Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21232 · Emergency exits
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports that the adhesive seal prevented the doors from jettisoning properly. This AD requires removing certain seals, replacing certain seals with newly certified seals and revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(1) Within 25 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD:
(i) For helicopters with adhesive seal part number (P/N) 117-800201.01 installed on an exterior or interior door, remove adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.01 from the interior and exterior of each door, remove any adhesive using solvent (CM 202 or equivalent) and remove any grease using methyl ethyl ketone (CM 217 or equivalent), and install adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.02. Refer to Figures 1 through 4 of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin MBB-BK117-20A-114, Revision 2, dated March 30, 2016 (ASB MBB-BK117-20A-114) for a depiction of the seal installation areas.
(ii) For helicopters without adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.01 installed, clean the seal installation areas using solvent (CM 202 or equivalent), remove any grease using methyl ethyl ketone (CM 217 or equivalent), and install adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.02. Refer to Figures 1 through 4 of ASB MBB-BK117-20A-114 for a depiction of the seal installation areas.
(iii) Revise the Normal Procedures section, Preflight Exterior Check, under both “Fuselage—right side” and “Fuselage—left side” of the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual for your helicopter by adding the information in Figure 1 to paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this AD or by adding the information for “Jettisonable sliding door installed, after ASB-BK117-20A-114” of the following as applicable for your helicopter: MBB Helicopters Flight Manual MBB-BK117 A-3, Revision 17.1, MBB Helicopters Flight Manual MBB-BK117 A-4, Revision 16.1, MBB Helicopters Flight Manual MBB-BK117 B-1, Revision 20.1, Eurocopter Flight Manual BK117 B-2, Revision 21.2, or Eurocopter Flight Manual BK117 C-1, Revision 30.1, each dated March 25, 2015. Using a different document with information identical to the information for the “Jettisonable sliding door installed, after ASB-BK117-20A-114” procedures in the Flight Manual revision specified in this paragraph for your helicopter is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with § 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and § 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by § 91.417, § 121.380, or § 135.439.
(2) After the effective date of this AD, do not install adhesive seal P/N 117-800201.01 on any helicopter door.
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.
