2002-21-12: Main transmission assembly

2002-21-12 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-12918. Docket No. 2002- SW-06-AD. Applicability: Model A109E helicopters, 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 (c) 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 within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless accomplished previously.To prevent failure of specified parts of the main transmission assembly and supports, the tail rotor assemblies, the main rotor control bolt, or the fuselage left-hand elevator, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: (a) Replace each part listed in Table 1 with an airworthy part on or before reaching the specified hours TIS as shown in Table 1 of this AD as follows: Part Name Part Number Hours TIS (1) Main transmission gear pinion. (2) Main transmission gear driver (3) Main transmission shaft assembly (4) Tail rotor retention strap assembly (5) Tail rotor hub assembly. (6) Tail rotor 90-degree gearbox pinion gear (7) Tail rotor 90-degree gearbox crown gear (8) Main rotor control bolt (9) Fuselage left-hand elevator. (10) Main transmission support aft rod (11) Main transmission support lower fitting 109-0403-05-111 109-0403-04-3 109-0405-76-107 109-8131-07-1 109-0131-06-7 109-0433-01-107 109-0443-01-103 109-0110-90-103 109-0200-02-93 109-0325-03-113 109-0325-08-1 6,100 8,300 25,000 1,800 3,000 6,100 11,700 5,000 4,400 35,000 30,000 (b) This AD revises the airworthiness limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing or reducing the life limit as specified in Table 1 of this AD. (c) 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, FAA. 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Regulations Group. (d) Special flight permits will not be issued. (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 2002.