2017-26-03: Main Rotor 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): 2017-26-03 The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation: Amendment 39-19134; Docket No. FAA-2017-1191; Product Identifier 2017-SW-046-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to the Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom) Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, TH-28, 280, 280C, 280F, 280FX, 480, and 480B helicopters, certificated in any category, with a rod end bearing assembly (bearing assembly) P/N 01-824-08E-011, 09455-01-824-08E-011, ECD091-1, ASMK8T, M81935/1- 08K, MS21242S8K, or MTK8 installed. (b) Unsafe ConditionThis AD defines the unsafe condition as corrosion on a bearing assembly rod end thread. This condition could result in a crack in the bearing assembly, failure of the rod end resulting in loss of a main rotor blade, and loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective January 4, 2018. (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 5 hours time-in-service (TIS), using a 5X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each main rotor damper bearing assembly for corrosion on the threaded portion of the rod end as shown in Figure 1 of Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin (SDB) No. 0127, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017 (SDB 0127), for Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F-28F-R, 280, 280C, 280F, and 280FX helicopters or Enstrom SDB No. T-058, dated August 2, 2017 (SDB T-058), for model TH-28, 480, and 480B helicopters, as appropriate for your model helicopter. If there is any corrosion, before further flight, replace the bearing assembly. (2) For Model F-28, F-28A, F-28C, F-28C-2, F-28C-2R, F-28F, F- 28F-R, 280, 280C, 280F, and 280FX helicopters, within 5 hours TIS, using a 5X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each belt tension shaft rod end bearing assembly for corrosion on the threaded portion of the rod end as shown in Figure 1 of SDB 0127. If there is any corrosion, before further flight, replace the bearing assembly. (3) Within 10 days after completing the inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD, report the findings of each inspection, including the helicopter owner, address, telephone number, email address, helicopter model, helicopter registration number, date of inspection, total hours TIS of the helicopter, total hours TIS of the bearing, bearing assembly serial number, location of any corrosion, and a description of any corrosion, by mail or email to the individual listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (f) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Manzoor Javed, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 2300 East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-8112; email manzoor.javed@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) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6200 Main Rotor System. (i) 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) Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No. 0127, Revision 1, dated October 6, 2017. (ii) Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No. T-058, dated August 2, 2017. (3) For Enstrom service information identified in this AD, contact Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, 2209 22nd Street, Menominee, MI; telephone (906) 863-1200; fax (906) 863-6821; or at www.enstromhelicopter.com. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy, Room 6N- 321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 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.