2020-06-13: Main Rotor Gearbox

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\n2020-06-13 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-19882; Docket No. FAA- 2019-1015; Product Identifier 2018-SW-104-AD. \n\n(a) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters, certificated in any category, with a main gearbox (MGB) suspension bar right-hand side (RH) rear attachment fitting (fitting) part number (P/N) 330A22-2702-07 and bolt P/N 330A22-0135-20, MGB suspension bar left-hand side (LH) rear fitting P/N 330A22-2702-06 and bolt P/N 330A22-0135-20, or MGB suspension bar front bolt P/N 330A22-0134-20 installed. \n\n(b) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD defines the unsafe condition as MGB suspension bar fittings and bolts remaining in service beyond their fatigue life. This condition could result in failure of an MGB attachment assembly, detachment of an MGB suspension bar, and subsequent loss of helicopter control. \n\n(c) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD becomes effective May 11, 2020. \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\t(1) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), review records to determine the total hours TIS of each MGB suspension bar RH and LH rear fitting. \n\t(i) For any RH rear fitting that has accumulated 1,470 or more total hours TIS, \n\n((Page 19082)) \n\nbefore further flight, remove from service the RH rear fitting and its bolts. \n\t(ii) For any RH rear fitting that has accumulated less than 1,470 total hours TIS, remove from service the RH rear fitting and its bolts before the fitting accumulates 1,470 total hours TIS. \n\t(iii) For any LH rear fitting that has accumulated 13,600 or more total hours TIS, before further flight, remove from service the LH rear fitting and its bolts. \n\t(iv) For any LH rear fitting that has accumulated less than 13,600 total hours TIS: \n\t(A) If a Major Inspection ''G'' has not been completed since the LH rear fitting has been installed, remove from service the LH rear bolts during the next Major Inspection ''G'' inspection; or \n\tNote 1 to paragraph (e)(1)(iv)(A) of this AD: Major Inspection ''G'' (7,500 hours TIS between overhauls) is defined in Maintenance Manual MET 05-29-00-601. \n\t(B) If a Major Inspection ''G'' has been completed since the LH rear fitting has been installed, before further flight, remove from service the LH rear bolts; and \n\t(C) Remove from service the LH rear fitting before the fitting accumulates 13,600total hours TIS. \n\t(2) Thereafter following paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, remove from service any RH rear fitting and its bolts at intervals not to exceed 1,470 hours TIS, remove from service any LH rear fitting at intervals not to exceed 13,600 hours TIS, and remove from service any LH rear bolts during each Major Inspection ''G.'' \n\t(3) During the next Major Inspection ''G,'' remove from service the MGB suspension bar front bolts. Thereafter, remove from service the front bolts during each Major Inspection ''G.'' \n\n(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Section, Rotorcraft Standards Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone 817-222-5110; email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. \n\t(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, the FAA suggests 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) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No. AS332- 01.00.90, Revision 0, dated November 21, 2018, which is not incorporated by reference, contains additional information about the subject of this AD. For service information identified in this AD, 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 https://www.airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. You may view the referenced service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. \n\t(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (previously European Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD No. 2018-0260, dated December 3, 2018. You may view the EASA AD on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2019-1015. \n\n(h) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6320 Main Rotor Gearbox. \n\n\n\tIssued on March 27, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-07138 Filed 4-3-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P