The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

2011-21-12: Rotating swashplate assembly

FAA order 2011-21-12 is an airworthiness directive in force since December 1, 2011. The FAA's subject line: Rotating swashplate assembly. It names Erickson S-64: about 5 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: rotorcraft systems.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Erickson Air-Crane
Models
S-64F
On this site
Erickson S-64 5 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
December 1, 2011
Published
October 27, 2011 (signed September 29, 2011)
Docket
FAA-2010-0909
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Erickson Air-Crane (Erickson Air-Crane) Model S-64F helicopters. The amendment requires, at specified intervals, certain inspections of the rotating swashplate assembly (swashplate) for a crack. If a crack is found, this AD also requires, before further flight, replacing the swashplate with an airworthy swashplate. This AD is prompted by a report from the manufacturer of a swashplate cracking during fatigue testing. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of a swashplate due to a fatigue crack, loss of control of the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (3,479 characters)
Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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): 2011-21-12 Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated: Amendment 39-16835; Docket No. FAA-2010-0909; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-026-AD. Applicability: Model S-64F helicopters, with rotating swashplate assembly (swashplate), part number (P/N) 65104-11001-051, installed, certificated in any category. Compliance: Required as indicated. To prevent loss of a swashplate due to a fatigue crack, loss of control of the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following: (a) Within 15 hours time-in-service (TIS), unless accomplished previously, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 hours TIS, clean and visually inspect the swashplate for a crack in areas A through F as depicted in Figure 1 of Erickson Air-Crane Service Bulletin 64B10-10, Revision 2, dated April 1, 2008 (SB). (b) Within 150 hours TIS, unless accomplished previously, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 150 hours TIS, clean the swashplate and, using a 10-power or higher magnifying glass, visually inspect for a crack in areas A through F as depicted in Figure 1 of the SB. (c) Within 1,000 hours TIS since the last fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours TIS, remove the swashplate from the rotor head, disassemble and remove the paint from the swashplate, and FPI the swashplate for a crack in accordance with ATSM E1417, Type I, Methods A or C. (d) If a crack is found in the swashplate, before further flight, replace the swashplate with an airworthy swashplate. (e) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager, Rotorcraft Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, ATTN: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Michael Kohner, ASW- 170, Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5170, fax (817) 222-5783, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. (f) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 6230: Main Rotor Mast/Swashplate. (g) The inspections shall be done in accordance with the specified portions of Erickson Air-Crane Service Bulletin 64B10-10, Revision 2, dated April 1, 2008. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated, 3100 Willow Springs Road, P. O. Box 3247, Central Point, OR 97502, telephone (541) 664-5544, fax (541) 664-2312. 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 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. (h) This amendment becomes effective on December 1, 2011.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2007-03-21SW-07-21 · Tail Rotor Head Assembly

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 5, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2011-21-12.json · aircraft systems.