the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to revise the maximum permissible operating altitude, and inserting revised performance charts into the RFM. This AD also requires a repetitive maintenance "MAX N1 CHECK" to determine the appropriate maximum altitudes. This AD also requires, if the engine or a Fuel Control Unit (FCU) or module 2 or 3 is replaced, repeating the maintenance "MAX N1 CHECK." Finally, this AD specifies that modifying both engines would provide terminating action for the AD requirements. This AD was prompted by the failure of a "few" engines to reach the specified one-engine-inoperative (OEI) rating at altitudes above 10,000 feet. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent flights at altitudes where the full OEI engine power cannot be reached and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter if an OEI operation is required.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time.
(1) For Model MBB-BK117 C-1 helicopters:
(i) Before any flight operation at or above a pressure altitude (PA) of 10,000 feet, unless accomplished previously:
(A) Affix a placard to the instrument panel in plain view of the pilot(s), which states: “Maximum altitude for takeoff, landing, and hovering is 10,000 ft PA. Maximum operating altitude above effective translational lift is 13,000 ft PA,” or comply with paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this AD. The term “hovering” as used in this placard includes both in-ground effect (IGE) and out-of-ground effect (OGE) hovering.
(B) Revise the Altitude Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), in accordance with paragraph 2.9 on pages 9 and 10; paragraph B.2.1 on page 15; and paragraph C.2.3.2 on page 16 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-MBB-BK117-60-121, Revision 4, dated December 11, 2007 (ASB121).
(C) Attach each revised page 11-1-7 (ASB121, page 11) through 11-1-10 (ASB121, page 14) to the unrevised same-numbered page in the Performance section of the RFM.
(ii) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless accomplished previously:
(A) Revise the RFM as required by paragraphs (e)(1)(i)(B) and (e)(1)(i)(C) of this AD; and
(B) Affix the placard as required by paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) of this AD or comply with paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(iii) At intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS:
(A) Before operating between a 16,000 ft PA and 18,000 ft PA, perform the “MAX N1 CHECK” by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1.1., of ASB121. If the OEI rating is not reached, either affix a placard as required by paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) or comply with paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(B) or (e)(1)(iii)(C) of this AD.
(B) Before operating between 13,000 ft PA and 16,000 ft PA, perform the “MAX N1 CHECK” by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1.4., of ASB121.
(1) If the OEI rating is reached, affix a placard to the instrument panel in plain view of the pilot(s), which states: “Maximum operating altitude is 16,000 ft PA.”
(2) If the OEI rating is not reached, either affix a placard as required by paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) of this AD or comply with paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(C) of this AD.
(C) Before operating between 10,000 ft PA and 13,000 ft PA, perform the “MAX N1 CHECK” by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 2.B.1.7., of ASB121.
(1) If the OEI rating is reached, affix a placard to the instrument panel in plain view of the pilot(s), which states: “Maximum operating altitude is 13,000 ft PA.”
(2) If the OEI rating is not reached, affix a placard as required by paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) of this AD.
(2) For Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters:
(i) Before any flight operation at or above a PA of 10,000 feet, unless accomplished previously:
(A) Affix a placard to the instrument panel in plain view of the pilot(s), which states: “Maximum altitude for takeoff, landing, and hovering is 10,000 ft PA. Maximum operating altitude above effective translational lift is 13,000 ft PA,” or comply with paragraph (e)(2)(iii) of this AD. The term “hovering” as used in this placard includes both IGE and OGE hovering.
(B) Revise the Altitude Limitations section of the RFM in accordance with paragraph A.2.3. on page 10 and paragraph 2.8. on page 11 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. MBB BK117 C-2-71A-003, Revision 3, dated December 11, 2007 (ASB003).
(ii) Within 50 hours TIS, unless accomplished previously:
(A) Revise the RFM as required by paragraph (e)(2)(i)(B) of this AD; and
(B) Affix a placard as required by paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) of this AD or comply with paragraph (e)(2)(iii) of this AD.
(iii) At intervals not to exceed 600 hours TIS:
(A) Before operating between 16,000 ft PA and 18,000 ft PA, perform the “MAX N1 CHECK” by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1) (on pages 4 and 5), of ASB003. If the OEI rating is not reached, either affix a placard as required by paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) or comply with paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(B) or (e)(2)(iii)(C) of this AD.
(B) Before operating between 13,000 ft PA and 16,000 ft PA, perform the “MAX N1 CHECK” by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1) (on pages 5 and 6) of ASB003.
(1) If the OEI rating is reached, affix a placard to the instrument panel in plain view of the pilot(s), which states: “Maximum operating altitude is 16,000 ft PA.”
(2) If the OEI rating is not reached, either affix a placard as required by paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) or comply with paragraph (e)(2)(iii)(C) of this AD.
(C) Before operating between 10,000 ft PA and 13,000 ft PA, perform the “MAX N1 CHECK” by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.A.(1) (on page 7) of ASB003.
(1) If the OEI rating is reached, affix a placard to the instrument panel in plain view of the pilot(s), which states: “Maximum operating altitude is 13,000 ft PA.”
(2) If the OEI rating is not reached, affix a placard as required by paragraph (e)(2)(i)(A) of this AD.
(3) If an engine, FCU, engine module 2, or engine module 3 is replaced, before any flight operation at or above a PA of 10,000 feet, comply with the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD for the Model MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopter or paragraph (e)(2) of this AD for the Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter.
(4) Modifying both engines with Turbomeca Modification TU 358 in accordance with Turbomeca Groupe SAFRAN (Turbomeca) Service Bulletin No. 292 73 0358, dated October 2, 2007, is optional terminating action for the requirements of this AD. This AD does not require returning any parts to Turbomeca nor does it require that you perform the modification at a specific location. After modifying both engines, remove from the helicopter any placard required by this AD and remove from the RFM the revised altitude limitations and the revised performance pages required by this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
