2014-24-02: M/R System

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: [[Page 70787]] 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-07-51, Amendment 39-17902 (79 FR 45329, August 5, 2014), and adding the following new AD: 2014-24-02 Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta): Amendment 39-18035; Docket No. FAA-2014-0971; Directorate Identifier 2014-SW-055-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with main rotor (M/R) rotating scissors part number (P/N) 3G6230A00733, with a lower half scissors spherical bearing (bearing) P/N 3G6230V00654 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition asexcessive play of the bearing in the M/R rotating scissors. This condition could result in failure of the M/R rotating scissors and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Affected ADs This AD supersedes AD 2014-07-51, Amendment 39-17902 (79 FR 45329, August 5, 2014). (d) Effective Date This AD becomes effective December 15, 2014. (e) 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. (f) Required Actions (1) For helicopters with the M/R rotating controls installed without special nut P/N 3G6230A06851, within 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter before the first flight of each day or at intervals not exceeding 24 hours, whichever occurs later; and for helicopters with the M/R rotating controls installed with special nut P/N 3G6230A06851, within 25 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 25 hours TIS: (i) Visually inspect the M/R rotating scissors for damage using a light source and a magnifying glass, paying particular attention to the bearings. Some examples of damage are shown in Figures 4 through 8 of AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-392, dated September 23, 2014 (BT 139-392). If there is damage, before further flight, remove the bearing. (ii) Inspect the M/R rotating scissors for play of each bearing, paying particular attention to the bearing staking condition, by manually moving the lower half scissor along the axis of the spherical bearing. Refer to Figure 1 of BT 139-392. If there is play, before further flight, accomplish a detailed inspection of the M/R rotating scissors in accordance with steps 9.1 through 12.9 of AgustaWestland AW139 Document Code 39-C-62-31-00-00A-286C-A, Rotating control installation--Fixed swashplate and rotating scissors--Detailed inspection, issue 001, dated August 6, 2012. Any play beyond allowable limits requires removing the bearing before further flight. (2) Within 50 hours TIS from August 20, 2014, remove any bearing from a M/R rotating scissors with serial numbers (S/N) listed in Table 1 of AgustaWestland Bolletino Tecnico No. 139-368, dated March 19, 2014 (BT 139-368), on which the bearing has never been replaced; or from a M/R rotating scissors on which the bearing was replaced with a bearing with a S/N listed in Table 2 of BT 139-368. (3) Within 100 hours TIS, install special nut P/N 3G6230A06851 in accordance with steps 5.1. through 6., Part II, of the Compliance Instructions, of BT 139-392. (4) Prior to installing a M/R rotating scissors with a S/N listed in Table 1 of BT 139-368, replace the bearing and re-identify the M/R rotating scissors in accordance with paragraphs 4.2 through 4.4., Part II, of the Compliance Instructions of BT 139-368. (5) Do not install a bearing with a S/N listed in Table 2 of BT 139-368 into any M/R rotating scissors. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may 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. (h) Additional Information The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2014-0215-E, dated September 24, 2014. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0971. (i) Subject Joint AircraftService Component (JASC) Code: 6200, M/R System. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) 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. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 15, 2014. (i) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-392, dated September 23, 2014. (ii) Reserved. (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on August 20, 2014 (79 FR 45329, August 5, 2014). (i) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 139-368, dated March 19, 2014. (ii) AgustaWestland AW139 Document Code 39-C-62-31-00-00A-286C- A, Rotating control installation--Fixed swashplate and rotating scissors--Detailed inspection, issue 001, dated August 6, 2012. (5) For 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-bulletins. (6) 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. (7) 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.