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2002-13-06 Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD): Amendment 39-12794. Docket No. 2002-SW-07-AD.
Applicability: Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO-105 C-2, BO-105 CB-2, BO-105 CB-4, BO-105S, BO-105 CS-2, BO-105 CBS-2, BO-105 CBS-4, and BO-105LS A-1 helicopters, with main rotor head assembly, part number (P/N) 105-14101, and tension-torsion (T-T) straps, P/N 2602559 or P/N 2606576, installed, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fatigue failure of a T-T strap, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before further flight:
(1) Create a component log card or equivalent record for each T-T strap.
(2) Review the history of each affected helicopter and each T-T strap. For each T-T strap, determine the number of months since initial installation on any helicopter (age), the number of flights, and the number of flight hours time-in-service (TIS). Enter the age, the number of flights, and the number of flight hours TIS for each T-T strap on the component log card or equivalent record.
(i) If the number of flights is unknown, multiply the number of hours TIS by 5 and use thisresult as the number of flights.
(ii) If a T-T strap has been previously used at any time on Model BO-105LS A-3 "SUPER LIFTER", BO-105 CB-5, BO-105 CBS-5, BO-105 DBS-5, or any MBB-BK 117 series helicopter, multiply the number of flights accumulated on those other models by a factor of 1.6 and then add that result to the number of flights accumulated on the helicopters affected by this AD.
(3) Remove any T-T strap from service if the total hours TIS or number of flights and age cannot be determined.
(b) Before further flight, remove from service and replace with an airworthy T-T strap any T-T strap that has been in service 120 months since initial installation on any helicopter, accumulated 15,600 flights (a flight is a takeoff and a landing), or has accumulated 2,400 hours TIS on any helicopter.
(c) This AD revises the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance manual by establishing a life limit for the T-T strap, P/N 2602559 and P/N 2606576, of 120 months or 15,600 flights, or 2,400 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.
Note 2: T-T straps, P/N 2602559 and P/N 2606576, are no longer in production. T-T straps, P/N 2604067 or P/N J17322-1, may be used as alternate replacements if necessary.
(d) Before T-T straps, P/N 2604067 or P/N J17322-1, are installed, modify any main rotor head P/N 105-14101 configuration to a main rotor head P/N 105-141081 configuration in accordance with paragraph 2, Accomplishment Instructions, and Figure 1 of Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. SB-BO 105-10-100, Revision 1, dated July 16, 2001.
Note 3: AD 2001-17-08 (65 FR 52010, August 28, 2000) established the life limits for T-T straps, P/N 2604067 and P/N J17322-1.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Regulations Group, Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Regulations Group.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Regulations Group.
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the helicopter to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(g) The main rotor head modification shall be done in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions and Figure 1 of Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. SB-BO 105-10-100, Revision 1, dated July 16, 2001. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 51. Copies may be obtained from American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (972) 641-3460, fax (972) 641-3527. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on July 15, 2002.
Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (Federal Republic of Germany) AD 2001-281, effective October 18, 2001.
