2015-25-04: Tail Rotor Control System

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2015-25-04 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39-18342; Docket No. FAA-2015- 3783; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-027-AD. \n\n(a) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109A and A109A II helicopters with a slider assembly pitch control (slider) part number 109-0130-11-7 installed, certificated in any category. \n\n(b) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD defines the unsafe condition as excessive wear and play on a slider. This condition could result in loss of tail rotor pitch control and consequently loss of helicopter control. \n\n(c) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD becomes effective December 24, 2015. \n\n(d) Compliance \n\n\n\tYou 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. \n\n(e) Required Actions \n\n\n\tWithin 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours \n\n((Page 76383)) \n\nTIS, inspect the slider for play. If there is play greater than 2.3 millimeters (0.09 inch), replace the slider with an airworthy slider before further flight. \n\n(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Martin R. Crane, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5110; email [email protected]. \n\t(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. \n\n(g) Additional Information \n\n\n\t(1) AgustaWestland Bollettino Tecnico No. 109-149, dated May 29, 2015, which is not incorporated by reference, contains 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-bulletins. You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, Room 6N-321, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177. \n\t(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0097, dated June 1, 2015. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-3783. \n\n(h) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6720, Tail Rotor Control System.