Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23099 · Main rotor mast/swashplate
Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category.
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Helicopters with an MBB-BK 117 C-2e designation are Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of significant wear of the spherical bearings of the control rod assembly and pitch link assembly. This AD requires measuring the radial play of certain spherical bearings of control rod assemblies and pitch link assemblies, reporting the results, and depending on the results, taking corrective action. This AD also prohibits installing certain control rod assemblies and pitch link assemblies unless certain requirements are met. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0131, dated July 8, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0131).
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0131 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Instead of complying with paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2024-0131, within 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, measure the radial play of the two spherical bearings of each affected part, as defined in EASA AD 2024-0131, in accordance with the instructions of the ASB, as defined in EASA AD 2024-0131.
(3) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2024-0131 specifies reporting measurement results to AH (Airbus Helicopters) within a certain compliance time, for this AD, report those measurement results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the measurement was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the measurement.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(4) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0131.
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected part, as defined in EASA AD 2024-0131, on any helicopter unless the radial play of the two spherical bearings of that affected part is measured by following the actions required by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0131 and the radial play of each spherical bearing is equal to or less than 0.10 mm.
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.
