2014-16-01: Main Rotor Head

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: [[Page 45324]] 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): 2014-16-01 MD Helicopters, Inc.: Amendment 39-17925; Docket No. FAA- 2014-0514; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-027-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model MD900 helicopters, serial numbers 900- 00008 through 900-00140, with main rotor upper hub assembly (upper hub) part number 900R2101006-105, -107, -109, or -111 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a cracked upper hub. This condition could result in failure of the upper hub and subsequent lossof control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective August 20, 2014. (d) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been previously accomplished. (e) Required Actions Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next annual inspection, whichever occurs first: (1) Clean each upper hub inspection area as shown in Figure 1 of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-122, dated April 8, 2014 (SB900-122). (2) Eddy current inspect the upper hub for a crack by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs 2.A.(3) through 2.A.(11) of SB900-122. This eddy current inspection must be performed by a Level II or higher technician with the National Aerospace Standard 410 or equivalent certification who has performed an eddy current inspection within the last 12 months. If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the upperhub with an airworthy upper hub. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Eric Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5348; email eric.schrieber@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. (g) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor Head. (h) 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) MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB900-122, dated April 8, 2014. (ii) Reserved. (3) For MD Helicopters, Inc. service information identified in this AD, contact MD Helicopters, Inc., Attn: Customer Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215-9734; telephone 1-800-388-3378; fax 480-346-6813; or at http://www.mdhelicopters.com. (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.