2017-24-02: Autopilot System

Adoption of 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 (AD): 2017-24-02 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH: Amendment 39-19106; Docket No. FAA-2017-0933; Product Identifier 2017-SW-051-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a helicopter making an uncommanded climb or descent. This condition could result in loss of helicopter control. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective December 13, 2017.(d) Compliance 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. (e) Required Actions Within 10 hours time-in-service, revise the Operating limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual by adding the information in Figure 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD under Autopilot Limitations. Inserting Airbus Helicopters BK117 D-2 Flight Manual Temporary Revision No. 1, dated March 28, 2017, or Airbus Helicopters BK117 D-2 (Helionix Step 2) Flight Manual Temporary Revision No. 1, dated March 28, 2017, into the RFM is acceptable for compliance with this AD. Figure 1 to Paragraph (e) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Operating limitations of the autopilot Minimum airspeed with CRHT mode engaged.......................... 40 kt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: George Schwab, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. (g) Additional Information The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2017-0146, dated August 10, 2017. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-0933. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2210, Autopilot System. (i) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Airbus Helicopters BK117 D-2 Flight Manual Temporary Revision No. 1, dated March 28, 2017. (ii) Airbus Helicopters BK117 D-2 (Helionix Step 2) Flight Manual Temporary Revision No. 1, dated March 28, 2017. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at http://www.helicopters.airbus.com/Website/en/ref/Technical-Support_73.html. (4) You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202 741 6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.