2018-02-01: 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-08-51, Amendment 39-18160 (80 FR 28172, May 18, 2015), and adding the following new AD: 2018-02-01 The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom): Amendment 39-19154; Docket No. FAA-2017-0141; Product Identifier 2016-SW-067- AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Enstrom Model F-28A, 280, F-28C, F-28C-2, F- 28C-2R, 280C, F-28F, F-28F-R, 280F, and 280FX helicopters, all serial numbers; and Enstrom Model 480 helicopters, serial numbers 5001 through 5006; with a main rotor spindle (spindle) part number (P/N) 28-14282-11 or 28-14282-13, installed, certificatedin any category. [[Page 2369]] (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as a crack in a spindle, which, if not detected, could result in loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Affected ADs This AD supersedes AD 2015-08-51, Amendment 39-18160 (80 FR 28172, May 18, 2015). (d) Effective Date This AD becomes effective February 21, 2018. (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) Before further flight, remove from service any spindle P/N 28-14282-11 or 28-14282-13 that has 1,500 or more hours time-in- service (TIS). If the hours TIS of a spindle is unknown, use the TIS of the helicopter. Thereafter, remove from service any spindle P/N 28-14282-11 or 28-14282-13 before accumulating 1,500 hours TIS. (2) For each spindle with 500 or more hours TIS, using the hours TIS of the helicopter if the hours TIS of the spindle is unknown: (i) Before further flight, unless already done within the last 500 hours TIS, conduct a magnetic particle inspection (MPI) of the spindle for a crack, paying particular attention to the threaded portion of the spindle. The MPI of the spindle must be conducted by a Level II or Level III inspector qualified in the MPI in the Aeronautics Sector according to the EN4179 or NAS410 standard or equivalent. If there is a crack in the spindle, replace it with an airworthy spindle before further flight. (ii) Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS, repeat the MPI specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD. (g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Manzoor Javed, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 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) Additional Information Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin Nos. 0119 and T-050, both Revision 3 and both dated June 24, 2016, which are not incorporated by reference, contain additional information about the subject of this AD. For 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. 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. (i) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6220, Main Rotor Head.