2016-21-01: 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: 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): 2016-21-01 Bell Helicopter Textron: Amendment 39-18682; Docket No. FAA-2016-6551; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-070-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model 430 helicopters, serial number 49001 through 49129, with a main rotor head attachment bolt (bolt) part number (P/N) MS21250-08083 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a bolt remaining in service beyond its fatigue life. This condition could result in failure of a bolt, failure of the main rotor hub and subsequent loss of control of a helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective November 18, 2016. (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 Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS): (1) Revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of the applicable maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a life limit of 5,000 hours TIS for each bolt P/N MS21250-08083. (2) Determine the number of hours TIS for each bolt and update the helicopter's historical records. If the hours TIS is unknown, calculate the number of hours TIS by counting the helicopter's hours TIS beginning January 1, 2009. (3) Remove from service each bolt that has reached or exceeded its life limit. (f) 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, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222- 5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@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) Additional Information (1) Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 430-12-47, dated November 14, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this final rule. For service information identified in this final rule, contact Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, 12,800 Rue de l'Avenir, Mirabel, Quebec J7J1R4; telephone (450) 437-2862 or (800) 363-8023; fax (450) 433-0272; or at http://www.bellcustomer.com/files/. You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in Transport Canada AD No. CF-2013-26, dated September 24, 2013. You may view the Transport Canada AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2016-6551. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220 Main Rotor Head.