2014-11-07: Main Rotor 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): 2014-11-07 Agusta S.p.A Helicopters (Type Certificate Currently Held By AgustaWestland S.p.A) (Agusta): Amendment 39-17857; Docket No. FAA-2014-0336; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-063-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Agusta Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters with a nut, part-number (P/N) MS21042-4, connecting the main rotor swashplate support to the upper case of the main transmission installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack on a nut connecting the main rotor swashplate support to the upper case of the main transmission. This condition could result in failure of the main rotor system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective June 18, 2014. (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 (1) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a light, visually inspect each nut, P/N MS21042-4, which connects the swashplate support to the upper case of the main transmission for a crack. (i) If there is a crack, before further flight, remove all six nuts, P/N MS21042-4, connecting the swashplate support to the upper case. (ii) If there are no cracks, within 25 hours TIS, remove all six nuts, P/N MS21042-4, connecting the swashplate support to the upper case. (2) Do not install a nut, P/N MS21042-4, connecting the swashplate support to the upper case of the main transmission on any helicopter. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, may [[Page 31859]] approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; 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 (1) Agusta Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 109-137 for Model A109A, A109AII and A109C helicopters; BT No. 109EP-131 for Model A109E helicopters; BT No. 109K-59 for Model A109K2 helicopters; BT No. 109S-056 for Model A109S helicopters; BT No. 109SP-070 for Model AW109SP helicopters; and BT No. 119-062 for Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters, all Revision 0 and dated October 29, 2013, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, contact AgustaWestland, Product Support Engineering, Via del Gregge, 100, 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA) Italy, ATTN: Maurizio D'Angelo; telephone 39-0331-664757; fax 39-0331-664680; or at http://www.agustawestland.com/technical-bullettins. You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth Texas 76137. (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2013-0265-E, dated October 30, 2013. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0336. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200 Main Rotor System.