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2003-13-15 Schweizer Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-13217. Docket No. 2002-SW-25-AD. Supersedes AD 2001-25-52, Amendment 39-12726, Docket No. 2001-SW-58-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, and TH-55A helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tailboom support strut (strut) assembly, part number (P/N) 269A2015 or 269A2015-5; or with a center frame aft cluster fitting, P/N 269A2234 or 269A2235, and an aft cluster fitting listed in the following table: \n\n\nHelicopter model number\nHelicopter serial number\nWith aft cluster fitting, P/N\nModel 269C\n0570 through 1165\n269A2234-3\nModel 269C\n0500 through 1165\n269A2235-3\nModel 269A, A-1, B, or C, or TH-55A\nAll\n269A2234-3 or 269A2235-3\n\n\tException: For the Model 269A, A-1, B, or C or TH-55A helicopters with Hughes-manufactured cluster fittings, P/N 269A2234-3 or P/N 269A2235-3, installed, if there is written documentation in the aircraft or manufacturer's records that shows the cluster fitting was originally sold by Hughes after June 1, 1988, the requirements of this AD are not applicable. \n\n\tNote 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 (h) 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. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent failure of a tailboom support strut or lug on a cluster fitting, which could cause rotation of a tailboom into the main rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, for helicopters with cluster fittings, P/N 269A2234 or P/N 269A2235: \n\n\t(1) Using paint remover, remove paint from the lugs on each cluster fitting. Wash with water and dry. The tailboom support strut must be removed prior to the paint stripping. \n\n\t(2) Dye-penetrant inspect the lugs on each cluster fitting. See the following Figure 1: \n\nBILLING CODE 4910-13-P \n\n\nFigure 1\n\nBILLING CODE 4910-13-C \n\n\t(3) If a crack is found, before further flight, replace the cracked cluster fitting with an airworthy cluster fitting. \n\n\t(b) Cluster fittings, P/N 269A2234 and P/N 269A2235, that have NOT been modified with Kit P/N SA-269K-106-1, are NOT eligible replacement parts. \n\n\t(c) Within 150 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, replaceeach cluster fitting, P/N 269A2234 and P/N 269A2235, with an airworthy cluster fitting or modify each cluster fitting, P/N 269A2234 and P/N 269A2235, with Kit, P/N SA-269K-106-1. Installing the kit is terminating action for the 50-hour TIS repetitive dye-penetrant inspection for these cluster fittings. Broken or cracked cluster fittings are not eligible for the kit modification. \n\n\t(d) For helicopters with strut assemblies, P/N 269A2015 or 269A2015-5, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(1) At intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS: \n\n\t(i) Remove the strut assemblies, P/N 269A2015 or P/N 269A2015-5. \n\n\t(ii) Visually inspect the strut aluminum end fittings for deformation or damage and dye-penetrant inspect the strut aluminum end fittings for a crack in accordance with Step II of Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-109.2, dated September 1, 1976 (SIN N-109.2). \n\n\t(iii) If deformation, damage, or a crack is found, before further flight, modify the strut assemblies by replacing the aluminum end fittings with stainless steel end fittings, P/N 269A2017-3 and -5, and attach bolts in accordance with Step III of SIN N-109.2; or replace each strut assembly P/N 269A2015 with P/N 269A2015-9, and replace each strut assembly P/N 269A2015-5 with P/N 269A2015-11. \n\n\t(2) Within 500 hours TIS or one year, whichever occurs first, modify or replace the strut assemblies in accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this AD. \n\n\t(e) For the Model 269C helicopters, within 100 hours TIS, serialize each strut assembly, P/N 269A2015-5 and P/N 269A2015-11, in accordance with Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-108, dated May 21, 1973. \n\n\t(f) Within 25 hours TIS or 60 days, whichever occurs first, for cluster fittings, P/N 269A2234-3 and P/N 269A2235-3, perform a one-time inspection and repair, if required, in accordance with Procedures, Part II of Schweizer Service Bulletin No. B-277, dated January 25, 2002. \n\n\t(g) Before further flight, replace any cluster fitting thatis cracked or has surface defects beyond rework limits with an airworthy cluster fitting. \n\n\t(h) 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, New York Aircraft Certification Office (NYACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, NYACO. \n\n\tNote 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the NYACO. \n\n\t(i) 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. \n\n\t(j) The inspections, modifications, replacements and serializations shall be done in accordance with Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-109.2, dated September 1, 1976; Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-108, dated May 21, 1973; and Schweizer Service Bulletin No. B-277, dated January 25, 2002. 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 part 51. Copies may be obtained from Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 147, Elmira, New York 14902. 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. \n\n\t(k) This amendment becomes effective on August 12, 2003.
