2014-13-09: Tail Rotor

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): 2014-13-09 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH): Amendment 39-17885; Docket No. FAA-2014-0440; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-075-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model EC135P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters with mounting ring frame X9227, part number (P/N) L535H2120301, P/N L535H2120303, or P/N L535H2120304, installed, except those with frame reinforcement P/N L535H2100201 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a fatigue crack in a ring frame. This condition could result in loss of a tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective July 30, 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) On or before 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), or within 50 hours TIS for helicopters with more than 100 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass and a light, visually inspect the ring frame X9227 for a crack between the rivets as shown in Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135-53A-029, Revision 0, dated November 19, 2013. Paint cracks are permissible. (2) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the ring frame X9227 with an airworthy part.(f) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov. (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. (h) Additional Information (1) Eurocopter Safety Information Notice No. 2636-S-53, Revision 0, dated October 10, 2013, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. 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) AD No. 2013-0289-E, dated December 6, 2013. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2014-0440. (i) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 5302 Tail Rotor. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin ASB EC135-53A-029, Revision 0, dated November 19, 2013. (ii) Reserved. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX [[Page 41098]] 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641- 3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 25, 2014.