2016-25-20: Main Rotor Drive System

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): 2016-25-20 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-18746; Docket No. FAA- 2015-3929; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-031-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4, EC130T2, AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with a bi-directional suspension cross-bar (cross-bar) part number (P/N) 350A38-1040-20 or P/N 350A38-1040-00 installed, certificated in any category. [[Page 94956]] (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a bi- directional cross-bar, which could result in failure of a cross-bar and loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective January 31, 2017. (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) Within the initial inspection times shown in Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD or the next time maintenance of the helicopter involves removing the main gearbox, whichever comes first; and thereafter at intervals not to exceed the compliance times shown in Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD, inspect each cross-bar for a crack. For purposes of this AD, a torque cycle is defined as one landing with or without stopping the rotor or one external load-carrying operation; an external load-carrying operation occurs each time a helicopter picks up an external load and drops it off. Table 1 to Paragraph (e) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Initial and recurrent Helicopter model inspection interval ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, 4,500 hours time-in-service AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1. (TIS) or 60,000 torque cycles, whichever occurs first. AS350B3, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, 3,300 hours TIS or 60,000 AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355 NP. torque cycles, whichever EC130B4................................ occurs first. EC130T2................................ 3,300 hours TIS or 40,000 torque cycles, whichever occurs first. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the cross-bar. (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: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, 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. (h) Additional Information (1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130-05A021, No. EC130-05A022, No. AS350-05.00.84, and No. AS355-05.00.73, all Revision 0 and all dated May 21, 2015, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional informationabout the subject of this final rule. For service information identified in this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641- 3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review the referenced 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2015-0094, dated May 29, 2015. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2015-3929. (i) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300, Main Rotor Drive System.